Environment Controls Biomolecule Release from Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels
Moldable hydrogels composed of dynamic covalent bonds are attractive biomaterials for controlled release, as the dynamic exchange of bonds in these networks enables minimally invasive application via injection. Despite the growing interest in the biomedical application of dynamic covalent hydrogels, there is a lack of fundamental understanding as to how the network design and local environment control the release of biomolecules from these materials. In this work, we fabricated boronic-ester-based dynamic covalent hydrogels for the encapsulation and in vitro release of a model biologic (β-galactosidase). We systematically investigated the role of network properties and of the external environment (temperature and presence of competitive binders) on release from these dynamic covalent hydrogels. We observed that surface erosion (and associated mass loss) governed biomolecule release. In addition, we developed a statistical model of surface erosion based on the binding equilibria in a boundary layer that described the rates of release. In total, our results will guide the design of dynamic covalent hydrogels as biomaterials for drug delivery applications.
Marco-Dufort, Bruno,Willi, Jack,Vielba-Gomez, Felipe,Gatti, Francesco,Tibbitt, Mark W.
Malleable and Self-Healing Covalent Polymer Networks through Tunable Dynamic Boronic Ester Bonds
Despite numerous strategies involving dynamic covalent bond exchange for dynamic and self-healing materials, it remains a challenge to be able to tune the malleability and self-healing properties of bulk materials through simple small molecule perturbations. Here we describe the use of tunable rates of boronic ester transesterification to tune the malleability and self-healing efficiencies of bulk materials. Specifically, we used two telechelic diboronic ester small molecules with variable transesterification kinetics to dynamically cross-link 1,2-diol-containing polymer backbones. The sample cross-linked with fast-exchanging diboronic ester showed enhanced malleability and accelerated healing compared to the slow-exchanging variant under the same conditions. Our report demonstrates the possibility of transferring small molecule kinetics to dynamic properties of bulk solid material and may serve as a guide for the rational design of tunable dynamic materials.
Cromwell, Olivia R.,Chung, Jaeyoon,Guan, Zhibin
supporting information
p. 6492 - 6495
(2015/06/08)
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