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Amphiphilic membranes with controlled mesh dimensions for insulin delivery +
Author(s) -
Kennedy Joseph P.,
Fenyvesi Gyorgyi,
Levy Richard P.,
Rosenthal Ken S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/1521-3900(200107)172:1<56::aid-masy56>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - membrane , amphiphile , moiety , copolymer , insulin , permeability (electromagnetism) , islet , biophysics , materials science , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , chemistry , polymer , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , engineering , endocrinology
A series of amphiphilic networks (membranes), consisting of hydrophilic poly( N,N ‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAAM) main chains crosslinked by hydrophobic telechelic polyisobutylene di‐ and trimethacrylates (MA‐PIB‐MA or ∅(PIB‐MA) 3 ) have been synthesized and used for the preparation of thin‐walled tubules suitable for the immunoisolation of porcine islets. The molecular weight cut‐off (MWCO) ranges, insulin and glucose diffusion coefficients and permeabilities of various membranes have been determined. The molecular weight of the PDMAAM moiety between two hydrophobic crosslinking points ( M c,hydrophilic ) controls permeability, which in turn can be controlled by synthesis conditions. The strengths and elongations of water‐swollen membranes crosslinked with ∅(PIB‐MA) 3 are superior by a factor of about two to those prepared with MA‐PIB‐MA. Based on the values from these experiments, a well‐defined membrane prepared with ∅(PIB‐MA) 3 was selected and used to encapsulate porcine islet cells. Gratifyingly, the encapsulated islet cells remain functional and viable, and cells within the tubule release insulin upon glucose challenge. These in vitro experiments are sufficiently promising to encourage us to continue our studies to develop a bioartificial pancreas.