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Redox‐Responsive Degradable PEG Cryogels as Potential Cell Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering
Author(s) -
Dispinar Tugba,
Van Camp Wim,
De Cock Liesbeth J.,
De Geest Bruno G.,
Du Prez Filip E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.201100396
Subject(s) - maleimide , peg ratio , chemistry , amine gas treating , disulfide bond , dissolution , redox , chemical engineering , scaffold , tissue engineering , polymer chemistry , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , biomedical engineering , biochemistry , engineering , economics , medicine , finance
A Michael addition strategy involving the reaction between a maleimide double bond and amine groups is investigated for the synthesis of cryogels at subzero temperature. Low‐molecular‐weight PEG‐based building blocks with amine end groups and disulfide‐containing building blocks with maleimide end groups are combined to synthesize redox‐responsive PEG cryogels. The cryogels exhibit an interconnected macroporous morphology, a high compressive modulus and gelation yields of around 95%. While the cryogels are stable under physiological conditions, complete dissolution of the cryogels into water‐soluble products is obtained in the presence of a reducing agent (glutathione) in the medium. Cell seeding experiments and toxicologic analysis demonstrate their potential as scaffolds in tissue engineering.