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A simple route to functionalising electrospun polymer scaffolds with surface biomolecules

Dziemidowicz, K; Brocchini, S; Williams, GR; (2021) A simple route to functionalising electrospun polymer scaffolds with surface biomolecules. International Journal of Pharmaceutics , 597 , Article 120231. 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120231. Green open access

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Abstract

Surface functionalisation of polymeric electrospun scaffolds with therapeutic biomolecules is often explored in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. However, the bioconjugation method must be carefully selected to prevent partial or full loss of activity of the biomolecule following chemical manipulation. Perfluorophenyl azide bearing a N‐hydroxysuccinimide (PFPA-NHS) active ester group is a versatile tool for UV-initiated covalent coupling of amine-containing molecules to hydrocarbon- based polymers, such as polydioxanone or polycaprolactone (PCL). This study therefore explored the feasibility of PFPA-NHS functionalisation of electrospun PCL scaffolds with model biomolecules. Protein conjugation was extensively explored using fluorescence staining and attachment studies, confirming the retention of amine coupling capability following photografting of PFPA-NHS to the PCL surface. The effect of the washing method used to remove unreacted PFPA was explored in Caco-2 cell viability studies, and it was determined that sonication washing is required to avoid cell death. A model enzyme, catalase, was then successfully attached to the surface of PCL scaffolds for potential applications in oncological photodynamic therapy. Catalase retained its enzymatic activity following attachment to the fibres and the majority of the enzyme (∼60%) remained bound to the fibre after incubation in an aqueous environment for six days. The anticipated prolonged presentation and sustained release of proteins as a result of PFPA-NHS conjugation could be advantageous in progressing protein-based therapies.

Type: Article
Title: A simple route to functionalising electrospun polymer scaffolds with surface biomolecules
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120231
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120231
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Electrospinning, nanofibre, surface functionalisation, conjugation, biologics
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy > Pharmaceutics
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10119569
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