Günter E. M. Tovar

Molecularly imprinted polymer nanospheres as synthetic affinity receptors obtained by miniemulsion polymerisation

Highly crosslinked polymer nanospheres composed of poly[(methacrylic acid)-co-(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)] and poly(EGDMA) have been synthesised by miniemulsion polymerisation in presence of a chiral molecular template, L- or D-Boc-phenylalanine anilid. The miniemulsions and the resulting microgels were characterised by surface tension measurements, gravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, 1 H and 13 C CP-MAS NMR, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller gas adsorption measurements. The efficiency of the non-covalent molecular imprinting was examined by binding experiments and quantified by UV absorption. The miniemulsions were converted to coagulate-free and stable latexes with a conversion of 98±2% and an apparent hydrodynamic particle diameter of 200 ± 20 nm. Molecular imprinting was most effective when a miniemulsion of molar imprinting was most effective when a miniemulsion of molar ration n MAA /n EGDMA = 0.25:1 was used for the microgel preparation. Enantioselective binding of the templates to the particles was observed. Binding of the L-enantiomer was four times greater in the L-imprinted polymer than in the non-imprinted polymer and 10 times than binding of the D-enantiomer in the L-imprinted microgels. This new method allows for a one-stage preparation of fully synthetic affinity receptors with a defined spherical shape and a high specific surface area due to their nanoscopic dimension.

Fabrication of 2D protein microstructures and 3D polymer–protein hybrid microstructures by two-photon polymerization

Two-photon polymerization (TPP) offers the possibility of creating artificial cell scaffolds composed of micro- and nanostructures with spatial resolutions of less than 1 µm. For use in tissue engineering, the identification of a TPP-processable polymer that provides biocompatibility, biofunctionality and appropriate mechanical properties is a difficult task. ECM proteins such as collagen or fibronectin, which could mimic native tissues best, often lack the mechanical stability. Hence, by generating polymer-protein hybrid structures, the beneficial properties of proteins can be combined with the advantageous characteristics of polymers, such as sufficient mechanical stability. This study describes three steps toward facilitated application of TPP for biomaterial generation. (1) The efficiency of a low-cost ps-laser source is compared to a fs-laser source by testing several materials. A novel photoinitiator for polymerization with a ps-laser source is synthesized and proved to enable increased fabrication throughput. (2) The fabrication of 3D-microstructures with both systems and the fabrication of polymer-protein hybrid structures are demonstrated. (3) The tissue engineering capabilities of TPP are demonstrated by creating cross-linked gelatin microstructures, which clearly forced porcine chondrocytes to adapt their cell morphology.

Isothermal titration calorimetry of molecularly imprinted polymer nanospheres

Ultrasensitive isothermal titration calorimetry was used to generate thermodynamic data to assess the binding properties of molecularly imprinted polymer microgels. Microgels were imprinted using L-boc-phenylalanine anilide (L-BFA) and then utilized in binding experiments with a variety of probe molecules, structurally closely related to the template molecule. Significant differences were observed between the binding enthalpy of the original template L-BFA and those of D-BFA, L-boc-phenylalanine, L-boc-tryptophane, and L-boc-tyrosine.

Binding of JAB1/CSN5 to MIF is mediated by the MPN domain but is independent of the JAMM motif.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) binds to c‐Jun activation domain binding protein‐1 (JAB1)/subunit 5 of COP9 signalosome (CSN5) and modulates cell signaling and the cell cycle through JAB1. The binding domain of JAB1 responsible for binding to MIF is unknown. We hypothesized that the conserved Mpr1p Pad1p N‐terminal (MPN) domain of JAB1 may mediate binding to MIF. In fact, yeast two hybrid (YTH) and in vitro translation/coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) analysis showed that a core MPN domain, which did not cover the functional JAB1/MPN/Mov34 metalloenzyme (JAMM) deneddylase sequence, binds to MIF comparable to full‐length JAB1. YTH and pull‐down analysis in conjunction with nanobead affinity matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry demonstrated that MIF(50–65) and MPN are sufficient to mediate MIF–JAB1 interaction, respectively. Finally, endogenous CoIP of MIF–CSN6 complexes from mammalian cells demonstrated that MPN is responsible for MIF–JAB1 binding in vivo, and, as CSN6 does not contain a functional JAMM motif, confirmed that the interaction does not require JAMM.

Methacrylated gelatin and mature adipocytes are promising components for adipose tissue engineering.

In vitro engineering of autologous fatty tissue constructs is still a major challenge for the treatment of congenital deformities, tumor resections or high-graded burns. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of photo-crosslinkable methacrylated gelatin (GM) and mature adipocytes as components for the composition of three-dimensional fatty tissue constructs. Cytocompatibility evaluations of the GM and the photoinitiator Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP) showed no cytotoxicity in the relevant range of concentrations. Matrix stiffness of cell-laden hydrogels was adjusted to native fatty tissue by tuning the degree of crosslinking and was shown to be comparable to that of native fatty tissue. Mature adipocytes were then cultured for 14 days within the GM resulting in a fatty tissue construct loaded with viable cells expressing cell markers perilipin A and laminin. This work demonstrates that mature adipocytes are a highly valuable cell source for the composition of fatty tissue equivalents in vitro. Photo-crosslinkable methacrylated gelatin is an excellent tissue scaffold and a promising bioink for new printing techniques due to its biocompatibility and tunable properties.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanospheres as Fully Synthetic Affinity Receptors

Synthetic polymer spheres with the ability for molecular recognition represent a promising alternative to affinity binding matrices using biological molecules. This chapter describes various methods for the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer spheres in the colloidal state. The synthesis, characterization, and performance of colloidal dispersions of molecularly imprinted polymer spheres and their application are discussed.

Desmosine-Inspired Cross-Linkers for Hyaluronan Hydrogels

We designed bioinspired cross-linkers based on desmosine, the cross-linker in natural elastin, to prepare hydrogels with thiolated hyaluronic acid. These short, rigid cross-linkers are based on pyridinium salts (as in desmosine) and can connect two polymer backbones. Generally, the obtained semi-synthetic hydrogels are form-stable, can withstand repeated stress, have a large linear-elastic range, and show strain stiffening behavior typical for biopolymer networks. In addition, it is possible to introduce a positive charge to the core of the cross-linker without affecting the gelation efficiency, or consequently the network connectivity. However, the mechanical properties strongly depend on the charge of the cross-linker. The properties of the presented hydrogels can thus be tuned in a range important for engineering of soft tissues by controlling the cross-linking density and the charge of the cross-linker.

Side chain thiol-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) by post-polymerization modification of hydroxyl groups: synthesis, crosslinking and inkjet printing

Polymers with a poly(ethylene glycol) backbone and mercaptomethyl side chains were synthesized by post-polymerization modification of hydroxymethyl side chains in three steps. As the starting point of the synthetic route, linear copolymers of ethylene oxide and glycidol with molar contents of glycidol repeating units of approximately 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% were used. The polymer-bound hydroxyl groups were converted to thiol groups in three steps, comprising tosylation, introduction of a triphenylmethyl protected thiol and thiol deprotection by acid treatment. The degree of thiol-functionalization was controlled by the degree of functionalization of the starting material. The degree of conversion of hydroxyl groups to thiol groups determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy was quantitative for copolymers with approximately 20 and 40% glycidol repeating units and 92, 81 and 87% for copolymers with approximately 60, 80 and 100% glycidol repeating units, respectively. Exemplarily, poly(glycidylthiol) obtained by conversion of poly(glycidol) was crosslinked with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) to yield hydrogels which supported adhesion and proliferation of human fibroblasts 48 h after cell seeding. Spatially defined and surface attached gel structures were fabricated by subsequent inkjet printing of poly(glycidylthiol) and PEG-DA solutions onto acrylated glass slides.

Blood-Vessel Mimicking Structures by Stereolithographic Fabrication of Small Porous Tubes Using Cytocompatible Polyacrylate Elastomers, Biofunctionalization and Endothelialization

Blood vessel reconstruction is still an elusive goal for the development of in vitro models as well as artificial vascular grafts. In this study, we used a novel photo-curable cytocompatible polyacrylate material (PA) for freeform generation of synthetic vessels. We applied stereolithography for the fabrication of arbitrary 3D tubular structures with total dimensions in the centimeter range, 300 µm wall thickness, inner diameters of 1 to 2 mm and defined pores with a constant diameter of approximately 100 µm or 200 µm. We established a rinsing protocol to remove remaining cytotoxic substances from the photo-cured PA and applied thio-modified heparin and RGDC-peptides to functionalize the PA surface for enhanced endothelial cell adhesion. A rotating seeding procedure was introduced to ensure homogenous endothelial monolayer formation at the inner luminal tube wall. We showed that endothelial cells stayed viable and adherent and aligned along the medium flow under fluid-flow conditions comparable to native capillaries. The combined technology approach comprising of freeform additive manufacturing (AM), biomimetic design, cytocompatible materials which are applicable to AM, and biofunctionalization of AM constructs has been introduced as BioRap® technology by the authors.

Quantification of Substitution of Gelatin Methacryloyl: Best Practice and Current Pitfalls

Cross-linkable gelatin methacryloyl (GM) is widely used for the generation of artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissue engineering. However, the quantification of modified groups in GM is still an unsolved issue, although this is the key factor for tailoring the physicochemical material properties. In this contribution, 1H-13C-HSQC NMR spectra are used to gain detailed structural information on GMs and of 2-fold modified gelatin containing methacryloyl and acetyl groups (GMAs). Distinctive identification of methacrylate, methacrylamide, and acetyl groups present in GMs and GMAs revealed an overlap of methacrylamide and modified hydroxyproline signals in the 1H NMR spectrum. Considering this, we suggest a method to quantify methacrylate and methacrylamide groups in GMs precisely based on simple 1H NMR spectroscopy with an internal standard. Quantification of acetylation in GMAs is also possible, yet, 2D NMR spectra are necessary. The described methods allow direct quantification of modified groups in gelatin derivatives, making them superior to other, indirect methods known so far.