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Temperature-sensitive star-shaped block copolymers hydrogels for an injection application: phase transition behavior and biocompatibility

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Abstract

A series of star-shaped poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-b–methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA–mPEG) block copolymers with varying PLGA/mPEG block weight ratios, mPEG block length, and arm numbers were synthesized and phase transition behaviors were investigated. Phase transition characteristics, such as critical gel concentration (CGC) and critical gel temperature (CGT), were closely related to the molecular structure of the star-shaped block copolymers. The CGC was mainly determined by the balance of hydrophobic PLGA and hydrophilic mPEG block (PLGA/mPEG block ratio). The CGTs showed a stronger dependence on mPEG block length and arm number. Also, the CGTs can be adjusted by adding mPEG homopolymer additives. The weight fraction of mPEG had a stronger influence on the CGT values than molecular weight of mPEG. In addition, the MTT assay and histological observations confirmed the acceptable biocompatibility of the star-shaped block copolymer. Hence, the star-shaped PLGA-mPEG block copolymer was a promising candidate as a novel injectable gel.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, HUST: 2010JC029. Thanks to the analytical and testing center of HUST for useful characterizations. The assistance in the measurement of GPC by Lihua Zhao, technician of the chemistry department of HUST, is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Mould Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, People’s Republic of China

    Lei Nie, Peng Zou, Shuibin Feng & Jinping Suo

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  1. Lei Nie
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  2. Peng Zou
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  3. Shuibin Feng
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  4. Jinping Suo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jinping Suo.

Additional information

Lei Nie and Peng Zou contributed equally to this study and should be regarded as co-first authors.

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Nie, L., Zou, P., Feng, S. et al. Temperature-sensitive star-shaped block copolymers hydrogels for an injection application: phase transition behavior and biocompatibility. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 24, 689–700 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4819-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4819-8

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