Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA-PEG-PLGA) triblock copolymer was synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization of LA and GA with PEG as macroinitiator and stannous octoate as catalyst. The amphiphilic copolymer self-assembled into micelles in aqueous solutions, and formed hydrogels as the increase of temperature at relatively high concentrations(> 15 wt%). The favorable degradability of the hydrogel was confirmed by in vitro and in vivo degradation experiments. The good cellular and tissular compatibilities of the thermogel were demonstrated. The excellent adhesion and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells endowed PLGA-PEGPLGA thermogelling hydrogel with fascinating prospect for cartilage tissue engineering.
With dicy- clohexylamine as initiator, the influence of monomer concentration, and reaction temperature and time on the polymerization of BLG NCA was examined. Three reagents were used for the deprotection of benzyl groups in PBLG, including hydrobromic acid/acetic acid (33 wt.%), NaOH aqueous solution and trimethylsilyl iodide (TMSI). Through examining the molecular weight of PLGA obtained using different deprotection methods, it was revealed that TMSI could minimize chain cleavage in the process of deprotection and retain the degree of polymerization. The biocompatibilities of PBLG obtained using different initiators were evaluated by a live/dead assay against L929 fibroblast cells. The in vitro cytotoxicities of PLGA obtained using different deprotecting agents were evaluated by a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The results revealed that both PBLG and PLGA exhibited good biocompatibilities.
HAN JinDongDING JianXunWANG ZhiChunYAN ShiFengZHUANG XiuLiCHEN XueSiYIN JingBo
