Polyglycerol-based Mucus-inspired Hydrogels

The mucus layer is a hydrogel network that covers mucosal surfaces of the human body. Mucus has important protective properties that are related to its unique rheological properties, which are based on mucins being the main glycoprotein constituents. Mucin macromolecules entangle with one another and form a physical network that is instrumental for many important defense functions. Mucus derived from various human or animal sources is poorly defined and thus not suitable for many application purposes. Herein, a synthetic route was fabricated to afford a library of compositionally defined mucus-inspired hydrogels (MIHs). MIHs are synthesized by thiol oxidation to render disulfide bonds between the crosslinker ethoxylated trimethylolpropane tri(3-mercaptopropionate) (THIOCURE® ETTMP 1300) and the linear precursors, dithiolated linear polyglycerol (LPG(SH)(2) ) or polyethylene glycol (PEG(SH)(2) ) of different molecular weights. The mixing ratio of linear polymers versus crosslinker and the length of the linear polymer were varied, thus delivering a library of compositionally defined mucin-inspired constructs. Their viscoelastic properties were determined by frequency sweeps at 25°C and 37°C and compared to the corresponding behavior of native human mucus. Here, MIHs composed of a 10:1 ratio of LPG(SH)(2) and ETTMP 1300 proved to be the best comparable to human airway mucus rheology. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

• Sharma, A.
• Thongrom, B.
• Bhatia, S.
• von Lospichl, B.
• Addante, A.
• Graeber, S. Y.
• Lauster, D.
• Mall, M. A.
• Gradzielski, M.
• Haag, R.