• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.548-555
• /
• 2000

A hydrogel, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N, N-dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide), sensitive to both pH and temperature, was synthesized and characterized at $^13∼23{\circ}C$ and pH of 10.3∼12.3. The gel was more transparent and mechanically stronger at lower preparation temperature and pH. Large pores observed in scanning electron microscope seem to be responsible for the lower biomolecular separation efficiency. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) decreased at a higher polymerization temperature. At $25^{\circ}C$, which is lower than the LCST, the gel was swollen regardless of the solution pH. At $40^{\circ}C$, however, the gel was swollen at neutral and acidic pHs even though the temperature was higher than the LCST. The gel collapse pH, defined as the point at which the gel made its largest volume decrease per unit pH increment, increased as the gel preparation temperature increased.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.264-268
• /
• 2001

Aggregates of specific cells are often regarded as better from in artificial organs and mammalian cell bioreactors in terms of cell-specific functionality. In this study, the morphology and liver specific functions of freshly harvested primary rat hepatocytes, which were cultivated as spheroids and entrapped in a synthetic thermo-reversible extracellular matrix, were examined and compared to a control (hepatocytes in single cell form). A copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide(98 mole % in feed) and acrylic acid (poly (NiPAAm-co-AAC)), a thermo- reversible copolymer gel ma- trix, was used to entrap hepatocytes either in spheroids or single cells. During a 7-day culture pe-riod, the spheroids maintained higher viability and produced albumin and urea at a relatively con-stant rate, while, the single cell culture showed a slight increase in cell numbers and a reduction in albumin secretion Hepatocytes cultrured as spheroids present a potentially useful three-dimensional cell culture system for application in bioartificial liver device.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.922-927
• /
• 2001

In an effort to regulate the mammalian cell behavior in entrapment with a gel, we have functionalized hydrogels with the putative cell-binding (-Arg-Gly-Asp-)(RGD) domain. An adhesion molecule of Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) peptides, a cell recognition ligand, was induced into thermo-reversible hydrogels, composed of N-isopropylacrylamide with small amounts of acrylic acid (typically 2-5 $mol\%$ in feed), as a biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM). The GRGDS containing a p(NiPAAm-co-AAc) copolymer gel was studied in vitro for its ability to promote the spreading and viability of cells by introducing a GRGDS sequence. Hydrogel with no adhesion molecule was a poor ECM for adhesion, permiting spreading of only $3\%$ of the seeded cells for 36h. By immobilizing the peptide linkage into the hydrogel, the conjugation of RGD promoted $50\%$ of proliferation for 36h. However, the GREDS sequence, nonadhesive peptide linkage, conjugated hydrogel showed only $5\%$ of the seeded cell for the same time period. In addition, with the serum-free medium, only GRGDS peptides conjugated to hydrogel was able to promotecell spreading, while there was no cell proliferation in the hydrogel without GRGDS. Thus, the GRGDS peptide-conjugated thermo-reversible hydrogel specifically mediated the cell spreading. This result suggests that utilization of peptide sequences conjugating with the cell-adhesive motifs can enhance the degree of cell surface interaction and influence the long-term formation of ECM in vitro.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.173-177
• /
• 2012

A drug delivery system (DDS) was prepared with a temperature and pH-responsive hydrogel. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were prepared by radical polymerization for the temperature and pH-responsive hydrogels. MWCNTs were employed to improve both the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the PVA/PAAc/PNIPAAm/MWCNT nanocomposite hydrogels. Various amounts of MWCNTs (0, 0.5, 1 and 3 wt%) were added to the nanocomposite hydrogels. PVA/PAAc/PNIPAAm/MWCNT nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized with a scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties were measured with a universal testing machine. Swelling and releasing properties of nanocomposite hydrogels were investigated at various temperatures and pHs. Temperature and pH-responsive release behavior was found to be dependent on the content of MWCNTs in nanocomposite hydrogels.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.2-8
• /
• 2003

The self-assembly of polymers can lead to supramolecular systems and is related to the their functions of material and life sciences. In this article, self-assembly of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films, polymer micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, and their biomedical applications are described. LB surfaces with a well-ordered and layered structure adhered more cells including platelet, hepatocyte, and fibroblast than the cast surfaces with microphase-separated domains. Extensive morphologic changes were observed in LB surface-adhered cells compared to the cast films. Amphiphilic block copolymers, consisting of poly(${\gamma}$-benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) as the hydrophobic part and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) [or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)] as the hydrophilic one, can self-assemble in water to form nanoparticles presumed to be composed of the hydrophilic shell and hydrophobic core. The release characteristics of hydrophobic drugs from these polymeric nanoparticles were dependent on the drug loading contents and chain length of the hydrophobic part of the copolymers. Achiral hydrophobic merocyanine dyes (MDs) were self-assembled in copolymeric nanoparticles, which provided a chiral microenvironment as red-shifted aggregates, and the circular dichroism (CD) of MD was induced in the self-assembled copolymeric nanoparticles.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.294-299
• /
• 2005

Thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) was covalently patterned by masked el electron beam irradiation. Introduction of PIPAAm on tissue culture polystyrene dish was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and ESCA measurements. Hepatocytes were cultured at $37^{circ}C$ on these surfaces. Cells adhered on PIPAAm-grafted domains were detached by reducing culture temperature to $20^{circ}C$. Endothelial cells were then seeded and cultured on the same surfaces. Seeded endothelial cells were selectively attached on hepatocytes detached and PIPAAm-grafted domains and could be co-cultured with hepatocytes on the same culture dishes with clear pattern. This co-culture method enabled long-term co-culture of hepatocytes with endothelial cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2335-2340
• /
• 2014

Paclitaxel is hydrophobic in nature and is recognized as a highly toxic anticancer drug, showing adverse effects in normal body sites. In this study, we developed a polymeric nano drug carrier for safe delivery of the paclitaxel to the cancer that releases the drug in a sustained manner and reduces side effects. N-isopropylacrylamide/vinyl pyrrolidone (NIPAAm/VP) nanoparticles were synthesized by radical polymerization. Physicochemical characterization of the polymeric nanoparticles was conducted using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance, which confirmedpolymerization of formulated nanoparticles. Drug release was assessed using a spectrophotometer and cell viability assays were carried out on the MCF-7 breast cancer and B16F0 skin cancer cell lines. NIPAAm/VP nanoparticles demonstrated a size distribution in the 65-108 nm range and surface charge measured -15.4 mV. SEM showed the nanoparticles to be spherical in shape with a slow drug release of ~70% in PBS at $38^{\circ}C$ over 96 h. Drug loaded nanoparticles were associated with increased viability of MCF-7 and B16F0 cells in comparison to free paclitaxel. Nano loaded paclitaxel shows high therapeutic efficiency by sustained release action for the longer period of time, i increasing its efficacy and biocompatibility for human cancer therapy. Therefore, paclitaxel loaded (NIPAAm/VP) nanoparticles may provide opportunities to expand delivery of the drug for clinical selection.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2014.02a
• /
• pp.429.2-429.2
• /
• 2014

ZnO nanowire is known as synthesizable and good mechanical properties. And, stimuli-responsive polymer is widely used in the application of tunable sensing device. So, we combined these characteristics to make precise tunable sensing devise. In this work, we investigate the dependence of ZnO nanowire alignment and morphology on si substrate using nanosphere template with various conditions via hydrothermal process. Also, pH-temperature dependant tuning ability of nanostructure was studied. The brief experimental scheme is as follow. First, Zno seed layer was coated on a si wafer ($20{\times}20mm$) by spin coater. And then $1.15{\mu}m$ sized close-packed PS nanospheres were formed on a cleaned si substrate by using gas-liquid-solid interfacial self-assembly method. After that, zinc oxide nanowires were synthesized using hydrothermal method. Before the wire growth, to specify the growth site, heat treatment was performed. Finally, NIPAM(N-Isopropylacrylamide) was coated onto as-fabricated nanostructure and irradiated by UV light to form the PNIPAM network. The morphology, structures and optical properties are investigated by FE-SEM(Field Emission Scanning electron Microscopy), XRD(X-ray diffraction), OM(Optical microscopy), and WCA(water contact angle).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.805-810
• /
• 2007

Molecular recognition for a specific cation depending on the change of the oxidation state of the metal catalyst component contained in the hydrogel network has been studied in a self-oscillating hydrogel. The selfoscillating hydrogels are synthesized by the copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), lead methacrylic acid (Pb(MAA)2), and Ru(bpy)3 2+ monomer as a metal catalyst component. The recognition for a specific cation (in this study, Ca2+ has been used) is characterized by the adsorbed amount of Ca2+ into the gel. The recognition of the gels for Ca2+ is higher at the temperature below the LCST, and also higher at the oxidized state than at reduced state of the metal catalyst component which corresponds to a more swollen state. Moreover, a propagating wave induced by a periodic change of the oxidation state with the diffusion phenomena in the oscillating hydrogel shows a possibility for temporal and site-specific molecular recognition due to the local swelling of the gel.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.359-365
• /
• 2008

We have fabricated a novel thermo-responsive nanofibrous surfaces by grafting PIPAAm by electron beam irradiation onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBV) nanofibrous mats. The electrospun PHBV nanofiber structures revealed randomly aligned fibers with average diameter of 400 nm. Increased atomic percent of nitrogen was observed on the PIPAAm-grafted PHBV mats after electron beam irradiation determined by ESCA. The amounts of PIPAAm-grafted onto PHBV films were $6.49{\mu}g/cm^2$ determined by ATR-FTIR. The PIPAAm-grafted surfaces exhibited decreasing contact angles by lowering the temperature from 37 to $20^{\circ}C$, while ungrafted PHBV surfaces had negligible contact angle change. This result indicates that PIPAAm surfaces, which are hydrophobic at the higher temperature, became markedly more hydrophilic in response to a temperature reduction due to spontaneous hydration of the surface-grafted PIPAAm. Thermo-responsive nanofibers showed good tissue compatibility. Cultured cells were well detached and recovered from the surfaces by changing culture temperature from 37 to $20^{\circ}C$.