Characterization of molecular transport in ultrathin hydrogel coatings for cellular immunoprotection

Abstract:

PEG hydrogels are routinely used in immunoprotection applications to hide foreign cells from a host immune system. Size-dependent transport is typically exploited in these systems to prevent access by macromolecular elements of the immune system while allowing the transport of low molecular weight nutrients. This work studies a nanoscale hydrogel coating for improved transport of beneficial low molecular weight materials across thicker hydrogel coatings while completely blocking transport of undesired larger molecular weight materials. Coatings composed of PEG diacrylate of molecular weight 575 and 3500 Da were studied by tracking the transport of fluorescently labeled dextrans across the coatings. The molecular weight of dextran at which the transport is blocked by these coatings are consistent with cutoff values in analogous bulk PEG materials. Additionally, the diffusion constants of 4 kDa dextrans …

Año de publicación:

2015

Keywords:

Fuente:

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