Preparation of photoreactive azidophenyl hyaluronic acid derivative: Protein immobilization for medical applications

Photoreactive azidophenyl hyaluronic acid (Az-HA) derivative was synthesized to immobilize proteins such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). The photosensitizing group, 4-azidoaniline, was introduced to the carboxyl group of hyaluronic acid by a water soluble carbodiimide, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). To characterize the synthesized Az-HA, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR) and ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) absorbance spectroscopy were performed. We demonstrated protein immobilization by using fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated albumin (FITCBSA) on Az-HA derivative surfaces that were patterned with micro scale. Cytotoxicity and relative cell proliferation tests of the Az-HA derivative were performed on an MG-63 human osteoblast cell line for biocompatibility.