Synthesis and characterization of glucosamine modified poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels via photopolymerization

This study presented the synthesis and characterization of glucosamine (GlcN) modified poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. The chemical structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. The morphology of hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that GlcN was successfully incorporated into PEG hydrogel network. Moreover, the data of the swelling ratio showed that the ratio of GlcN‐modified PEG hydrogels was lower than that of pure poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylated (PEGDA). Biocompatibility of unreacted GlcN monomer and GlcN‐modified hydrogels was also evaluated in vitro. Compared with glucosamine hydrochloride, 2 and 5 mM N‐acroloyl‐glucosamine monomer exhibited no toxicity against bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), while with the concentration increased to 10 mM, cell viability appeared to decrease. However, when BMSCs were encapsulated in GlcN‐modified hydrogels via photopolymerization method, cells remained vigorous viability. Metabolic activity of the encapsulated cells demonstrated GlcN‐modified hydrogels was favorable for cell proliferation. Compared with free GlcN, covalent binding GlcN showed lower cytotoxicity and higher cell proliferation properties. As a result, GlcN‐modified PEGDA hydrogels could be used as safe and injectable cell carriers for in situ tissue engineering applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013