Light scattering and in vitro biocompatibility studies of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) derivatives with amino-acid-dependent groups

Two poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) families with amino‐acid residues (glycine, β‐alanine, γ‐aminobutiric acid and ϵ‐aminocaproic acid) on the base of the co‐polymer N‐vinyl pyrrolidone and allyl‐glycidyl ether (VP‐AGE) and on the base of epoxidized PVP (EPVP) were synthesized. Static and dynamic light scattering measurements of these PVP derivatives in water showed that their structure/ behavior were similar to that of PVP. The bioreactivity was also similar to that of PVP. Further investigation of the immunoreactive properties of the derivatives in in vitro proliferation assays with fresh normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes led to the determination of a costimulatory profile for each derivative in terms of polyclonal stimulation, specific antigen presentation, and immunoglobulin secretion. This profile allows the selection of an appropriate derivative as a carrier that would suit the immunoreactivity needs of the immobilized ligand. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 830–837, 2002