Nitric Oxide-Releasing Supramolecular Cellulose Nanocrystal/Silsesquioxane Foams

Author(s)

da Silva, Laura C. E. ; Goncalves, Maria do Carmo ; de Oliveira, Marcelo G.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS; v. 43, n. 9, p. 10-pg., 2022-03-17.

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-based foams are promising tissue engineering materials that may facilitate implant-tissue integration and allow localized and controlled drug delivery. Herein, hybrid CNC-based foams, which are ultralightweight (30-100 mg cm(-3)), highly porous (>95%), ominiphilic and superabsorbent (1500-3000 wt% of water and/or toluene uptake) are obtained by the in situ condensation of poly(ethylene glycol) ditriethoxysilyl (TES-PEG-TES) into a 3D network, where silsesquioxane nanoparticles (SS-NP) are the crosslinking nodes, and CNC are entrapped forming ionic interactions, in a supramolecular structure. In a new approach, using 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, sulfhydryl groups are inserted on the SS-NP periphery and S-nitrosated to enable the functionalization of SS-NP with S-nitrosothiol groups, which can nitric oxide (NO), in a process triggered by the hydration of the foams and modulated by their supramolecular structure. CNC-SS-PEG foams exhibit elevated thermal and structural stability, compressive strength compatible with various soft human tissues, and NO release rates (1-18 pmol mg(-1) min(-1)) within the range of the beneficial NO actions. Thus, the CNC-SS-PEG foams herein described represent a new platform of supramolecular hybrid materials for localized delivery of NO, with potential uses in tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/14142-5 - Hybrid hydrogels for local and prolonged nitric oxide release
• Grantee: Laura Caetano Escobar da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/02414-5 - Topical and absorbable biomaterials for the local nitric oxide release
• Grantee: Marcelo Ganzarolli de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants