The Thesis describe my studies based on self-assembly and co-assembly of block copolymer micelles that I conducted at the Department of Physical and Macro- molecular Chemistry at the Charles University, Prague in the research group of my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Karel Procházka, DrSc. The Thesis based on my publications and consists of four parts. Here I studied the formation of polymeric nanoparticles in aqueous solutions formed by polyelectrolytes with hydrophobic backbones by a combination of several experimental methods. The achieved results enabled me to explain the structure and properties of studied self- and co-assembled nanoparticles and to outline the decisive trends of their behavior. The spontaneous formation, sol- ubility and stability of complex nanoparticles depend not only on the electrostatic attractive forces but also on the hydrophobic effects. As the enthalpy-to-entropy interplay is very complex, a number of external factors such as temperature, pH, salinity and concentration affect the assembling process and structure of formed nanoparticles. 1

<p>Synthetic carbohydrate carrying polymers have gained substantial attention recently due to their biocompatibility and their wide range of applications such as targeted drug delivery systems, gene therapy and cell-specific biomedical materials. The overall objective of this research is to develop novel carbohydrate bearing polymers through modification of polyvinylamine (PVAm) backbone with galactose groups and to discover potential applications for this new category of glycopolymers.</p> <p>PVAm-g-galactose (PVAm-GAL) with various molecular weights and grafting extents were prepared and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and potentiometric and conductometric titration. Bonding of PVAm-GAL with phenylboronic acid modified PVAm (PVAm-PBA) and phenylboronate modified surfaces were studied on a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Multilayer assembly of alternating layers of PVAm-GAL and PVA-PBA was formed on the silica sensor.</p> <p>Interaction of PVAm-GAL with RCA₁₂₀ lectin, a galactose specific protein, was studied on a silica sensor using QCM-D. Galactose binding proteins are overexpressed in hepatocyte and have been widely exploited for targeting the liver tissue with the help of galactosylated polymeric carriers. RCA₁₂₀lectin shows spontaneous adsorption on galactose rich surfaces obtained by the adsorption of PVAm-GAL on silica sensors. Association constant of the interaction was calculated . Effect of pretreatment with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was also examined.</p> <p>Cationic polymers can form polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with negatively charged DNA, resulting in formation of nano-sized complexes for gene delivery purposes. PECs based on PVAm-GAL and different DNA samples were prepared and their physicochemical properties were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic mobility measurements. Furthermore, PVAm-GAL was studied as coating for Ca-alginate beads which are widely used for cell encapsulation purposes. PVAm-GAL can strengthen the capsule’s surface and increase the physicochemical stability of the beads against chemical degradations. PVAm-GAL coated alginate beads successfully survived treatment with sodium citrate and high ionic strength solutions.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The use of cell transplantation to treat enzyme deficiency disorders is limited by the immune response targeted against foreign tissue or the use of life-long immunosuppressants. Hiding cells from the immune system in an encapsulation device is promising. Cells encapsulated within an anionic calcium alginate hydrogel bead are protected through a semi-permeable membrane formed by polycation, poly-L-lysine (PLL). A final layer of alginate is added to hide the cationic PLL surface but this has proved to be difficult creating capsules which are prone to fibrotic overgrowth, blocking exchange of nutrients, waste and therapeutic enzymes through the capsule. For long term applications these capsules need to be both biocompatible and mechanically robust. This thesis aims to address the biocompatibility issue of high cationic surface charge by synthesizing polycations of reduced charge using N-(3- aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride (APM) and N-(2- hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPM) and study the associated mechanical properties of the capsules using micropipette aspiration. Micropipette aspiration was applied and validated for alginate based capsules (gel and liquid core) to quantify stiffness. Varying ratios of APM were used to control the overall charge of the polycations formed while HPM was incorporated as a neutral, hydrophilic, nonfouling comonomer. The molecular weight (MW) was controlled by using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The biocompatibility of these polymers was tested by cell adhesion and proliferation of 3T3 fibroblasts onto APM/HPM copolymer functionalized surfaces and by solution toxicity against C2C12 myoblasts. The ability for the APM/HPM copolymers to bind to alginate and form capsules was also assessed, along with the integrity and stiffness of the capsule membrane with or without additional covalent cross-linking by reactive polyanion, poly(methacrylic acid-co-2-vinyl-4,4- dimethylazlactone) (PMV60). Thermo-responsive block copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 2- hydroxyethylacrylamide (HEA) were also synthesized as potential drug delivery nanoparticles, showing control over micelle morphology with varying NIPAM to HEA ratios. / Thesis / Doctor of Science (PhD) / The treatment of enzyme deficiency disorders by cell transplantation is limited by the immune attack of foreign tissue in absence of immunosuppressants. Cells protected in an encapsulation device has shown promise. Poly-L-lysine, a widely used membrane material in these protective capsules, binds to the anionic gel entrapping living cells because it is highly cationic. The high cationic charge is difficult to hide causing the immune system to build tissue around the capsule, preventing the encapsulated cells from exchanging nutrients and therapeutic enzymes. This thesis aims to replace poly-L-lysine by synthesizing a series of more biocompatible materials of decreasing cationic charge. These materials were studied for the ability to support tissue growth and form stable capsules. The membrane strength was measured using an aspiration method validated for these types of capsules. Reducing the cationic charge of the materials increased the biocompatibility of the capsule membrane but also made for weaker membranes.

Yes / The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of cross-linker free polyelectrolyte complex formation at the nanoscale between carrageenan (CAR) and protamine (PROT). The properties of CAR/PROT nanoparticles (NPs) were dependent on the carrageenan type: kappa (KC), iota (IC) and lambda (LC), concentration of components, addition of divalent cations, weight mixing ratio (WMR) of constituents and mode of component addition. In the case of 0.1% w/v solutions, IC-based NPs had the smallest particle sizes (100-150nm) and low polydispersity indices (0.1-0.4). A decrease in the solution concentration from 0.1% to 0.05% w/v enabled the formation of KC/PROT NPs. All carrageenans exhibited the ability to form NPs with surface charge ranging from -190 to 40mV. The inclusion of divalent cations caused an increase in the particle size and zeta potential. Infrared analysis confirmed the presence of a complex between CAR and PROT and showed that IC chains undergo structural changes when forming NPs. Colloidal stability of NPs was related to the initial surface charge of particles and was time- and pH-dependent. IC was found to be the most suitable type of CAR when forming nanoplexes with PROT.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:42:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ClaudioLV.pdf: 1496908 bytes, checksum: 9da02c26d9351b21019488117fc27924 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-05-28 / Dispersions composed of polyelectrolyte complexes based on chitosan and poly(methacrylic acid), PMAA, were obtained by the dropping method and template polymerization. The effect of molecular weight of PMAA and ionic strength on the formation of chitosan/poly(methacrylic acid), CS/PMAA, complexes was evaluated using the dropping method. The increase in molecular weight of PMAA inhibited the formation of insoluble complexes, while the increase in ionic strength &#64257;rst favored the formation of the complex followed by inhibiting it at higher concentrations. The polyelectrolyte complexation was strongly dependent on macromolecular dimensions, both in terms of molecular weight and of coil expansion/contraction driven by polyelectrolyte effect. The resultant particles from dropping method and template polymerization were characterized as having regions with different charge densities: chitosan predominating in the core and poly(methacrylic acid) at the surface, the particles being negatively charged, as a consequence. Albumin was adsorbed on templatepolymerized CS/PMAA complexes (after crosslinking with glutardialdehyde) and pH was controlled in order to obtain two conditions: (i) adsorption of positively charged albumin, and (ii) adsorption of albumin at its isoelectric point. Adsorption isotherms and zeta potential measurements showed that albumin adsorption was controlled by hydrogen bonding/van der Waals interactions and that brushlike structures may enhance adsorption of albumin on these particles / Dispers?es formadas a partir de complexos polieletrol?ticos de quitosana e de poli(?cido metacr?lico), PMAA, foram obtidas tanto pelo m?todo de gotejamento, como pelo m?todo de polimeriza??o em molde. O efeito da massa molar do PMAA e da for?a i?nica na forma??o dos complexos de quitosana/poli(?cido metacr?lico), CS/PMAA, foi avaliado usando o m?todo de gotejamento. O aumento da massa molar do PMAA inibiu a forma??o dos complexos insol?veis, enquanto o aumento da for?a i?nica primeiramente favoreceu a forma??o dos complexos, depois a inibiu, em altas concentra??es de eletr?litos de baixa massa molar. A complexa??o dos polieletr?litos foi fortemente dependente das dimens?es macromoleculares, tanto em termos da massa molar quanto do efeito de expans?o/contra??o dos novelos, devido ao efeito polieletrol?tico. As part?culas resultantes tanto do m?todo de gotejamento, como da polimeriza??o em molde foram caracterizadas por apresentarem regi?es com diferentes densidades de carga: a quitosana predominantemente presente na regi?o central e o poli(?cido metacr?lico), na superf?cie, sendo, portanto, as part?culas carregadas negativamente. A albumina foi adsorvida nos complexos de CS/PMAA obtidos por polimeriza??o em molde (depois de sofrerem reticula??o covalente usando glutaralde?do) e o pH foi controlado a &#64257;m de se obter duas condi??es: (i) adsor??o de albumina carregada positivamente e (ii) adsor??o de albumina em seu ponto isoel?trico. As isotermas de adsor??o e as medidas de potencial zeta mostraram que a adsor??o da albumina foi controlada por liga??es de hidrog?nio/intera??es de van der Waals e que as estruturas em forma de escova puderam aumentar a adsor??o da albumina nessas part?culas

Afin de répondre à une demande toujours croissante en capteurs, des systèmes de mesures optiques permettant la détection de récepteurs naturels ou synthétiques sur des substrats inorganiques ont été élaborés. Par résonance des plasmons de surface (RPS), nous avons montré que des films minces à base de copolymères de N-(acryloxysuccinimide) et de dérivés acrylates de poly (éthylène glycol) ou qu'un film mince de polyglycidol présentaient une résistance accrue à l'adsorption non-spécifique des protéines et qu'ils permettaient un greffage covalent de biomolécules par l'intermédiaire de leurs groupements réactifs respectifs. Un nouveau capteur basé sur la technologie des réseaux de Bragg en angle gravés sur une fibre optique a ensuite été développé et caractérisé grâce à l'emploi de films multicouches présentant des propriétés sélectives et réversibles de reconnaissance par formation de complexes d'inclusion entre des polymères de cyclodextrine et des dérivés de l'adamantane. A partir de cette fibre optique, il a aussi été possible de suivre en temps réel les transition de conformation interfaciale de chaînes de poly (acide acrylique) immobilisée de façon covalente au support en fonction du pH. Pour les deux approches, multicouche et covalente, des biocapteurs pour la détection de l'albumine de sérum bovin (BSA) ont été réalisés. De plus, les propriétés d'inclusion des cyclodextrines ont aussi été mises à profit pour complexer des petites molécules hydrophobes telles que le toluène pour élaborer un capteur chimique. Enfin, afin d'éviter l'utilisation d'un matériel biologique, des polymères à empreinte moléculaire (MIP) ont aussi été développés. La sélectivité, la spécificité et la sensibilité des films minces envers la molécule cible d'acide gallique, ont été évaluées par voltammétrie cyclique. Les résultats obtenus permettent d'affirmer que ces polymères se comportent comme de véritables récepteurs artificiels / To answer to an always increasing request in sensors, optical measurement systems allowing the detection of natural or synthetic receptors on inorganic substrates were elaborated. By Plasmon Surface Resonance (SPR), we showed that thin films constituted with copolymers of N-(acryloxysuccinimide) and poly (ethylene glycol) acrylates derivatives or that a thin film of polyglycidol presented a strong resistance in non-specific protein adsorption and that they allowed a covalent grafting of biomolecules through their respective reagent groupings. A new sensor, a tilted fiber Bragg gratings was then developed and characterized by using multilayers films presenting selective and reversible properties of recognition by forming inclusion complexes between polymers of cyclodextrine and adamantine derivatives. From this optical fiber, it was also possible to follow in real time interfacial conformation transition, according to the pH, of poly(acrylic acid) chains immobilized covalently on the substrate. For both approaches, biosensors for the detection of bovin serum albumin (BSA) were realized. Furthermore, the inclusion properties of cyclodextrine compounds allowed also the complexation of small hydrophobic molecules such as toluene, which forming chemical sensors. Finally, to avoid the use of a biological material, molecular imprinted polymers (MIP) were also developed. Their selectivity, specificity and sensibility toward gallic acid, the target molecule, were estimated by cyclic voltammetry. The results confirm that these polymers can be considered as artificial receptors

Les pathologies vasculaires représentent aujourd’hui l’une des principales causes de mortalité mondiale et leur nombre ne cesse d’augmenter. Les greffons autologues (disponibilité faible) et les prothèses synthétiques inadaptées pour des vaisseaux de diamètre inférieur à 6 mm ne répondent pas à la demande et il existe aujourd’hui, un réel besoin en substitut vasculaire pour les petits vaisseaux. Ainsi, le concept de l’ingénierie vasculaire semble très prometteur. Cette approche est fondée sur l’utilisation de matrices « scaffold » associées à une composante cellulaire pour construire, dans des conditions environnementales adaptées, un vaisseau qui réponde et réagisse aux contraintes physiologiques. Dans cet objectif, la fonctionnalisation d’une media vasculaire constituée de cellules musculaires lisses (CML) est prérequise. Aux CML matures qui ne sont pas de bons candidats (perte de leur phénotype contractile lors de la culture), nous avons identifié les cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSM) de la gelée de Wharton (tissu conjonctif du cordon ombilical) comme source cellulaire majeure. Leur facilité de récupération, leur présence en grand nombre, leur faible immunogénicité et leur capacité de prolifération et différenciation en font d’excellents candidats en ingénierie tissulaire. Dans ce travail nous avons déterminé les conditions favorables à l’obtention d’un phénotype CML fonctionnelles et montré l’impact de différents paramètres environnementaux (apport en oxygène, facteurs de croissance, teneur en sérum…) sur le comportement des CSM de la gelée de Wharton. Nous avons pu montrer que 1) ces cellules étaient capables de se différencier en cellules au phénotype contractile comparable à celui des CML matures. 2) L’utilisation des films multicouches de polyéléctrolytes (FMP) en tant que support d’adhérence cellulaire a montré que les CSM de la gelée de Wharton avaient un comportement spécifique selon la charge de surface conduisant vers une cultures tridimensionnelle inadaptée sur (PAH-PSS)3 PAH et en monocouche sur films (PAH-PSS)4, 3) Ces cellules pouvaient être cultivées sur des hydrogels d’alginate fonctionnalisés par les FMP pour fournir un feuillet cellulaire susceptible de recréer une media vasculaire. / Vascular diseases represent today one of the leading causes of global mortality and the number is increasing. Autologous transplants (limited availability) and synthetic prostheses unsuitable for vessels with a diameter less than 6 mm are not sufficient and there is now a real need of vascular substitute for small vessels. Thus, the concept of vascular engineering seems very promising. This approach is based on the use of "scaffold" associated with a cellular component to build in suitable environmental conditions, a vessel that reacts with the physiological constraints. To this aim, the functionalization of an incorporated media vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) is a prerequisite. Insteag of using Mature CML which are not good candidates (loss of contractile phenotype in culture), we identified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from Wharton's jelly (connective tissue of the umbilical cord) as a major cellular source. Their easiness of recovery, their presence in large numbers, their low immunogenicity, their proliferation and differentiation capacity make them excellent candidates for tissue engineering. In this work we determined the conditions for obtaining a functional CML phenotype and showed the impact of different environmental parameters (oxygen level, growth factors, serum content ...) on the behavior of CSM jelly Wharton. We have shown that: 1) these cells were able to differentiate into cells in contractile phenotype comparable to that of mature SMC. 2) The use of multilayer films of polyelectrolytes as cell adhesion support has shown that MSCs from the Wharton jelly had a specific behavior according to surface charge leading to an inappropriate three-dimensional cultures (PAHPSS)3-PAH and monolayer films on (PAH-PSS)4, 3) These cells could be grown on functionalized alginate hydrogels to provide a cellular sheet which may recreate a vascular media

Nous étudions la structure des solutions concentrées de polyélectrolytes (PE). Celle-ci n’a fait l’objet que de rares études expérimentales et aucun ordre d'orientation n'a jamais pu être observé dans les solutions de PE flexibles et semi-flexibles, bien que des travaux théoriques, basés sur l’approche d’Onsager, prévoient l'apparition d'une phase nématique aux fortes concentrations. Nous avons mesuré la position q* dans l'espace réciproque du pic présent dans la fonction de corrélation des solutions de PE fortement chargés obtenue par diffusion de rayonnement (DXPA et DNPA), et avons confronté sa variation avec la concentration c aux lois d'échelles théoriques q*~ca. Nous avons combiné des très fortes concentrations avec une haute résolution spatiale. La rigidité intrinsèque du PE est le paramètre clef de l’étude. En effet, le PSS, PE flexible, présente 3 régimes déjà connus : a=1/2 -régime semi-dilué- a=1/4 -régime concentré- un régime « ionomère » aux plus fortes concentrations pour lequel a=0. Le PDADMAC, PE semi-flexible, présente un comportement plus original puisque 4 régimes se succèdent : régimes semi-dilué et concentré avec a=1/2 et 1/4, puis deux régimes pour lesquels a=1 puis 1/2 qui sont totalement inédits. Le PaMSS, de rigidité intrinsèque intermédiaire, présente un comportement ambivalent, puisque les régimes semi-dilué et concentré précèdent un régime où a=1, puis un comportement « ionomère ». Nous introduisons un modèle simple permettant d'interpréter la succession des régimes a=1 puis 1/2 par l'apparition d'un ordre d'orientation. Nous discutons aussi les différences observées par DXPA et DNPA, et le rôle de la force ionique, variée par ajout de sel. / The structure of concentrated polyelectrolyte (PE) solutions is studied. There is a lack of experimental data on these systems. Specifically, no orientational order has ever been observed in solutions of flexible or semi-flexible PE, even though the existence of a nematic phase has been theoretically predicted at high concentration. We have measured the position q* in the reciprocal space of the peak that is present in the correlation function of aqueous solutions of highly charged PE, obtained by scattering measurements (SAXS and SANS). We combined high spatial resolution and a very wide concentration range to compare the variation of q* versus the concentration c, with the predicted scaling laws q*~ca. The intrinsic stiffness of PE is the key parameter of our study. Indeed, PSS, a flexible PE, exhibits 3 regimes already described: a=1/2 -semi-dilute regime- a=1/4 -concentrated regime- an “ionomeric” regime at extreme concentrations, for which a=0. PDADMAC is semi-flexible and exhibits a unique series of exponents involving 4 regimes: semi-dilute and concentrated regimes with a=1/2 and 1/4, followed by 2 regimes associated with a=1 and 1/2 respectively, which are new and unpredicted for PE solutions. PaMSS has an intermediate intrinsic stiffness, and exhibits hybrid behaviour. The semi-dilute and concentrated regimes are followed by an a=1 regime, and then an “ionomeric” regime for extreme concentrations. We introduce a simple model which explains the succession of the a=1 and 1/2 regimes as the appearance of an orientational order. We also discuss the differences between SAXS and SANS measurements, and the role played by the ionic strength, when salt is added.

Macromolecular biomaterials often require covalent crosslinking to achieve adequate stability and mechanical strength for their given application. However, the use of auxiliary chemicals may be associated with long-term toxicity in the body. Oppositely-charged polyelectrolytes (PEs) have the advantage that they can self-crosslink electrostatically and those derived from marine organisms are an inexpensive alternative to glycosaminoglycans present in the extracellular matrix of human tissues. A range of different combinations of PEs and preparation conditions have been reported in the literature. However, although there has been some work on complex formation between chitosan (CS) and carrageenan (CRG), much of the work undertaken has ignored the effect of pH on the consequent physicochemical properties of self-crosslinked polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) gels, films and scaffolds. Chitosan is a positively-charged polysaccharide with NH3+ side groups derived from shrimp shells and, carrageenan is a negatively-charged polysaccharide with OSO3- side groups derived from red seaweed. These abundant polysaccharides possess advantageous properties such as biodegradability and low toxicity. However, at present, there is no clear consensus on the cell binding properties of CS and CRG or CS-CRG PEC materials. The aim of this study was to explore the properties of crosslinker-free PEC gels, solvent-cast PEC films and freeze-dried PEC scaffolds based on CS and CRG precursors for medical applications. The objective was to characterise the effect of pH of the production conditions on the physicochemical and biological properties of CS-CRG PECs. Experimental work focused on the interaction between PEs, the composition of PECs, the rheological properties of PEC gels and the mechanical properties of PEC films and scaffolds. In addition, cell and protein attachment to the PEC films was assessed to determine their interactions in a biological environment. For biomedical applications, these materials should ideally be stable when produced such that they can be processed to form either a film or a scaffold and have mechanical properties comparable to those of collagenous soft tissues. FTIR was used to confirm PEC formation. Zeta potential measurements indicated that the PECs produced at pH 2-6 had a high strength of electrostatic interaction with the highest occurring at pH 4-5. This resulted in stronger intra-crosslinking in the PEC gels which led to the formation of higher yield, solid content, viscosity and fibre content in PEC gels. The weaker interaction at pH 7-12 resulted in higher levels of CS incorporated into the complex and the formation of inter-crosslinking through entanglements between PEC units. This resulted in the production of strong and stiff PEC films and scaffolds appropriate for soft tissue implants. The PECs prepared at pH 7.4 and 9 also exhibited low swelling and mass loss, which was thought to be due to the high CS content and entanglements. From the range of samples tested, the PECs produced at pH 7.4 appeared to show the optimum combination of yield, stability and homogeneity for soft tissue implants. Biological studies were performed on CS, CRG and PECs prepared at pH 3, 5, 7.4 and 9. All of the PE and PEC films were found to be non-cytotoxic. When the response of three different cell types and a high binding affinity protein (tropoelastin) was evaluated; it was found that the CS-CRG PEC films displayed anti-adhesive properties. Based on these experimental observations and previous studies, a mechanistic model of the anti-adhesive behaviour of PEC surfaces was proposed. It was therefore concluded that the CS-CRG PECs produced might be suitable for non-biofouling applications.

La cellulose étant l'un des biopolymères les plus abondants, elle est employée dans ce travail de thèse sous sa forme nano-fibrille (2 à 5nm de diamètre et plusieurs microns de long) pour préparer des nanomatériaux durables. Les microfibrilles de cellulose (MFC) chargées positivement ou négativement sont assemblées en couches minces dans ces nanomatériaux par la méthode « Layer by Layer » (LbL) par trempage, pulvérisation ou spin assisté. Les différences entre ces films LbL à base de MFC et les films LbL à base de polymères standards sont discutées brièvement et sont reliées à la forme nanofibrillaire de la cellulose. Les MFC réagissent comme des nano-objets anisotropes et rigides. Les films LbL de MFC sont ensuite intégrés à des membranes de séparation, entre la couche polymérique de séparation et le support poreux, pour améliorer le débit à travers ces membranes. Ces films minces sont également déposés sur des aérogels de cellulose pour améliorer la stabilité de ces aérogels en milieu aqueux. Dans les deux applications, les résultats était encouragent et montre une validation de principe. / Cellulose, one of the most abundant biopolymers, is used in this PhD work in its nanofibrillated form, 2-5 nm in diameter and microns long, to prepare sustainable nanomaterials. Both positively and negatively charged microfibrillated celluloses (MFC) are assembled in these nanomaterials using the versatile Layer by Layer (LbL) assembly methods: dipping, spray assisted-deposition and spin-assisted deposition. A brief comparison between the MFC based LbL assembled films and the standard polymeric LbL films is carried out. Thedifferences between the two species are related to the fibrillar form of cellulose. MFC behaves like rigid anisotropic nano-objects. MFC LbL assembled films are then integrated in separation membranes between active polymeric separation layers and a mechanically stable porous support to improve the flux through these membranes. MFC LbL assembled films are also coated on cellulosic aerogels to improve the wet stability of these aerogels. In both cases, results were encouraging and showed a proof of concept.