Biomedical subjects

Doo Sung Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Doo Sung Lee.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

pH- and temperature-sensitive, injectable, biodegradable block copolymer hydrogels as carriers for paclitaxel.

Paclitaxel (PTX) was loaded into synthetic pH/T-sensitive block copolymer (OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM) solution with various concentrations. The phase diagram of PTX-loaded block copolymer solution shifted to lower temperature region compared to net block copolymer because of the salting-out effect of PTX. Release profiles of PTX showed sustained manner regardless of loading amount of PTX. To evaluate anti-tumor effect of PTX-loaded block copolymer, solutions were injected subcutaneously to tumor-bearing mice and TUNEL assay examined. PTX-loaded block copolymer hydrogel for in vivo use showed good anti-tumor effect for 2 weeks and induced strong apoptosis in tumor tissue. Therefore, we conclude OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM block copolymer as an effective injectable carrier of PTX.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Biodegradability and biocompatibility of a pH- and thermo-sensitive hydrogel formed from a sulfonamide-modified poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide) block copolymer.

A pH- and thermo-sensitive block copolymer was synthesized by adding pH-sensitive sulfamethazine oligomers (SMOs) to either end of a thermo-sensitive poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA) block copolymer. The resulting pH- and thermo-sensitive SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO block copolymer solution did not form a gel at high pH (pH 8.0) or at increased temperatures (ca. 70 degrees C), but did form a stable gel under physiological conditions (pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C). The degradation rate of the pH- and thermo-sensitive block copolymer decreased substantially compared with the control block copolymer of PCLA-PEG-PCLA, due to the buffering effect of the SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO sulfonamide groups on the acidic monomer-induced rapid degradation of PCLA-PEG-PCLA. This suitable sol-gel transition and sustained biodegradability of the pH- and thermo-sensitive SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO block copolymer resolves two of the major drawbacks associated with thermo-sensitive block copolymers, namely premature gelation and rapid degradation. Interestingly, SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO showed no evidence of cytotoxicity in vitro. However, subcutaneous injection of the pH- and thermo-sensitive block copolymer solution (20wt% in PBS at pH 8.0) into Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats resulted in rapid, stable gel formation, with the injected hydrogel being completely degraded in vivo in just 6 weeks. The injected hydrogel in vivo presented a typical acute inflammation within 2 weeks, although chronic inflammation was not observed during the first 6-week period. As such, the pH- and thermo-sensitive hydrogel of the SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO block copolymer is a suitable candidate for use in drug delivery systems and cell therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Novel pH sensitive block copolymer micelles for solvent free drug loading.

Novel pH sensitive biodegradable block copolymers (MPEG-PDLLA-OSM) composed of mono-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG), poly (D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) and sulfamethazine oligomer (OSM) were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization and a dicyclohexyl carboimide (DCC) coupling reaction. These copolymers had a relatively low critical micelle concentration (CMC) due to the strong hydrophobic properties of non-ionized OSM at pH 7.0. Also, the pH sensitive block copolymers showed the micelle-unimer transition due to the ionization-non-ionization of OSM in the pH range (pH 7.2-8.4) above the CMC. Due to the pH sensitive properties of the block copolymer, the hydrophobic drug paclitaxel (PTX) was incorporated into a pH sensitive block copolymer micelle by the pH induced micellization method, without using an organic solvent. The block copolymer micelle prepared by pH induced micellization showed a relatively high PTX loading efficiency, and good stability for 2 d at 37 degrees C. Furthermore, the PTX loaded micelle showed a sustained release of PTX with a small burst in vitro over 2 d. The present results suggest that the pH induced micellization method due to the micelle-unimer transition of the pH sensitive block copolymer would be a novel and valuable drug incorporation tool for hydrophobic and protein drugs, since no organic solvent is involved in the formulation.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed2006

Gas foamed open porous biodegradable polymeric microspheres.

Highly open porous biodegradable polymeric microspheres were fabricated for use as injectable scaffold microcarriers for cell delivery. A modified water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) double emulsion solvent evaporation method was employed for producing the microspheres. The incorporation of an effervescent salt, ammonium bicarbonate, in the primary W1 droplets spontaneously produced carbon dioxide and ammonia gas bubbles during the solvent evaporation process, which not only stabilized the primary emulsion, but also created well inter-connected pores in the resultant microspheres. The porous microspheres fabricated under various gas foaming conditions were characterized. The surface pores became as large as 20 microm in diameter with increasing the concentration of ammonium bicarbonate, being sufficient enough for cell infiltration and seeding. These porous scaffold microspheres could be potentially utilized for cultivating cells in a suspension manner and for delivering the seeded cells to the tissue defect site in an injectable manner.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2006

Sulfonamide-based pH- and temperature-sensitive biodegradable block copolymer hydrogels.

Novel pH- and temperature-sensitive biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PCLA-PEG) block copolymers were synthesized with oligomeric sulfamethazine (OSM) end groups (OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM). Aqueous solutions of these block copolymers have shown sol-gel transition behavior upon both temperature and pH changes under physiological conditions (37 degrees C, pH 7.4). The sol-gel transition of these block copolymer solutions was fine-tuned by controlling the PEG length, the hydrophobic to hydrophilic block ratio (PCLA/PEG), and the molecular weight of the sulfamethazine oligomer. Since changes in temperature do not induce gel formation in this pH- and temperature-sensitive block copolymer solution, this hydrogel can be employed as an injectable carrier using a long guide catheter into the body. In addition, the pH of the block copolymer solution showed no change following PCLA degradation over 1 month, and no indication of gel collapse was observed on addition of buffer solution. As such, these properties make the OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM hydrogel an ideal candidate for use as an injectable carrier for certain protein-based drugs known to denature in low-pH environments.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2006

Radiosensitization of tumor cells by modulation of ATM kinase.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the relationship between the radiation-induced activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, G2 arrest and the caffeine-induced radiosensitization. METHOD: RKO cells (human colorectal cancer cells) and ATM kinase over-expressing RKO/ATM cells were used. The cellular radiosensitivity was determined with clonogenic survival assay and the cell cycle progression, including G2 arrest, was studied with flow cytometry. The activity of ATM kinase, check point 2 (Chk2) kinase and cycline B1/cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2) kinase was investigated. The radiosensitivity of RKO xenografts grown in nude mice was studied. RESULTS: RKO/ATM cells were radioresistant as compared with RKO cells. There was a greater increase in ATM kinase activity and G2 arrest in RKO/ATM cells than in RKO cells. Caffeine also sensitized both RKO cells and RKO/ATM cells to radiation. The caffeine treatment suppressed the radiation-induced activation of ATM kinase, suppressed the activation of Chk2 kinase and inhibited the accumulation of cells in G2 phase. The activity of cycline B1/Cdc2 kinase increased earlier but decayed rapidly in the presence of caffeine. Caffeine enhanced radiation-induced growth delay of RKO xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine inhibited the radiation-induced activation of ATM kinase, thereby preventing the accumulation of cells in G2 phase. Consequently, radiosensitivity of cells increased in the presence of caffeine both in vitro and in vivo.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2005

Electrospun dual-porosity structure and biodegradation morphology of Montmorillonite reinforced PLLA nanocomposite scaffolds.

Combining a nanocomposite technique and the electrospinning process, a robust dual-porosity scaffold structure was developed for a facile transport of metabolic nutrients and wastes through the nano-sized pores and for the cell implantation and blood vessel invasion through the micro-sized pores. The montmorillonite (MMT) nano-sized platelets were incorporated into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) solution, which was subsequently electrospun and mechanically entangled by a cold compression molding process for a robust 3-dimensional scaffold structure. Using a salt leaching/gas forming method, micro-sized pores were developed in the electrospun fiber bundles giving a dual-porosity scaffold structure. Compared with the pristine PLLA scaffold, the developed nanocomposite fibrous scaffold structure exhibited increased strength and improved structural integrity during the biodegradation process. The nanocomposite scaffold systems also exhibited many tiny pinholes desirably generated on the scaffold walls without serious fragmentation during biodegradation reactions.

Bentonite↗

PubMed2004

Effect of PEG-PLLA diblock copolymer on macroporous PLLA scaffolds by thermally induced phase separation.

A regular and highly interconnected macroporous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffold was fabricated from a PLLA-dioxane-water ternary system with added polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PLLA diblock using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). The morphology of the scaffold was investigated in detail by controlling the following TIPS parameters: quenching temperature, aging time, polymer concentration, molecular structure, and diblock concentration. The phase diagram was assessed visually on the basis of the turbidity. The cloud-point curve shifted to higher temperatures with increasing PEG content in the additives (PEG-PLLA diblocks), due to a stronger interaction between PEG and water in solution. The addition of diblock series (0.5 wt% in solution) stabilized interconnections of pores at a later stage without segregation or sedimentation. The pore size of the scaffold could be easily controlled in the range 50-300 microm. A macroporous PLLA scaffold was used to study an MC3T3-E1 cell (an osteoblast-like cell) culture. The cells successfully proliferated in the PLLA scaffold in the presence of added PEG-PLLA diblock for 4 weeks.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2004

Immobilization of cell adhesive RGD peptide onto the surface of highly porous biodegradable polymer scaffolds fabricated by a gas foaming/salt leaching method.

A cell adhesive peptide moiety, Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Tyr (GRGDY), was immobilized onto the surface of highly porous biodegradable polymer scaffolds for enhancing cell adhesion and function. A carboxyl terminal end of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was functionalized with a primary amine group by conjugating hexaethylene glycol-diamine. The PLGA-NH2 was blended with PLGA in varying ratios to prepare films by solvent casting or to fabricate porous scaffolds by a gas foaming/salt leaching method. Under hydrating conditions, the activated GRGDY could be directly immobilized to the surface exposed amine groups of the PLGA-NH2 blend films or scaffolds. For the PLGA blend films, the surface density of GRGDY, surface wettability change, and cell adhesion behaviors were characterized. The extent of cell adhesion was substantially enhanced by increasing the blend ratio of PLGA-NH2 to PLGA. The level of an alkaline phosphatase activity, measured as a degree of cell differentiation, was also enhanced as a result of the introduction of cell adhesive peptides.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2004

Photo-crosslinkable, thermo-sensitive and biodegradable pluronic hydrogels for sustained release of protein.

Thermo-sensitive and biodegradable hydrogels based on Pluronic tri-block copolymers were prepared by a photo-polymerization method. Two terminal hydroxyl groups in Pluronic F-127 were acrylated to form a Pluronic macromer. Photo-cross-linked Pluronic hydrogels prepared by UV radiation showed a gradually decreased swelling ratio with increasing temperature and exhibited a thermally-responsive change in the swelling ratio when the temperature was cycled between 10 degrees C and 37 degrees C. These hydrogels degraded slowly due to the cleavage of ester linkage in the acrylated Pluronic terminal end. When lysozyme, a model protein drug, was loaded in the hydrogels, bi-phasic protein release profiles were attained: a burst-free and rapid controlled release profile was initially observed for a one week period and a much slower sustained release was followed thereafter. The release rates could be controlled by varying the amount of Pluronic macromer for photo-polymerization.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2003

Thermal and mechanical characteristics of poly(L-lactic acid) nanocomposite scaffold.

Inorganic nanosized silicate nanoplatelets were incorporated into biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) for the purpose of tailoring mechanical stiffness of PLLA porous scaffold systems. Increasing the nucleation density around the foreign body surfaces, the montmorillonite (MMT) nanoplatelets modified with dimethyl dihydrogenated tallow ammonium cations decreased the glass transition temperature and the degree of PLLA crystallinity, which seemingly caused the accelerated biodegradation rate of PLLA nanocomposites due to the enhanced segmental mobility of backbone chains and the expanded amorphous region of PLLA matrix. The tensile modulus was increased from 121.2MPa of pristine polymer scaffold to 170.1MPa of MMT/PLLA nanocomposite scaffold (ca. 40% increment) by the addition of small amount of MMT platelets (5.79 vol%) acting as a mechanical reinforcement of polymer chains in the nanoscale molecular level. Overall, the nanotechnology used in this study may be applied to various scaffold systems of biodegradable polymers and hard/soft scaffold structures requiring critical control and design characteristics of mechanical stiffness and biodegradation rate.

Culture Techniques↗

PubMed2002

Macroporous poly(L-lactide) scaffold 1. Preparation of a macroporous scaffold by liquid--liquid phase separation of a PLLA--dioxane--water system.

A biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) macroporous scaffold with a regular and highly interconnected structure in the size range from 50 to 150 mu m was fabricated from a PLLA--dioxane--water ternary system with the use of the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process. The phase diagram of PLLA with molecular weight above 200,000 was measured. It was found that a small change in the water content in the solvent caused a large shift in the cloud-point temperature. The porous morphology of the scaffold was closely related to the quenching route and formulation parameters, including polymer concentration, quenching temperature, aging time, and solvent composition of the ternary system. The porous morphology development in the scaffold was recorded as a function of aging time by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). For systems with lower polymer concentrations (<4.5 wt%), polymer sedimentation occurred in the later stages of phase separation. A slight increase in the water content of the solvent mixture caused the sedimentation boundary to expand to higher polymer concentration. For systems with higher polymer concentrations (> or = 4.5 wt%), the development of phase separation was restricted by gelation that resulted from the crystallization of the PLLA chains. This gelation effect was greater at high polymer concentrations and low quenching temperatures. The macroporous expected scaffold could be optimized from the slow development of phase separation during the long coarsening process.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2002

Poly(D,L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly (D,L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) triblock copolymer and thermoreversible phase transition in water.

Novel thermoreversible gelation behavior of aqueous solutions of ABA-type triblock copolymers composed of the central polyethylene oxide (PEG) block and two poly(D,L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) side blocks was found. Phase transition characteristics, such as critical gel concentration (CGC) and lower and upper critical gel temperature (CGT), are closely related to the molecular structure of the triblock copolymers. The CGC and the lower CGT both increases with increasing PEG/PLGA molecular weight ratio. Increasing the GA content in PLGA block induces a somewhat higher CGC. The copolymer forms micelles with a PLGA loop core and a PEG shell in water. Also grouped micelles are identified seemingly due to the bridging of two micelles sharing two PLGA blocks of a block copolymer chain. As the temperature increases the association of micelles increases, which results in gelation. The ABA-type copolymers exhibit a relatively low CGC (<10%) and low sol-gel transition temperatures compared to BAB-type copolymers. As the temperature increases further gel-sol transition is observed, which would result from the shrinkage of micelles with temperature increase. The hydrodynamic size of the micelles is monitored by dynamic laser scattering, and a possible gelation mechanism was suggested.

Gels↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Novel injectable pH and temperature sensitive block copolymer hydrogel.

A novel pH and temperature sensitive block copolymer was prepared by adding pH sensitive moiety to temperature sensitive block copolymer. This block copolymer solution showed a reversible sol-gel transition by a small pH change in the range of pH 7.4-8.0 and also by the temperature change in the region of body temperature. The very precise molecular weight control of block copolymer and the prudential tuning of hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance were needed to control the phase diagram. This block copolymer solution forms a gel at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4 (human body). When the block copolymer solution is at room temperature and pH 8.0 as a sol state, both the temperature and pH change are needed for the gelation. This material can be employed as injectable carriers for hydrophobic drugs and proteins, etc. Gelation inside the needle can be prevented by an increase in the temperature during injection, because it does not change into the gel form with only increasing temperature. This material can be used for even a long guide catheter into the body. The block copolymer hydrogel which shows the sol-gel transition by the small pH change from pH 8.0 to pH 7.4 has merits in the delivery system for protein and cells which show cytotoxicity in acidic (below pH 6.5) or basic (above pH 8.5) conditions. This block copolymer system could be used as a template technology for injectable delivery systems.

Biocompatible Materials↗