Work

Effect of the Comonomer Nature on the Cytotoxicity and Mechanical Properties of a Cryogel Based on Sodium 2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonate Copolymers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Currently, for the treatment of corneal diseases (keratitis–corneal opacities), synthetic corneal analogs based on polymer films or hydrogels are being developed. The requirements for the material include biocompatibility, the presence of a developed system of macropores, transparency, rapid swelling, and mechanical strength. Here, with the aim of preparing such materials, a series of gels based on a copolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMP) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (or vinyl acetate, or ethyl acrylate) were obtained using cryotropic gelation. It was shown that transparent cryogels can be obtained based on the sulfonate-containing comonomer 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid at a crosslinking agent concentration of 2.2 mol.%, while the nature of the acrylate comonomer did not show any effect on transparency. It was found that when using AMP and ethyl acrylate, cryogels with a developed system of macropores with a diameter of 50 to 250 μm were formed, and the mechanical strength of such cryogels was sufficient for their subsequent use as corneal implants. Moreover, the PAMP hydrogel containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or ethyl acrylate units did not affect the viability of cells even after 1 month.

Source: Colloids and Interfaces

DOI: 10.3390/colloids9030034

Authors: Olga Iakobson, Elena Ivan’kova, Yulia Nashchekina, Gleb Vaganov, Svetlana Laishevkina, Natalia Shevchenko