Synthesis and biological evaluation of fucoidan-mimetic glycopolymers through cyanoxyl-mediated free-radical polymerization

Biomacromolecules. 2014 Jul 14;15(7):2359-68. doi: 10.1021/bm5002312. Epub 2014 Jun 10.

Abstract

The sulfated marine polysaccharide fucoidan has been reported to have health benefits ranging from antivirus and anticancer properties to modulation of high blood pressure. Hence, they could enhance the biological function of materials for biomedical applications. However, the incorporation of fucoidan into biomaterials has been difficult, possibly due to its complex structure and lack of suitable functional groups for covalent anchoring to biomaterials. We have developed an approach for a rapid synthesis of fucoidan-mimetic glycopolymer chains through cyanoxyl-mediated free-radical polymerization, a method suitable for chain-end functionalizing and subsequent linkage to biomaterials. The resulting sulfated and nonsulfated methacrylamido α-L-fucoside glycopolymers' fucoidan-mimetic properties were studied in HSV-1 infection and platelet activation assays. The sulfated glycopolymer showed similar properties to natural fucoidan in inducing platelet activation and inhibiting HSV-1 binding and entry to cells, thus indicating successful syntheses of fucoidan-mimetic glycopolymers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • Free Radicals / chemistry*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Polymerization
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides / chemical synthesis*
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Free Radicals
  • Polymers
  • Polysaccharides
  • fucoidan