Development of a Freeze-Dried Skin Care Product Composed of Hyaluronic Acid and Poly(γ-Glutamic Acid) Containing Bioactive Components for Application after Chemical Peels

Eight types of spongy sheet were prepared by freeze-drying aqueous solutions of hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) with or without bioactive components including vitamin C derivative (VC), glucosylceramide (GC), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Spongy sheets were categorized into the following groups: Group I (HA/PGA), Group II (HA/PGA + VC), Group III (HA/PGA + GC), Group IV (HA/PGA + VC, GC), Group V (HA/PGA + EGF), Group VI (HA/PGA + VC, EGF), Group VII (HA/PGA + GC, EGF), and Group VIII (HA/PGA + VC, GC, EGF). In the first experiment, we examined fibroblast proliferation in conditioned medium that had been prepared by immersing each spongy sheet in a conventional culture medium. EGF-incorporating spongy sheets (Groups V-VIII) enhanced fibroblast proliferation more than EGF-free spongy sheets (Groups I-IV). In the second experiment, cytokine production by fibroblasts was evaluated using a wound surface model. This involved elevation of fibroblasts-incorporating collagen gel sheets to the air-liquid interface, on which a spongy sheet (Groups I, IV, V and VIII) was placed and cultured for 1 week. EGF-incorporating spongy sheets (Groups V and VIII) enhanced the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by fibroblasts more than EGF-free spongy sheets (Groups I and IV). The effect of these four types of spongy sheet on wounds was investigated in animal experiments. Chemical peel was performed by contacting 50% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) on the dorsal region of mice, after which a spongy sheet was placed, and the wound condition was then observed in a two-week period. Angiogenesis was facilitated to a greater degree in Group VIII compared with Groups I, IV and V. This finding indicates that Group VIII spongy sheet is a promising aid for skin recovery after chemical peel.

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(γ-glutamic acid) Hydrogels as Potential Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

In this paper, methacrylated γ-PGA（m PGA） precursor was synthesized via reaction between γ-PGA and glycidyl methacrylate（GMA）. Hydrogels from this precursor were prepared under 365 nm ultraviolet irradiation. The swelling behavior and mechanical properties were studied in detail as functions of the degree of substitution（DS）, precursor concentration, and environmental p H. Results showed that the crosslink density, swelling kinetics and mechanical properties of the hdyrogel could be tailored by adjusting the DS and concentration of the precursor as well as the environmental p H. Three-dimensional photo-encapsulation of swine cartilage chondrocytes and Live/Dead assay proved the cytocompatibility of the hydrogel.

Safety and photochemotherapeutic application of poly(γ-glutamic acid)-based biopolymeric nanoparticle

The safety of nanomaterials, a crucial consideration for clinical translation, is enhanced by using building blocks that are biologically nontoxic. Here, we used poly(γ-glutamic acid)(γ-PGA) and dopamine as building blocks of polymeric nanomaterials for carrying hydrophobic anticancer drugs. The introduction of phenylalanine onto γ-PGA enabled the resulting amphiphilic derivative of γ-PGA acid to self-assemble in the presence of the anticancer drug paclitaxel(PTX) to form PTX-encapsulated micelles.The surfaces of PTX-loaded micelles were then coated with polymerized dopamine(PDA). The PDAcoated, amphiphilic γ-PGA-based micelles(AM) carrying PTX(PDA/AM/P) exerted near-infraredresponsive photothermal effects. Near-infrared irradiation of cancer cells treated with PDA/AM/P nanoparticles produced a greater anticancer effect than that observed in other treatment groups, indicating a synergistic effect. Intravenous administration of PDA/AM/P completely ablated tumors and prevented their recurrence. Notably, the in vivo safety profile of PDA/AM/P nanoparticles allowed PTX to be delivered at a 3.6-fold higher dose than was possible with PTX solubilized in surfactant, and circumvented the side effects of the surfactant. These results support the multifunctional potential of PDA/AM for the delivery of various hydrophobic drugs and imaging dyes for safe translation of nanomaterials into the clinic.

Electrostatic assembly functionalization of poly(γ-glutamic acid)for biomedical antibacterial applications

Poly(γ-glutamic acid)(γ-PGA)has been found widespread applications in biomedical field because of its excellent water solubility,biocompatibility,and bioactivity.Herein,a water-insoluble γ-PGA antibacterial compound is facilely fabricated via one-pot electrostatic assembly of γ-PGA with cationic ethyl lauroyl arginate(ELA).The functionalized γ-PGA compound(γ-PGA-ELA)ethanol solution can facilely produce colorless and transparent coatings on various inorganic,metal,and polymeric substrates,especially for the lumen of slender catheters(length up to 2 m,and inner diameter down to 1 mm).The functionalized γ-PGA coating presents remarkable antibacterial efficacy in vitro and in vivo.In addition,the γ-PGA compound is used as antibacterial additives of polyolefin via melting extrusion,and the asprepared antibacterial polyolefin demonstrates advantageous antibacterial efficacy.More importantly,the functionalized γ-PGA coating exhibit good hemocompatibility,low cytotoxicity,and satisfactory histocompatibility.The as-proposed γ-PGA compound has a great potential to serve as a safe and multifunctional antibacterial candidate to combat biomedical devices-related infections.

γ-聚谷氨酸乙酯与γ-聚谷氨酸苄酯的生物降解性能

为了了解生物可降解聚合物γ-聚谷氨酸(γ-PGA)乙酯与γ-聚谷氨酸苄酯的生物降解性能,采用枯草杆菌NX-2(Bacillus subtilis)、黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)和土埋法对γ-PGA乙酯和γ-PGA苄酯的降解性能进行研究,用扫描电镜观察降解结果.结果表明:枯草杆菌对γ-PGA乙酯和γ-PGA苄酯的降解作用优于黑曲霉;相对厚度较大的薄膜,在枯草杆菌NX-2中缓慢降解;在黑曲霉中,γ-PGA乙酯的降解速率相对较慢,薄膜的形态没有发生变化;γ-PGA苄酯的降解性能优于γ-PGA乙酯.