@article{TungMaringXuetal.2022, author = {Tung, Wing Tai and Maring, Janita A. and Xu, Xun and Liu, Yue and Becker, Matthias and Somesh, Dipthi Bachamanda and Klose, Kristin and Wang, Weiwei and Sun, Xianlei and Ullah, Imran and Kratz, Karl and Neffe, Axel T. and Stamm, Christof and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {In vivo performance of a cell and factor free multifunctional fiber mesh modulating postinfarct myocardial remodeling}, series = {Advanced Functional Materials}, volume = {32}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, number = {31}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-301X}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.202110179}, pages = {17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Guidance of postinfarct myocardial remodeling processes by an epicardial patch system may alleviate the consequences of ischemic heart disease. As macrophages are highly relevant in balancing immune response and regenerative processes their suitable instruction would ensure therapeutic success. A polymeric mesh capable of attracting and instructing monocytes by purely physical cues and accelerating implant degradation at the cell/implant interface is designed. In a murine model for myocardial infarction the meshes are compared to those either coated with extracellular matrix or loaded with induced cardiomyocyte progenitor cells. All implants promote macrophage infiltration and polarization in the epicardium, which is verified by in vitro experiments. 6 weeks post-MI, especially the implantation of the mesh attenuates left ventricular adverse remodeling processes as shown by reduced infarct size (14.7\% vs 28-32\%) and increased wall thickness (854 mu m vs 400-600 mu m), enhanced angiogenesis/arteriogenesis (more than 50\% increase compared to controls and other groups), and improved heart function (ejection fraction = 36.8\% compared to 12.7-31.3\%). Upscaling as well as process controls is comprehensively considered in the presented mesh fabrication scheme to warrant further progression from bench to bedside.}, language = {en} } @article{NeffeLoewenbergJulichGruneretal.2021, author = {Neffe, Axel T. and L{\"o}wenberg, Candy and Julich-Gruner, Konstanze K. and Behl, Marc and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Thermally-induced shape-memory behavior of degradable gelatin-based networks}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, number = {11}, publisher = {Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22115892}, pages = {15}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Shape-memory hydrogels (SMH) are multifunctional, actively-moving polymers of interest in biomedicine. In loosely crosslinked polymer networks, gelatin chains may form triple helices, which can act as temporary net points in SMH, depending on the presence of salts. Here, we show programming and initiation of the shape-memory effect of such networks based on a thermomechanical process compatible with the physiological environment. The SMH were synthesized by reaction of glycidylmethacrylated gelatin with oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) alpha,omega-dithiols of varying crosslinker length and amount. Triple helicalization of gelatin chains is shown directly by wide-angle X-ray scattering and indirectly via the mechanical behavior at different temperatures. The ability to form triple helices increased with the molar mass of the crosslinker. Hydrogels had storage moduli of 0.27-23 kPa and Young's moduli of 215-360 kPa at 4 degrees C. The hydrogels were hydrolytically degradable, with full degradation to water-soluble products within one week at 37 degrees C and pH = 7.4. A thermally-induced shape-memory effect is demonstrated in bending as well as in compression tests, in which shape recovery with excellent shape-recovery rates R-r close to 100\% were observed. In the future, the material presented here could be applied, e.g., as self-anchoring devices mechanically resembling the extracellular matrix.}, language = {en} } @article{NeffeLoewenbergLendlein2021, author = {Neffe, Axel T. and L{\"o}wenberg, Candy and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Hydrogel networks by aliphatic dithiol Michael addition to glycidylmethacrylated gelatin}, series = {MRS advances : a journal of the Materials Research Society (MRS)}, volume = {6}, journal = {MRS advances : a journal of the Materials Research Society (MRS)}, number = {33}, publisher = {Springer Nature Switzerland AG}, address = {Cham}, issn = {2059-8521}, doi = {10.1557/s43580-021-00136-8}, pages = {796 -- 800}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Functionalization of gelatin with glycidylmethacrylate (GMA-gelatin) enables network formation employing the double bond, so that the reaction is orthogonal to the inherent functional groups in the biomacromolecule. Here, network formation by crosslinking of GMA-gelatin with hexane 1,6-dithiol or nonane 1,9-dithiol to tailor properties and enable a shape-memory effect is shown by H-1 NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. Hydrogel swelling (460-1900 vol\%) and mechanical properties (Young's modulus E = 59-512 kPa, elongation at break epsilon(b) = 44-127\%) depended on the molecular composition of the networks and temperature. Increased crosslinker length, thiol:methacrylate molar ratio, and precursor concentrations led to denser networks. Change of properties with temperature suggested adoption of triple helices by gelatin chains, forming physical netpoints at lower temperatures (< 20 degrees C). However, the limited freedom of the gelatin chains to move allowed only a minimal extent of triple helices formation, as it became apparent from the related signal in wide-angle X-ray scattering and the thermal transition associated to triple helices in some networks by DSC. The presented strategy is likely transferable to other biomacromolecules, and the results suggest that too short crosslinkers may result in a significant amount of grafting rather than network formation.}, language = {en} } @article{LoewenbergTripodoJulichGruneretal.2020, author = {L{\"o}wenberg, Candy and Tripodo, Giuseppe and Julich-Gruner, Konstanze K. and Neffe, Axel T. and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Supramolecular gelatin networks based on inclusion complexes}, series = {Macromolecular bioscience}, volume = {20}, journal = {Macromolecular bioscience}, number = {10}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-5187}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.202000221}, pages = {8}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Hydrogel forming physical networks based on gelatin are an attractive approach toward multifunctional biomaterials with the option of reshaping, self-healing, and stimuli-sensitivity. However, it is challenging to design such gelatin-based hydrogels to be stable at body temperature. Here, gelatin functionalized with desaminotyrosine (DAT) or desaminotyrosyl tyrosine (DATT) side chains is crosslinked with cyclodextrin (CD) dimers under formation of inclusions complexes. The supramolecular networks displayed at room temperature decreased water uptake (200-600 wt\% for DAT-based systems, 200 wt\% for DATT based systems), and increased storage moduli up to 25.6 kPa determined by rheology compared to DAT(T) gelatin. The gel-sol transition temperature increased from 33 up to 42 degrees C. The presented system that is completely based on natural building blocks may form the basis for materials that may potentially respond by dissolution or changes of properties to changes in environmental conditions or to the presence of CD guest molecules.}, language = {en} } @article{IzraylitHommesSchattmannNeffeetal.2020, author = {Izraylit, Victor and Hommes-Schattmann, Paul J. and Neffe, Axel T. and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Polyester urethane functionalizable through maleimide side-chains and cross-linkable by polylactide stereocomplexes}, series = {European polymer journal}, volume = {137}, journal = {European polymer journal}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0014-3057}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109916}, pages = {8}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Sustainable multifunctional alternatives to fossil-derived materials, which can be functionalized and are degradable, can be envisioned by combining naturally derived starting materials with an established polymer design concept. Modularity and chemical flexibility of polyester urethanes (PEU) enable the combination of segments bearing functionalizable moieties and the tailoring of the mechanical and thermal properties. In this work, a PEU multiblock structure was synthesized from naturally derived L-lysine diisocyanate ethyl ester (LDI), poly(L-lactide) diol (PLLA) and N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-maleimide (MID) in a one-step reaction. A maleimide side-chain (MID) provided a reactive site for the catalyst-free coupling of thiols shown for L-cysteine with a yield of 94\%. Physical cross-links were generated by blending the PEU with poly(D-lactide) (PDLA), upon which the PLLA segments of the PEU and the PDLA formed stereocomplexes. Stereocomplexation occurred spontaneously during solution casting and was investigated with WAXS and DSC. Stereocomplex crystallites were observed in the blends, while isotactic PLA crystallization was not observed. The presented material platform with tailorable mechanical properties by blending is of specific interest for engineering biointerfaces of implants or carrier systems for bioactive molecules.}, language = {en} } @article{IzraylitHommesSchattmannNeffeetal.2020, author = {Izraylit, Victor and Hommes-Schattmann, Paul Jacob and Neffe, Axel T. and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Alkynyl-functionalized chain-extended PCL for coupling to biological molecules}, series = {European polymer journal}, volume = {136}, journal = {European polymer journal}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0014-3057}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109908}, pages = {11}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Chemical functionalization of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) enables a molecular integration of additional function. Here, we report an approach to incorporate reactive alkynyl side-groups by synthesizing a chain-extended PCL, where the reactive site is introduced through the covalently functionalizable chain extender 3 (prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)propane-1,2-diol (YPD). Chain-extended PCL with M-w of 101 to 385 kg.mol(-1) were successfully synthesized in a one-pot reaction from PCL-diols with various molar masses, L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (LDI) or trimethyl(hexamethylene)diisocyanate (TMDI), and YPD, in which the density of functionalizable groups and spacing between them can be controlled by the composition of the polymer. The employed diisocyanate compounds and YPD possess an asymmetric structure and form a non-crystallizable segment leaving the PCL crystallites to dominate the material's mechanical properties. The mixed glass transition temperature T-g = - 60 to - 46 degrees C of the PCL/polyurethane amorphous phase maintains the synthesized materials in a highly elastic state at ambient and physiological conditions. Reaction conditions for covalent attachment in copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne-cycloaddition reactions (CuAAC) in solution were optimized in a series of model reactions between the alkyne moieties of the chain-extended PCL and benzyl azide, reaching conversions over 95\% of the alkyne moieties and with yields of up to 94\% for the purified functionalized PCL. This methodology was applied for reaction with the azide-functionalized cell adhesion peptide GRGDS. The required modification of the peptide provides selectivity in the coupling reactions. The obtained results suggest that YPD could potentially be employed as versatile molecular unit for the creation of a variety of functionalizable polyesters as well as polyurethanes and polycarbonates offering efficient and selective click-reactions.}, language = {en} } @article{NeffeIzraylitHommesSchattmannetal.2021, author = {Neffe, Axel T. and Izraylit, Victor and Hommes-Schattmann, Paul J. and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Soft, formstable (Co)polyester blend elastomers}, series = {Nanomaterials : open access journal}, volume = {11}, journal = {Nanomaterials : open access journal}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-4991}, doi = {10.3390/nano11061472}, pages = {18}, year = {2021}, abstract = {High crystallization rate and thermomechanical stability make polylactide stereocomplexes effective nanosized physical netpoints. Here, we address the need for soft, form-stable degradable elastomers for medical applications by designing such blends from (co)polyesters, whose mechanical properties are ruled by their nanodimensional architecture and which are applied as single components in implants. By careful controlling of the copolymer composition and sequence structure of poly[(L-lactide)-co-(epsilon-caprolactone)], it is possible to prepare hyperelastic polymer blends formed through stereocomplexation by adding poly(D-lactide) (PDLA). Low glass transition temperature T-g <= 0 degrees C of the mixed amorphous phase contributes to the low Young's modulus E. The formation of stereocomplexes is shown in DSC by melting transitions T-m > 190 degrees C and in WAXS by distinct scattering maxima at 2 theta = 12 degrees and 21 degrees. Tensile testing demonstrated that the blends are soft (E = 12-80 MPa) and show an excellent hyperelastic recovery R-rec = 66-85\% while having high elongation at break epsilon(b) up to >1000\%. These properties of the blends are attained only when the copolymer has 56-62 wt\% lactide content, a weight average molar mass >140 kg center dot mol(-1), and number average lactide sequence length >= 4.8, while the blend is formed with a content of 5-10 wt\% of PDLA. The devised strategy to identify a suitable copolymer for stereocomplexation and blend formation is transferable to further polymer systems and will support the development of thermoplastic elastomers suitable for medical applications.}, language = {en} } @article{NeffeZhangHommesSchattmannetal.2021, author = {Neffe, Axel T. and Zhang, Quanchao and Hommes-Schattmann, Paul J. and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Ethylene oxide sterilization of electrospun poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) core/shell nanofibers}, series = {MRS advances}, volume = {6}, journal = {MRS advances}, number = {33}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, issn = {2059-8521}, doi = {10.1557/s43580-021-00058-5}, pages = {786 -- 789}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The application of polymers in medicine requires sterilization while retaining material structure and properties. This demands detailed analysis, which we show exemplarily for the sterilization of PLLA/PDLA core-shell nanofibers with ethylene oxide (EtO). The electrospun patch was exposed to EtO gas (6 vol\% in CO2, 1.7 bar) for 3 h at 45 degrees C and 75\% rel. humidity, followed by degassing under pressure/vacuum cycles for 12 h. GC-MS analysis showed that no residual EtO was retained. Fiber diameters (similar to 520 +/- 130 nm) of the patches remained constant as observed by electron microscopy. Young's modulus slightly increased and the elongation at break slightly decreased, determined at 37 degrees C. No changes were detected in H-1-NMR spectra, in molar mass distribution (GPC) or in crystallinity measured for annealed samples with comparable thermal history (Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering). Altogether, EtO emerged as suitable sterilization method for polylactide nanofibers with core-shell morphology.}, language = {en} } @article{ZouWangNeffeetal.2017, author = {Zou, Jie and Wang, Weiwei and Neffe, Axel T. and Xu, Xun and Li, Zhengdong and Deng, Zijun and Sun, Xianlei and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Adipogenic differentiation of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells in 3D architectured gelatin based hydrogels (ArcGel)}, series = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, volume = {67}, journal = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, number = {3-4}, publisher = {IOS Press}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1386-0291}, doi = {10.3233/CH-179210}, pages = {297 -- 307}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Polymeric matrices mimicking multiple functions of the ECM are expected to enable a material induced regeneration of tissues. Here, we investigated the adipogenic differentiation of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) in a 3D architectured gelatin based hydrogel (ArcGel) prepared from gelatin and L-lysine diisocyanate ethyl ester (LDI) in an one-step process, in which the formation of an open porous morphology and the chemical network formation were integrated. The ArcGel was designed to support adipose tissue regeneration with its 3D porous structure, high cell biocompatibility, and mechanical properties compatible with human subcutaneous adipose tissue. The ArcGel could support initial cell adhesion and survival of hADSCs. Under static culture condition, the cells could migrate into the inner part of the scaffold with a depth of 840 +/- 120 mu m after 4 days, and distributed in the whole scaffold (2mm in thickness) within 14 days. The cells proliferated in the scaffold and the fold increase of cell number after 7 days of culture was 2.55 +/- 0.08. The apoptotic rate of hADSCs in the scaffold was similar to that of cells maintained on tissue culture plates. When cultured in adipogenic induction medium, the hADSCs in the scaffold differentiated into adipocytes with a high efficiency (93 +/- 1\%). Conclusively, this gelatin based 3D scaffold presented high cell compatibility for hADSC cultivation and differentiation, which could serve as a potential implant material in clinical applications for adipose tissue reparation and regeneration.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhangSaidWischkeetal.2017, author = {Zhang, Nan and Said, Andre and Wischke, Christian and Kral, Vivian and Brodwolf, Robert and Volz, Pierre and Boreham, Alexander and Gerecke, Christian and Li, Wenzhong and Neffe, Axel T. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Alexiev, Ulrike and Lendlein, Andreas and Sch{\"a}fer-Korting, Monika}, title = {Poly[acrylonitrile-co-(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)] nanoparticles - Composition-dependent skin penetration enhancement of a dye probe and biocompatibility}, series = {European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics}, volume = {116}, journal = {European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0939-6411}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.10.019}, pages = {66 -- 75}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Nanoparticles can improve topical drug delivery: size, surface properties and flexibility of polymer nanoparticles are defining its interaction with the skin. Only few studies have explored skin penetration for one series of structurally related polymer particles with systematic alteration of material composition. Here, a series of rigid poly[acrylonitrile-co-(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)] model nanoparticles stably loaded with Nile Red or Rhodamin B, respectively, was comprehensively studied for biocompatibility and functionality. Surface properties were altered by varying the molar content of hydrophilic NVP from 0 to 24.1\% and particle size ranged from 35 to 244 nm. Whereas irritancy and genotoxicity were not revealed, lipophilic and hydrophilic nanoparticles taken up by keratinocytes affected cell viability. Skin absorption of the particles into viable skin ex vivo was studied using Nile Red as fluorescent probe. Whilst an intact stratum corneum efficiently prevented penetration, almost complete removal of the horny layer allowed nanoparticles of smaller size and hydrophilic particles to penetrate into viable epidermis and dermis. Hence, systematic variations of nanoparticle properties allows gaining insights into critical criteria for biocompatibility and functionality of novel nanocarriers for topical drug delivery and risks associated with environmental exposure.}, language = {en} }