The synthesis and lectin-binding properties of novel mannose-functionalised polymers

We have utilised the CuAAC click'' reaction to introduce a-D-mannose functionality via a pre-polymerisation modification in order to synthesise novel water soluble, mannose-functionalised HEMA copolymers. The ability of these copolymers to bind to the mannose selective lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) has been investigated and has shown that copolymers containing a higher percentage of mannose functionalised monomer 7 could quantitatively precipitate Con A more efficiently than polymers that contained a lower percentage of mannose. Encouraged by these positive binding results, we successfully synthesised a series of novel glycohydrogels, based on the structure of the copolymers 8a-8e, which contain varying amounts of mannose. These hydrogels can potentially be developed into biocompatible biomaterials that have the ability to bind to mannose receptors.