Protein release from interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels triggered by endogenous biomarkers

A biocompatible drug delivery system with a high-sensitive stimuli-responsive behavior is reported. Calcium alginate hydrogels interpenetrated with polyvinyl alcohol-diboronate polymer network (IPN) effectively respond to the presence of hydrogen peroxide through oxidative degradation of boronate esters. The degradation of the IPN entails the reopening of the original alginate pores, resulting in a 5-9 times increase in release rates of encapsulated proteins with molecular masses ranging from 16.7 to 66 kDa. The release can be triggered by hydrogen peroxide concentrations as low as 50 mu M in the bulk solution. Alternatively, hydrogen peroxide can also be generated inside the hydrogels by incorporation of oxidase enzymes in the presence of their substrates, such as lactate, glucose, or hypoxanthine, which can serve as biomarkers of certain physiological disorders. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This biocompatible drug delivery system shows a highly sensitive stimuli-responsive behavior to hydrogen peroxide, effectively releasing encapsulated proteins through oxidative degradation of boronate esters. The release can be triggered by low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and can also be induced by incorporating oxidase enzymes in the presence of their substrates, serving as biomarkers for physiological disorders.