Trimethylamine N -oxide–derived zwitterionic polymers: A new class of ultralow fouling bioinspired materials

Abstract

Materials that resist nonspecific protein adsorption are needed for many applications. However, few are able to achieve ultralow fouling in complex biological milieu. Zwitterionic polymers emerge as a class of highly effective ultralow fouling materials due to their superhydrophilicity, outperforming other hydrophilic materials such as poly(ethylene glycol). Unfortunately, there are only three major classes of zwitterionic materials based on poly(phosphorylcholine), poly(sulfobetaine), and poly(carboxybetaine) currently available. Inspired by trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a zwitterionic osmolyte and the most effective protein stabilizer, we here report TMAO-derived zwitterionic polymers (PTMAO) as a new class of ultralow fouling biomaterials. The nonfouling properties of PTMAO were demonstrated under highly challenging conditions. The mechanism accounting for the extraordinary hydration of PTMAO was elucidated by molecular dynamics simulations. The discovery of PTMAO polymers demonstrates the power of molecular understanding in the design of new biomimetic materials and provides the biomaterials community with another class of nonfouling zwitterionic materials.

Design of Polymeric Biomaterials: The “Intermediate Water Concept”

“…74 Jaing et al also reported trimethylamine N-oxidederived zwitterionic polymers as a new class of ultralow fouling bioinspired materials. 75 These zwitterionic polymers and novel zwitterionic polymers will greatly contribute to the improvement of many medical devices due to their hydrated property. It is necessary to investigate in detail and consider that zwitterioinic polymer side-chains, which consist of cations and anions, significantly contribute to biocompatible due to the binding strength between cation/anion and water at the bio-interface.…”

Silk‐Inspired β‐Peptide Materials Resist Fouling and the Foreign‐Body Response

“…Cell, platelet, and microbe adhesion are also major types of biofouling known to trigger inflammation and the FBR, so we continued to examine the performance of β‐HS in resisting these challenges. The β‐HS SAM efficiently resisted adhesion of fibroblast cells and platelets (Figure g–i, m), and also effectively resisted adhesion of fungi ( Candida albicans ), Gram‐positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus ), and Gram‐negative bacteria ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) for at least 7 days (Figure i–k, n–p).…”

Recent Developments in the Design of Non-Biofouling Coatings for Nanoparticles and Surfaces

“…Apparently, as the distance between the oppositely charged moieties decreases, the level of hydration (number of bound water molecules) increases and the non-fouling properties are enhanced. With this principle in mind, Li et al [60] recently reported the preparation and use of polymers derived from trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-a naturally occurring zwitterion in saltwater fish-in which the charged groups are linked to each other without any spacer between them (Figure 12). A TMAO-based polymer (PTMAO) was prepared as a fourth generation of zwitterionic anti-fouling agents.…”