Novel synthetic route of a trehalose-based linear polymer by ring opening of two epoxy groups with aliphatic diamine

Synthesis and Application of Trehalose Materials

Trehalose is a naturally occurring, nonreducing disaccharide that is widely used in the biopharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to its stabilizing and cryoprotective properties. Over the years, scientists have developed methodologies to synthesize linear polymers with trehalose units either in the polymer backbone or as pendant groups. These macromolecules provide unique properties and characteristics, which often outperform trehalose itself. Additionally, numerous reports have focused on the synthesis and formulation of materials based on trehalose, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and thermoset networks. Among many applications, these polymers and materials have been used as protein stabilizers, as gene delivery systems, and to prevent amyloid aggregate formation. In this Perspective, recent developments in the synthesis and application of trehalose-based linear polymers, hydrogels, and nanomaterials are discussed, with a focus on utilization in the biomedical field.

Fibroblast cell proliferation on photo-cured trehalose cinnamoyl ester thin films

Trehalose cinnamoyl esters (TCs) were synthesized by esterification of trehlaose with cinnamoyl chloride. Two TCs with different degrees of substitution were synthesized, and trehalose cinnamoyl ester thin film-coated glass plates were prepared by a dip-coating method. Photocuring of the TCs was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible spectral changes. The surface of photo-cured TCs were found smooth as observed in a scanning electron microscope. The cell proliferation on the photo-cured TCs was investigated using 3T3 Swiss Albino mouse embryo fibroblasts. The results of the cell proliferation assay revealed that the photo-cured TCs with higher degrees of substitution promoted the cell proliferation compared with a polystyrene culture plate and the photo-cured TCs with lower degrees of substitution. The contact angle of the photo-cured TCs with higher degrees of substitution was 101.0° ± 1.6°, which is much higher than that of the polystyrene culture plate, and it is out of the range known to be suitable for cell adhesion. Nevertheless, the cell unexpectedly grew best on the photo-cured TCs with higher degrees of substitution. Fibronectin binding assay was carried out using fluorescent probe-modified fibronectin, and more fibronectin was found adsorbed onto photo-cured TCs than a polystyrene culture plate.

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: an update for the period 2005-2006

This review is the fourth update of the original review, published in 1999, on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2006. The review covers fundamental studies, fragmentation of carbohydrate ions, method developments, and applications of the technique to the analysis of different types of carbohydrate. Specific compound classes that are covered include carbohydrate polymers from plants, N- and O-linked glycans from glycoproteins, glycated proteins, glycolipids from bacteria, glycosides, and various other natural products. There is a short section on the use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the study of enzymes involved in glycan processing, a section on industrial processes, particularly the development of biopharmaceuticals and a section on the use of MALDI-MS to monitor products of chemical synthesis of carbohydrates. Large carbohydrate-protein complexes and glycodendrimers are highlighted in this final section.

Synthesis and Properties of Trehalose-Based Flexible Polymers Prepared from Difurfurylidene Trehalose and Maleimide- Terminated Oligo(dimethylsiloxane) by Diels-Alder Reactions

Difurfurylidene trehalose (DFTreh) was synthesized from trehalose and furfural by an acetalization reaction. Maleimide-terminated dimethylsiloxane oligomers (DMS-BMI) were synthesized from amine-terminated dimethylsiloxane oligomers by condensation with maleic anhydride. Three types of DMS-BMI with different length were prepared. Trehalose-based polymers were synthesized by Diels-Alder reaction of DFTreh and DMS-BMI. The reaction proceeded at 40~70 °C to produce a polymer with a maximum weight average molecular weight of ~19,000. The thermal degradation temperature increased with the increase of the length of the oligo(dimethylsiloxane) units. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements revealed the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the polymer at -130~-120 °C, and no distinct T_g not observed above room temperature in the DSC measurement. The polymer products are not liquid at room temperature, and solid films can be obtained by casting from solution, implying a phase-separated structure made up of soft and hard segments. The phase-separated structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) study. The DSC curve of the polymer showed a broad endothermic peak at 110~160 °C, suggesting that a retro-Diels-Alder reaction occurred. When a N,N-dimethylformamide solution of the polymer was kept at 100 °C and the resulting solution was analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), the molecular weight decreased and monomers appeared.

Trehalose and trehalose-based polymers for environmentally benign, biocompatible and bioactive materials

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide that is found in many organisms but not in mammals. This sugar plays important roles in cryptobiosis of selaginella mosses, tardigrades (water bears), and other animals which revive with water from a state of suspended animation induced by desiccation. The interesting properties of trehalose are due to its unique symmetrical low-energy structure, wherein two glucose units are bonded face-to-face by 1→1-glucoside links. The Hayashibara Co. Ltd., is credited for developing an inexpensive, environmentally benign and industrial-scale process for the enzymatic conversion of α-1,4-linked polyhexoses to α,α-d-trehalose, which made it easy to explore novel food, industrial, and medicinal uses for trehalose and its derivatives. Trehalose-chemistry is a relatively new and emerging field, and polymers of trehalose derivatives appear environmentally benign, biocompatible, and biodegradable. The discriminating properties of trehalose are attributed to its structure, symmetry, solubility, kinetic and thermodynamic stability and versatility. While syntheses of trehalose-based polymer networks can be straightforward, syntheses and characterization of well defined linear polymers with tailored properties using trehalose-based monomers is challenging, and typically involves protection and deprotection of hydroxyl groups to attain desired structural, morphological, biological, and physical and chemical properties in the resulting products. In this review, we will overview known literature on trehalose’s fascinating involvement in cryptobiology; highlight its applications in many fields; and then discuss methods we used to prepare new trehalose-based monomers and polymers and explain their properties.