<i>In Vitro</i> Biocompatibility and Endothelial Permeability of Branched Polyglycidols Generated by Ring-Opening Polymerization of Glycidol with B(C<sub>6</sub>F<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub> under Dry and Wet Conditions
Carlo Andrea Pagnacco, Marcelo Kravicz, Francesco Saverio Sica, Veronica Fontanini, Estíbaliz González de San Román, Reidar Lund, Francesca Re, Fabienne Barroso‐Bujans
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Polyglycidol or polyglycerol (PG), a polyether widely used in biomedical applications, has not been extensively studied in its branched cyclic form ( bc PG), despite extensive research on hyperbranched PG (HPG). This study explores the biomedical promise of bc PG, particularly its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). We evaluate in vitro biocompatibility, endothelial permeability, and formation of branched linear PG ( bl PG) as topological impurities in the presence of water. Small angle X-ray scattering in solution revealed a fractal dimension of approximately two for bc PG and the mixture bc+bl PG, suggesting random branching. Comparisons of cytotoxicity and endothelial permeability between bc PG, bc+bl PG, and HPG in a BBB model using hCMEC/D3 cells showed different biocompatibility profiles and higher endothelial permeability for HPG. bc PG showed a tendency to accumulate around cell nuclei, in contrast to the behavior of HPG. This study contributes to the understanding of the influence of polymer topology on biological behavior.