Synthesis and bioactivities of poly(ethylene glycol)-chitosan hybrids

Poly(ethylene glycol)-chitosan hybrids of various molecular weights having different degree of substitution were synthesized, by reductive N-alkylatio n of chitosan with poly(ethylene glycol) aldehyde, to study their bioactivi ties. The influence of these chitosan derivatives on the reactive oxygen sp ecies generation from canine polymorphonuclear leukocyte cells was investig ated in vitro by chemiluminescence response. Reactive oxygen species genera tion by the influence of poly(ethylene glycol) -chitosan hybrids was decrea sed with the increase of degree of substitution. The reduction of interacti on of poly(ethylene glycol) -chitosan hybrids with polymorphonuclear leukoc yte cells might be caused by the decrease of amino group in chitosan main c hain and increase of the steric hindrance by poly(ethylene glycol) chain. T he influence of the poly(ethylene glycol)-chitosan hybrids on complement co mponent C3 activation was investigated by single radial immunodiffusion met hod. Influence on complement component C3 activation by poly(ethylene glyco l) -chitosan hybrids was almost same as chitosan. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.