Transformation of Cytotoxic Linear Polyethyleneimine (L-PEI) Into Biocompatible and Hemacompatible Crosslinked Particles With Antimicrobial Properties


Demirci S., SUNER S. C., ŞAHİNER M., Guven O., ŞAHİNER N.

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, cilt.143, sa.10, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 143 Sayı: 10
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1002/app.70209
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: biomedical applications, crosslinking, functionalization of polymers, hydrophilic polymers, stimuli-sensitive polymers
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Linear polyethyleneimine (L-PEI) microgel/particles were prepared using glycerol diglycidyl ether (GDE) as crosslinker at various mole ratios, 10%, 25%, and 50% of L-PEI repeating unit, and designated as L-PEI-1, L-PEI-2, and L-PEI-3, respectively. All microgels were found blood compatible with < 2% hemolysis and > 80% blood clotting indexes at 1000 μg/mL concentrations, whereas L-PEI is hemolytic (> 80% hemolysis). Similarly, L-PEI showed cytotoxicity on L929 fibroblasts even at 50 μg/mL, while > 80% cell viability was observed for L-PEI-based particles even at 1000 μg/mL. Although it is regarded as less cytotoxic than branched PEI, the cross-linked L-PEI particles effectively circumvent cytotoxicity as the most important limitation of L-PEI in biological applications. Additionally, the higher antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, gram-negative bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, gram-positive bacteria strains, and Candida albicans, yeast strains was observed for L-PEI-1 and protonated L-PEI-1 particles. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of L-PEI-1 particles was further improved after the inclusion of Ag(I) and Cu(II) ions within L-PEI particles as Ag@L-PEI-1 and Cu@L-PEI-1 composites, respectively. The lower MIC and MBC values were determined for Ag@L-PEI-1 particles against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as 0.079 and 0.312 mg/mL, respectively, and an MFC value for Candida albicans was 0.156 mg/mL for Ag@L-PEI-1 particles.