Oxime Cross-Linked Biocompatible Polymer Hydrogels and Methods of Use Thereof

Abstract

Methods and hydrogels for preventing or reducing cellular adhesion and protein adsorption to a tissue (e.g. cardiac tissue) are disclosed. The hydrogels generally include at least three component polymers, a first polymer including an aminooxy group, a second polymer including a reactive oxo group, that are cross-linked by oxime bonds and a third polymer including a catechol group, that causes better retention on the cardiac tissue. The hydrogels are suitable for binding to and coating a tissue or cell. The hydrogels operate to reduce cellular adhesions and protein adsorption to the tissue or cell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An oxime cross-linked biocompatible hydrogel comprising:
 a first polymer comprising an aminooxy group selected from a hydroxyl amine and an alkoxy amine polymerized to a second polymer comprising a reactive oxo group, and a third polymer comprising a catechol group, wherein the hydrogel has a surface comprising a surface oxo group that reversibly binds an amine group on a living tissue surface to form an imine.   
     
     
         2 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive oxo group and the surface oxo group are ketones. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive oxo group and the surface oxo group are aldehydes. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the aminooxy group is a hydroxyl amine. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the aminooxy group is an alkoxy amine. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the catechol group is dopamine. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of first polymer:second polymer:third polymer is 1:1:0.75-1. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are each selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene glycol), multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol), copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol), multi-arm copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol), hyaluronic acid, alginate, dextran, carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose, poly(vinyl alcohol), or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer comprises eight-armed aminooxy poly(ethylene glycol) and the second polymer comprises eight-armed oxo poly(ethylene glycol). 
     
     
         10 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer comprises eight-armed aminooxy poly(ethylene glycol) and the second polymer comprises aldehyde poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(vinyl alcohol). 
     
     
         11 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the third polymer comprises an eight-armed catechol poly(ethylene glycol). 
     
     
         12 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel comprises approximately between 25 and 200 mg/mL of the first polymer and the second polymer in final concentration of hydrogels. 
     
     
         13 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel has a storage modulus of about less than 20 kPa. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel has a swelling ratio of less than about 130%. 
     
     
         15 . The hydrogel of  claim 1 , further comprising a bioactive agent. 
     
     
         16 . A method of administering an oxime cross-linked bioadhesive hydrogel to a tissue for use as an in-situ anti-adhesion barrier comprising:
 administering to a living tissue of an individual an effective amount of a combination of a first polymer comprising an aminooxy group selected from a hydroxyl amine and an alkoxy amine, a second polymer comprising a reactive oxo group, and a third polymer comprising a catechol group,   wherein the first polymer and second polymer are initially mixed and react to form an oxime cross-linked biocompatible hydrogel proximate to the tissue,   wherein the hydrogel has a surface comprising a surface oxo group, and   wherein the surface oxo group reversibly binds a surface amine on the tissue to form an imine.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tissue is cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the oxime cross-linked biocompatible hydrogel is formed in about 5 minutes or less. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the combination of the first polymer, the second polymer and the third polymer is administered by spraying, dripping, or painting the first polymer, the second and the third polymer directly onto the tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the hydrogel is capable of adhering to the tissue for about two or more weeks. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the hydrogel reduces cellular adhesion and protein adsorption to the tissue. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising reversing hydrogel cross-linking by administering a free aminooxy group selected from a hydroxyl amine and an alkoxy amine, or a reactive oxo group. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the weight ratio of first polymer:second polymer:third polymer is 1:1:0.75-1.