Fluorescence study of freeze-drying as a method for support the interactions between hyaluronan and hydrophobic species

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 12; no. 9; p. e0184558
• Main Authors: Michalicová, Petra, Mravec, Filip, Pekař, Miloslav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 08-09-2017; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Acids; Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biology and Life Sciences; Biopolymers; Biopolymers - chemistry; Carbohydrates; Chemistry; Drugs; Fluorescence; Fluorescent indicators; Freeze Drying; Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronic Acid - chemistry; Hydration; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Hydrophobicity; Medical research; Molecular Structure; Molecular weight; Nanoparticles; Patches (structures); Pharmaceutical sciences; Physical Sciences; Polarity; Probes; Research and Analysis Methods; Solubilization; Spectrometry, Fluorescence - methods
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184558

A freeze-drying method enabling solubilization of hydrophobic species in aqueous solutions of native hyaluronan is described. The method is based on opening the access to supposed hydrophobic patches on hyaluronan by disturbing its massive hydration shell. Hydrophobic and/or polarity-sensitive fluorescence probes were used as hydrophobic models or indicators of interactions with hydrophobic patches. Fluorescence parameters specific to individual probes confirmed the efficiency of the freeze-drying method. This work is the first step in developing biocompatible and biodegradable carriers for hydrophobic drugs with targeted distribution of the active compound from native, chemically non-modified hyaluronan.