Bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel: Synthesis, characterization, and monitoring system of tumor-triggering carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels with GM3 trisaccharides and those with Gg3 trisaccharides were constructed from commercially available nata de coco via NaIO4 oxidation, reductive amination using propargylamine, and click conjugation with the corresponding glycosyl azides. Since these hydrogels are visible to the naked eye, their assembly in aqueous media could be readily monitored without costly devices. This is the first naked-eye system for monitoring GM3-Gg3 interactions, which are deeply associated with tumor metastases. Reference experiments using bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels carrying lactosides or those carrying glucosides showed that each carbohydrate subunit of GM3 trisaccharide and Gg3 trisaccharide substantially contributes to GM3-Gg3 interactions.

Keywords

• Bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel
• Carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction
• First naked-eye system for monitoring GM3-Gg3 interactions
• Tumor metastases