Photo-crosslinked networks prepared from fumaric acid monoethyl ester-functionalized poly(D,L-lactic acid) oligomers and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone for the controlled and sustained release of proteins.

Photo-crosslinked networks were prepared from fumaric acid monoethyl ester-functionalized poly(D,L-lactic acid) oligomers and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. Two model proteins, lysozyme and albumin, were incorporated into the network films as solid particles and their release behavior was studied. By varying the NVP content and macromer molecular weight the degradation behavior and protein release profiles of the prepared networks could be tuned. The more hydrophilic and less densely crosslinked networks released albumin and lysozyme at a faster rate. Although active lysozyme was released from the networks over the complete release period, lysozyme release was often incomplete. This was most likely caused by electrostatic and/or hydrophobic interactions between the protein and the degrading polymer network.