Highly Branched Sulfated Glycopolymers as Mucin Mimetics.

ABSTRACT: Mucins are highly complex glycoproteins that form protective and lubricating barriers around epithelial surfaces, e.g., in the respiratory tract, to protect against pathogens. The isolation and purification of natural mucins without compromising their structure and thus their properties remain challenging. Glycopolymers as mucin mimetics have shown great potential in biomedical research, for example, in mucosal barrier enhancement and respiratory disease treatment, or in improving surface lubrication and adhesion properties. Here, we introduce double-brushed mucin mimetic glycopolymers, replicating for the first time a structural design that more closely imitates key architectural features of natural mucins. By combining solid-phase synthesis of sequence-defined glycooligomers and their at

SUBMITTER: Feldhof MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12426936 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature