Non-immunogenic, biocompatible macromolecular membrane compositions, and methods for making them

Abstract

Non-immunogenic biocompatible macromolecular sheet composition are formed from a cellulosic membrane, a binding moiety having a plurality of functional groups, and a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). The binding moiety has the formula of R,—X—R,wherein R,and R,are the same or different. The binding moiety, through functional groups binds the cellulosic membrane with the glycosaminoglycan. R,is covalently bound to a carbon or an oxygen of the cellulosic membrane. R,is covalently bound to a carbon, an oxygen, or a nitrogen of the glycosaminoglycan. The binding moiety can be bis-oxyrane, butanediol-diglycidyl ether (BDE), or divinyl sulfone. The cellulosic membrane can be a cellulosic membrane, partially acetylated cellulose and a copolymer of hydroxyethyl-methacrylate with methyl methacrylate, abbreviated as HEMA-MMA. The non-immunogenic biocompatible macromolecular sheet composition can be formed into a pouch to encapsulate cells, tissues, pharmaceuticals, or biological metabolic products. In addition, the non-immunogenic biocompatible macromolecular sheet composition can also be used as a skin graft or a skin substitute. Further, these non-immunogenic biocompatible macromolecular sheet composition can also be used as a surface to culture cells in vitro.