Covalently binding mucoadhesive polymers: N-hydroxysuccinimide grafted polyacrylates.

Aim: The aim of the study was to establish a novel type of covalently mucus-binding polymers by targeting selectively amino groups within mucus glycoproteins.

Methods: N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) was attached to carboxylic groups of polyacrylic acid (PAA). The reaction was mediated by the coupling reagent N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) achieving polymeric NHS esters being able to form amide bonds with free amino groups.