Well-Defined Glycopolymers from RAFT Polymerization: Poly(methyl 6-O-methacryloyl-α-d-glucoside) and Its Block Copolymer with 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate

Synthesis of a pyridyl disulfide end-functionalized glycopolymer for conjugation to biomolecules and patterning on gold surfaces

A pyridyl disulfide end-functionalized polymer with N-acetyl-d-glucosamine pendant side-chains was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The glycopolymer was prepared from a pyridyl disulfide initiator catalyzed by a Cu(I)/Cu(II)/2,2'-bipyridine system in a mixture of methanol and water at 30 degrees C. The final polymer had a number-average molecular weight (M(n)) of 13.0 kDa determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and a narrow polydispersity index (1.12) determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The pyridyl disulfide end-group was then utilized to conjugate the glycopolymer to a double-stranded short interfering RNA (siRNA). Characterization of the glycopolymer-siRNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) showed 97% conjugation. The activated disulfide polymer was also patterned on gold via microcontact printing. The pyridyl disulfide allowed for ready immobilization of the glycopolymer into 200 microm sized features on the surface.

Spherical Glycopolymer Architectures using RAFT: From Stars with a ?-Cyclodextrin Core to Thermoresponsive Core–Shell Particles

Glycopolymers with a seven-arm star architectures based on a β-cyclodextrin core (β-CD-RAFT) were successfully prepared using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. A bimodal molecular weight distribution was observed in the early stages of the polymerization. At monomer conversions of N-acryloyl glucose (AGA) above 10% the polymerization proceeded according to a living behaviour and molecular weights of more than 200000 g mol–1 were obtained. However, the resulting star polymers did not undergo well-controlled chain extension with N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) and the formation of block structures in each arm was prevented. Alternatively, the arm-first technique was employed. Block copolymers based on AGA and PNIPAAm were self-assembled into micelles at a solution temperature above the lower critical solution temperature. Subsequent core-crosslinking with hexan-1,6-diol diacrylate resulted in unimolecular micelles with thermoresponsive properties. Dynamic light scattering studies, surface tensiometry, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of core–shell particles.

Preparation of biotinylated glyconanoparticles via a photochemical process and study of their bioconjugation to streptavidin

We report here the preparation of novel biotinylated glyconanoparticles from well-defined biotinylated glycopolymers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) synthesized via the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process. The in situ reduction of the biotinylated glycopolymers, PNIPAAm, poly(ethylene glycol), and HAuCl4 via a photochemical process resulted in the formation of biotinylated gold nanoparticles. The multifunctional biotinylated glyconanoparticles were then evaluated for their bioconjugation toward streptavidin using UV-vis spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The biotinylated nanoparticles underwent aggregation in the presence of streptavidin as revealed by spectrophotometry, which indicates the accessibility of the biotin for conjugation. These results were further confirmed by surface plasmon resonance even in the case of surface-immobilized streptavidin.

Shell-Cross-Linked Micelles Containing Cationic Polymers Synthesized via the RAFT Process: Toward a More Biocompatible Gene Delivery System

Block copolymers poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)-b-poly(polyethylene glycol methacrylate) (PDMAEMA-b-P(PEGMA)) were prepared via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). The polymerization was found to proceed with the expected living behavior resulting in block copolymers with varying block sizes of low polydispersity (PDI <1.3). The resulting block copolymer was self-assembled in an aqueous environment, leading to the formation of pH-responsive micelles. Further stabilization of the micellar system was performed in water using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and the RAFT process to cross-link the shell. The cross-linked micelle was found to have properties significantly different from those of the uncross-linked block copolymer micelle. While a distinct critical micelle concentration (CMC) was observed using block copolymers, the CMC was absent in the cross-linked system. In addition, a better stability against disintegration was observed when altering the ionic strength such as the absence of changes of the hydrodynamic diameter with increasing NaCl concentration. Both cross-linked and uncross-linked micelles displayed good binding ability for genes. However, the cross-linked system exhibited a slightly superior tendency to bind oligonucleotides. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed a significant improvement of the biocompatibility of the synthesized cross-linked micelle compared to that of the highly toxic PDMAEMA. The cross-linked micelles were taken up by cells without causing any signs of cell damage, while the PDMAEMA homopolymer clearly led to cell death.

Construction of a comb-like glycosylated membrane surface by a combination of UV-induced graft polymerization and surface-initiated ATRP

Carbohydrate residues are found on the extracellular side of the cell membrane. They form a protective coating on the outer surface of the cell and are involved in intercellular recognition. Synthetic carbohydrate-based polymers, so-called glycopolymers, are emerging as important well-defined tools for investigating carbohydrate-based biological processes and for simulating various functions of carbohydrates. In this work, the surface of a polypropylene microporous membrane (PPMM) was modified with comb-like glycopolymer brushes by a combination of UV-induced graft polymerization and surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was first grafted to the PPMM surface under UV irradiation in the presence of benzophenone and ferric chloride. ATRP initiator was then coupled to the hydroxyl groups of poly(HEMA) brushes. Surface-initiated ATRP of a glycomonomer, D-gluconamidoethyl methacrylate, was followed at ambient temperature in aqueous solvent. Water had a significant acceleration effect on the ATRP process; however, loss of control over the polymerization process was also observed. The addition of CuBr2 to the ATRP system largely increased the controllability at the cost of the polymerization rate. The grafting of HEMA, the coupling of ATRP initiator to the hydroxyl groups, and the surface-initiated ATRP were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Facile preparation of glyconanoparticles and their bioconjugation to streptavidin

Well-defined glycopolymers containing linear and cyclic carbohydrate moieties as pendent groups were prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). The RAFT synthesized glycopolymers were used for the aqueous synthesis of stabilized glyconanoparticles. The in situ reduction of the glycopolymers and HAuCl4 resulted in the formation of highly stable modified gold nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 40 to 80 nm in aqueous media. Multifunctional glyconanoparticles were also generated in the presence of varying amounts of biotinylated-polyethyleneglycol (bio-PEG-SH) having terminal thiol groups. The gold nanoparticles underwent aggregation in the presence of streptavidin as revealed by UV-vis spectroscopy. The availability of the biotin for conjugation to streptavidin was also confirmed using surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

Biotinylated glycopolymers synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization

Biotinylated glycopolymers that bind to the protein streptavidin were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Poly(methacrylate)s with pendent N-acetyl-d-glucosamines were prepared by polymerizing the protected monomer, followed by deprotection. Alternatively, the unprotected monomer was directly polymerized. Both paths provided well-defined glycopolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (PDI = 1.07-1.23). The number-average molecular weights determined by gel permeation chromatography increased with increasing initial monomer-to-initiator ratios. The polymers were synthesized using a biotin-functionalized initiator for ATRP. Confirmation of the end group and binding to the protein streptavidin was achieved by (1)H NMR and surface plamon resonance.

Immobilized Hyperbranched Glycoacrylate Films as Bioactive Supports

[Image: see text] We report on the low-pressure plasma immobilization, characterization and application of thin films of hyperbranched glycoacrylates, poly(3-O-acryloyl-alpha,beta-D-glucopyranoside) (AGlc), on PTFE-like fluorocarbon surfaces. This method is an efficient and versatile way to immobilize sugar-carrying branched acrylates as thin films of approximately 5 nm thickness on polymeric substrates while the functional groups and properties of the immobilized molecules are largely retained. The extent of poly(AGlc) degradation during plasma immobilization was investigated using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and XPS. The thickness and topography of the immobilized films were characterized using spectroscopic ellipsometry and SFM, respectively. Studies of protein adsorption, as well as cell adhesion and proliferation on the poly(AGlc) surfaces, showed that these materials are suitable for the control of biointerfacial phenomena. Fluorescence images of fibronectin adsorbed on to the branched glycoacrylate with a mask.

1-O-Vinyl Glycosides via Tebbe Olefination, Their Use as Chiral Auxiliaries and Monomers

A series of anomerically pure 1-O-formyl glycosides 1 was prepared and converted into the corresponding 1-O-vinyl glycosides 2 by Tebbe olefination. The unsubstituted vinyl glycosides were obtained as anomerically pure compounds in good yields, and the method of preparation was compatible with the presence of a variety of functional groups. Remarkably, the anomeric formate group was regioselectively converted into the corresponding olefin in the presence of acetate and benzoate protecting groups. With the perspective to use the 1-O-vinyl glycosides as monomers for the preparation of glycosylated poly(vinyl alcohol) derivatives with controlled tacticity, their scope as chiral auxiliaries for a stereodifferentiation in addition reactions to the olefin function was investigated by using the [2+2] cycloaddition to dichloroketene as a model reaction. In particular, vinyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-d-mannopyranoside (2i) exhibited excellent diastereoselectivity. Finally, the 1-O-vinyl glycosides were successfully subjected to radical homopolymerization in bulk or used as electron-rich comonomers in radical copolymerizations with maleic anhydride, yielding alternating, glycosylated poly(vinyl alcohol-alt-maleic anhydride).

Well-Defined Lactose-Containing Polymer Grafted onto Silica Particles

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 2-O-meth-acryloyloxyethoxyl-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1-4)-2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (MAEL) was performed directly in CHCl3 solutions using cumyl dithiobenzoate (CDB) as the chain transfer agent to give well-defined glycopolymers. The chemical composition and structure of the glycopolymer were characterized by 1HNMR, FTIR, and SEC. The living glycopolymer chains were subsequently grafted onto gamma-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxy (MPTMS) modified silica particles. The acetyl groups of the poly(MAEL) grafted onto the silica gel particles were converted to the hydroxyl groups with CH3ONa/CH3OH, thus obtaining silica gel particles modified with well-defined lactose-carrying polymer.