1
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Cao S, Wu H, Pijpers IAB, Shao J, Abdelmohsen LKEA, Williams DS, van Hest JCM. Cucurbit-Like Polymersomes with Aggregation-Induced Emission Properties Show Enzyme-Mediated Motility. ACS NANO 2021; 15:18270-18278. [PMID: 34668368 PMCID: PMC8613902 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c07343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes that incorporate aggregation-induced emission (AIE) moieties are attractive inherently fluorescent nanoparticles with biomedical application potential for cell/tissue imaging and tracking, as well as phototherapeutics. An intriguing feature that has not been explored yet is their ability to adopt a range of asymmetric morphologies. Structural asymmetry allows nanoparticles to be exploited as active (motile) systems. Here, we present the design and preparation of AIE fluorophore integrated (AIEgenic) cucurbit-shaped polymersome nanomotors with enzyme-powered motility. The cucurbit scaffold was constructed via morphology engineering of biodegradable fluorescent AIE-polymersomes, followed by functionalization with enzymatic machinery via a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly process. Because of the enzyme-mediated decomposition of chemical fuel on the cucurbit-like nanomotor surface, enhanced directed motion was attained, when compared with the spherical counterparts. These cucurbit-shaped biodegradable AIE-nanomotors provide a promising platform for the development of active delivery systems with potential for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoupeng Cao
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hanglong Wu
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Imke A. B. Pijpers
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jingxin Shao
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - David S. Williams
- School
of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University
of Bristol, University
Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
| | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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2
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Rapp TL, DeForest CA. Targeting drug delivery with light: A highly focused approach. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 171:94-107. [PMID: 33486009 PMCID: PMC8127392 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Light is a uniquely powerful tool for controlling molecular events in biology. No other external input (e.g., heat, ultrasound, magnetic field) can be so tightly focused or so highly regulated as a clinical laser. Drug delivery vehicles that can be photonically activated have been developed across many platforms, from the simplest "caging" of therapeutics in a prodrug form, to more complex micelles and circulating liposomes that improve drug uptake and efficacy, to large-scale hydrogel platforms that can be used to protect and deliver macromolecular agents including full-length proteins. In this Review, we discuss recent innovations in photosensitive drug delivery and highlight future opportunities to engineer and exploit such light-responsive technologies in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa L Rapp
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Cole A DeForest
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
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3
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Reimhult E, Virk MM. Hybrid lipopolymer vesicle drug delivery and release systems. J Biomed Res 2021; 35:301-309. [PMID: 34421006 PMCID: PMC8383167 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.35.20200206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid lipopolymer vesicles are membrane vesicles that can be self-assembled on both the micro- and nano-scale. On the nanoscale, they are potential novel smart materials for drug delivery systems that could combine the relative strengths of liposome and polymersome drug delivery systems without their respective weaknesses. However, little is known about their properties and how they could be tailored. Currently, most methods of investigation are limited to the microscale. Here we provide a brief review on hybrid vesicle systems with a specific focus on recent developments demonstrating that nanoscale hybrid vesicles have different properties from their macroscale counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Reimhult
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Biologically Inspired Materials, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mudassar Mumtaz Virk
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Biologically Inspired Materials, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 1190 Vienna, Austria
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4
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Manzer ZA, Ghosh S, Jacobs ML, Krishnan S, Zipfel WR, Piñeros M, Kamat NP, Daniel S. Cell-Free Synthesis of a Transmembrane Mechanosensitive Channel Protein into a Hybrid-Supported Lipid Bilayer. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:3101-3112. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Manzer
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Miranda L. Jacobs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | | | - Warren R. Zipfel
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Miguel Piñeros
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, US Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Neha P. Kamat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Susan Daniel
- R.F. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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5
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DiSalvo GM, Robinson AR, Aly MS, Hoglund ER, O’Malley SM, Griepenburg JC. Polymersome Poration and Rupture Mediated by Plasmonic Nanoparticles in Response to Single-Pulse Irradiation. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12102381. [PMID: 33081104 PMCID: PMC7602809 DOI: 10.3390/polym12102381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers into polymeric vesicles, commonly known as polymersomes, results in a versatile system for a variety of applications including drug delivery and microreactors. In this study, we show that the incorporation of hydrophobic plasmonic nanoparticles within the polymersome membrane facilitates light-stimulated release of vesicle encapsulants. This work seeks to achieve tunable, triggered release with non-invasive, spatiotemporal control using single-pulse irradiation. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are incorporated as photosensitizers into the hydrophobic membrane of micron-scale polymersomes and the cargo release profile is controlled by varying the pulse energy and nanoparticle concentration. We have demonstrated the ability to achieve immediate vesicle rupture as well as vesicle poration resulting in temporal cargo diffusion. Additionally, changing the pulse duration, from femtosecond to nanosecond, provides mechanistic insight into the photothermal and photomechanical contributors that govern membrane disruption in this polymer-nanoparticle hybrid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M. DiSalvo
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University-Camden, 315 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102, USA; (G.M.D.); (A.R.R.)
| | - Abby R. Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University-Camden, 315 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102, USA; (G.M.D.); (A.R.R.)
| | - Mohamed S. Aly
- Department of Physics, Rutgers University-Camden, 227 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102, USA; (M.S.A.); (S.M.O.)
| | - Eric R. Hoglund
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Thornton Hall, P.O. Box 400259, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA;
| | - Sean M. O’Malley
- Department of Physics, Rutgers University-Camden, 227 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102, USA; (M.S.A.); (S.M.O.)
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ 08102, USA
| | - Julianne C. Griepenburg
- Department of Physics, Rutgers University-Camden, 227 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102, USA; (M.S.A.); (S.M.O.)
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ 08102, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-856-225-6293
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6
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Diblock copolymers enhance folding of a mechanosensitive membrane protein during cell-free expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:4031-4036. [PMID: 30760590 PMCID: PMC6410776 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1814775116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane protein folding is a critical step that underlies proper cellular function as well as the design of technologies like vesicle-based biosensors and artificial cells. Membrane composition is known to play a role in membrane protein folding; however, the specific mechanical properties of membranes that govern protein folding remain unclear. Using a highly elastic nonnatural amphiphile, we highlight the importance of a membrane mechanical property, membrane elasticity, on the spontaneous insertion and folding of a model α-helical membrane protein. Through this study, we gain a deeper understanding of cellular membrane protein folding and offer a potential approach to improve the production of membrane proteins through optimizing the mechanical properties of synthetic scaffolds present in cell-free reactions. The expression and integration of membrane proteins into vesicle membranes is a critical step in the design of cell-mimetic biosensors, bioreactors, and artificial cells. While membrane proteins have been integrated into a variety of nonnatural membranes, the effects of the chemical and physical properties of these vesicle membranes on protein behavior remain largely unknown. Nonnatural amphiphiles, such as diblock copolymers, provide an interface that can be synthetically controlled to better investigate this relationship. Here, we focus on the initial step in a membrane protein’s life cycle: expression and folding. We observe improvements in both the folding and overall production of a model mechanosensitive channel protein, the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance, during cell-free reactions when vesicles containing diblock copolymers are present. By systematically tuning the membrane composition of vesicles through incorporation of a poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(butadiene) diblock copolymer, we show that membrane protein folding and production can be improved over that observed in traditional lipid vesicles. We then reproduce this effect with an alternate membrane-elasticizing molecule, C12E8. Our results suggest that global membrane physical properties, specifically available membrane surface area and the membrane area expansion modulus, significantly influence the folding and yield of a membrane protein. Furthermore, our results set the stage for explorations into how nonnatural membrane amphiphiles can be used to both study and enhance the production of biological membrane proteins.
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7
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Karandish F, Mamnoon B, Feng L, Haldar MK, Xia L, Gange KN, You S, Choi Y, Sarkar K, Mallik S. Nucleus-Targeted, Echogenic Polymersomes for Delivering a Cancer Stemness Inhibitor to Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:4122-4132. [PMID: 30169024 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b01133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic agents for treating cancers show considerable side effects, toxicity, and drug resistance. To mitigate the problems, we designed nucleus-targeted, echogenic, stimuli-responsive polymeric vesicles (polymersomes) to transport and subsequently release the encapsulated anticancer drugs within the nuclei of pancreatic cancer cells. We synthesized an alkyne-dexamethasone derivative and conjugated it to N3-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-polylactic acid (PLA) copolymer employing the Cu2+ catalyzed "Click" reaction. We prepared polymersomes from the dexamethasone-PEG-PLA conjugate along with a synthesized stimuli-responsive polymer PEG-S-S-PLA. The dexamethasone group dilates the nuclear pore complexes and transports the vesicles to the nuclei. We designed the polymersomes to release the encapsulated drugs in the presence of a high concentration of reducing agents in the nuclei of pancreatic cancer cells. We observed that the nucleus-targeted, stimuli-responsive polymersomes released 70% of encapsulated contents in the nucleus-mimicking environment in 80 min. We encapsulated the cancer stemness inhibitor BBI608 in the vesicles and observed that the BBI608 encapsulated polymersomes reduced the viability of the BxPC3 cells to 43% in three-dimensional spheroid cultures. The polymersomes were prepared following a special protocol so that they scatter ultrasound, allowing imaging by a medical ultrasound scanner. Therefore, these echogenic, targeted, stimuli-responsive, and drug-encapsulated polymersomes have the potential for trackable, targeted carrier of chemotherapeutic drugs to cancer cell nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lang Xia
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , The George Washington University , Washington, D.C. 20052 , United States
| | | | | | | | - Kausik Sarkar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , The George Washington University , Washington, D.C. 20052 , United States
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8
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Leong J, Teo JY, Aakalu VK, Yang YY, Kong H. Engineering Polymersomes for Diagnostics and Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701276. [PMID: 29334183 PMCID: PMC6377267 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Engineered polymer vesicles, termed as polymersomes, confer a flexibility to control their structure, properties, and functionality. Self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers leads to vesicles consisting of a hydrophobic bilayer membrane and hydrophilic core, each of which is loaded with a wide array of small and large molecules of interests. As such, polymersomes are increasingly being studied as carriers of imaging probes and therapeutic drugs. Effective delivery of polymersomes necessitates careful design of polymersomes. Therefore, this review article discusses the design strategies of polymersomes developed for enhanced transport and efficacy of imaging probes and therapeutic drugs. In particular, the article focuses on overviewing technologies to regulate the size, structure, shape, surface activity, and stimuli- responsiveness of polymersomes and discussing the extent to which these properties and structure of polymersomes influence the efficacy of cargo molecules. Taken together with future considerations, this article will serve to improve the controllability of polymersome functions and accelerate the use of polymersomes in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Leong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Jye Yng Teo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Vinay K. Aakalu
- Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Yi Yan Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Hyunjoon Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,
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9
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Pugliese E, Coentro JQ, Zeugolis DI. Advancements and Challenges in Multidomain Multicargo Delivery Vehicles. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1704324. [PMID: 29446161 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201704324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Reparative and regenerative processes are well-orchestrated temporal and spatial events that are governed by multiple cells, molecules, signaling pathways, and interactions thereof. Yet again, currently available implantable devices fail largely to recapitulate nature's complexity and sophistication in this regard. Herein, success stories and challenges in the field of layer-by-layer, composite, self-assembly, and core-shell technologies are discussed for the development of multidomain/multicargo delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Pugliese
- Regenerative, Modular and Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Ireland
- Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Ireland
| | - João Q Coentro
- Regenerative, Modular and Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Ireland
- Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Ireland
| | - Dimitrios I Zeugolis
- Regenerative, Modular and Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Ireland
- Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Ireland
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10
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Rapp TL, Highley CB, Manor BC, Burdick JA, Dmochowski IJ. Ruthenium-Crosslinked Hydrogels with Rapid, Visible-Light Degradation. Chemistry 2018; 24:2328-2333. [PMID: 29161461 PMCID: PMC5915374 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201704580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Incorporation of photoresponsive molecules within soft materials can provide spatiotemporal control over bulk properties and address challenges in targeted delivery and mechanical variability. However, the kinetics of in situ photochemical reactions are often slow and typically employ ultraviolet wavelengths. Here, we present a novel photoactive crosslinker Ru(bipyridine)2 (3-pyridinaldehyde)2 (RuAldehyde), which was reacted with hydrazide-functionalized hyaluronic acid to form hydrogels capable of encapsulating protein cargo. Visible light irradiation (400-500 nm) initiated rapid ligand exchange on the ruthenium center, which degraded the hydrogel within seconds to minutes, depending on gel thickness. An exemplar enzyme cargo, TEM1 β-lactamase, was loaded into and photoreleased from the Ru-hydrogel. To expand their applications, Ru-hydrogels were also processed into microgels using a microfluidic platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa L Rapp
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 S 34th St., Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher B Highley
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian C Manor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 S 34th St., Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ivan J Dmochowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 S 34th St., Philadelphia, PA, USA
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11
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Petit J, Thomi L, Schultze J, Makowski M, Negwer I, Koynov K, Herminghaus S, Wurm FR, Bäumchen O, Landfester K. A modular approach for multifunctional polymersomes with controlled adhesive properties. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:894-900. [PMID: 29303200 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01885a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The bottom-up approach in synthetic biology involves the engineering of synthetic cells by designing biological and chemical building blocks, which can be combined in order to mimic cellular functions. The first step for mimicking a living cell is the design of an appropriate compartment featuring a multifunctional membrane. This is of particular interest since it allows for the selective attachment of different groups or molecules to the membrane. In this context, we report on a modular approach for polymeric vesicles, so-called polymersomes, with a multifunctional surface, namely hydroxyl, alkyne and acrylate groups. We demonstrate that the surface of the polymersome can be functionalized to facilitate imaging, via fluorescent dyes, or to improve the specific adhesion to surfaces by using a biotin functionalization. This generally applicable multifunctionality allows for the covalent integration of various molecules in the membrane of a synthetic cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Petit
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS), 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Laura Thomi
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP), 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Jennifer Schultze
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP), 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Marcin Makowski
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS), 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Inka Negwer
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP), 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Kaloian Koynov
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP), 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Stephan Herminghaus
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS), 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Frederik R Wurm
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP), 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Oliver Bäumchen
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS), 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F. Mason
- School of Chemistry, the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyThe University of New South WalesSydney Australia
| | - Pall Thordarson
- School of Chemistry, the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio‐Nano Science and TechnologyThe University of New South WalesSydney Australia
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13
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Medina-Flores JV, Arce-Estrada EM, Corrales-Luna M, Romero-Hernández A, Manzo-Robledo A. Photoelectrochemical and spectroscopical surface analysis of TiO2 nanorods/Ag nanoparticles toward organic carboxylic acids oxidation. J Solid State Electrochem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-017-3553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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Martino C, deMello AJ. Droplet-based microfluidics for artificial cell generation: a brief review. Interface Focus 2016; 6:20160011. [PMID: 27499841 PMCID: PMC4918832 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2016.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial cells are best defined as micrometre-sized structures able to mimic many of the morphological and functional characteristics of a living cell. In this mini-review, we describe progress in the application of droplet-based microfluidics for the generation of artificial cells and protocells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Martino
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
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15
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Jang WS, Park SC, Reed EH, Dooley KP, Wheeler SF, Lee D, Hammer DA. Enzymatically triggered rupture of polymersomes. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:1014-20. [PMID: 26616557 PMCID: PMC5148629 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm01881a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes are robust vesicles made from amphiphilic block co-polymers. Large populations of uniform giant polymersomes with defined, entrapped species can be made by templating of double-emulsions using microfluidics. In the present study, a series of two enzymatic reactions, one inside and the other outside of the polymersome, were designed to induce rupture of polymersomes. We measured how the kinetics of rupture were affected by altering enzyme concentration. These results suggest that protocells with entrapped enzymes can be engineered to secrete contents on cue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Sik Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA.
| | - Seung Chul Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA.
| | - Ellen H Reed
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA.
| | - Kevin P Dooley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro NJ, USA
| | | | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA.
| | - Daniel A Hammer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA. and Department of Bioengineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA
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16
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Adamala K, Engelhart AE, Kamat NP, Jin L, Szostak JW. Construction of a liposome dialyzer for the preparation of high-value, small-volume liposome formulations. Nat Protoc 2015; 10:927-38. [PMID: 26020615 PMCID: PMC4982460 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2015.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The liposome dialyzer is a small-volume equilibrium dialysis device, built from commercially available materials, that is designed for the rapid exchange of small volumes of an extraliposomal reagent pool against a liposome preparation. The dialyzer is prepared by modification of commercially available dialysis cartridges (Slide-A-Lyzer cassettes), and it consists of a reactor with two 300-μl chambers and a 1.56-cm(2) dialysis surface area. The dialyzer is prepared in three stages: (i) disassembling the dialysis cartridges to obtain the required parts, (ii) assembling the dialyzer and (iii) sealing the dialyzer with epoxy. Preparation of the dialyzer takes ∼1.5 h, not including overnight epoxy curing. Each round of dialysis takes 1-24 h, depending on the analyte and membrane used. We previously used the dialyzer for small-volume non-enzymatic RNA synthesis reactions inside fatty acid vesicles. In this protocol, we demonstrate other applications, including removal of unencapsulated calcein from vesicles, remote loading and vesicle microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron E Engelhart
- Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Neha P Kamat
- Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lin Jin
- Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jack W Szostak
- Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Wang HC, Zhang Y, Possanza CM, Zimmerman SC, Cheng J, Moore JS, Harris K, Katz JS. Trigger chemistries for better industrial formulations. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:6369-6382. [PMID: 25768973 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, innovations and consumer demands have led to increasingly complex liquid formulations. These growing complexities have provided industrial players and their customers access to new markets through product differentiation, improved performance, and compatibility/stability with other products. One strategy for enabling more complex formulations is the use of active encapsulation. When encapsulation is employed, strategies are required to effect the release of the active at the desired location and time of action. One particular route that has received significant academic research effort is the employment of triggers to induce active release upon a specific stimulus, though little has translated for industrial use to date. To address emerging industrial formulation needs, in this review, we discuss areas of trigger release chemistries and their applications specifically as relevant to industrial use. We focus the discussion on the use of heat, light, shear, and pH triggers as applied in several model polymeric systems for inducing active release. The goal is that through this review trends will emerge for how technologies can be better developed to maximize their value through industrial adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Chin Wang
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- ‡Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Catherine M Possanza
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- ‡Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Moore
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- §Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Keith Harris
- ∥Formulation Science, Corporate Research and Development, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48667, United States
| | - Joshua S Katz
- ⊥Formulation Science, Corporate Research and Development, The Dow Chemical Company, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
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18
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Griepenburg J, Sood N, Vargo KB, Williams D, Rawson J, Therien MJ, Hammer DA, Dmochowski IJ. Caging metal ions with visible light-responsive nanopolymersomes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:799-807. [PMID: 25518002 PMCID: PMC4303334 DOI: 10.1021/la5036689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes are bilayer vesicles that self-assemble from amphiphilic diblock copolymers, and provide an attractive system for the delivery of biological and nonbiological molecules due to their environmental compatibility, mechanical stability, synthetic tunability, large aqueous core, and hyperthick hydrophobic membrane. Herein, we report a nanoscale photoresponsive polymersome system featuring a meso-to-meso ethyne-bridged bis[(porphinato)zinc] (PZn2) fluorophore hydrophobic membrane solute and dextran in the aqueous core. Upon 488 nm irradiation in solution or in microinjected zebrafish embryos, the polymersomes underwent deformation, as monitored by a characteristic red-shifted PZn2 emission spectrum and confirmed by cryo-TEM. The versatility of this system was demonstrated through the encapsulation and photorelease of a fluorophore (FITC), as well as two different metal ions, Zn(2+) and Ca(2+).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne
C. Griepenburg
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Nimil Sood
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 220 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kevin B. Vargo
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 220 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Dewight Williams
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Jeff Rawson
- Department
of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Michael J. Therien
- Department
of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Daniel A. Hammer
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 220 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, 240 Skirkanich
Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ivan J. Dmochowski
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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19
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Jang WS, Park SC, Kim M, Doh J, Lee D, Hammer DA. The effect of stabilizer on the mechanical response of double-emulsion-templated polymersomes. Macromol Rapid Commun 2014; 36:378-84. [PMID: 25515004 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201400472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that polymersomes templated by microfluidic double-emulsion possess several advantages such as high monodispersity and encapsulation efficiency compared with those generated based on thin-film rehydration and electroformation. Stabilizers, including bovine serum albumin (BSA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), have been used to enhance the formation and stability of double emulsions that are used as templates for the generation of polymersomes. In this work, the effect of stabilizers on the mechanical response of double-emulsion-templated polymersomes using micropipette aspiration is investigated. It is demonstrated that the existence of stabilizers results in the inelastic response in poly-mersomes in the early stage of solvent removal. However, aged polymersomes that have little residual solvent show elastic behavior. Polymersomes prepared from PVA-stabilized double emulsions have noticeably lower area expansion moduli than polymersomes prepared from stabilizer-free and BSA-stabilized double emulsions, suggesting that PVA is incorporated in the bilayer membrane of polymersomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Sik Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 220 South 33rd Street 311A Towne Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6315, USA
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20
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Krishnamoorthy B, Karanam V, Chellan VR, Siram K, Natarajan TS, Gregory M. Polymersomes as an effective drug delivery system for glioma--a review. J Drug Target 2014; 22:469-77. [PMID: 24830300 DOI: 10.3109/1061186x.2014.916712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Glioma is one of the most commonly occurring malignant brain tumours which need proper treatment strategy. The current therapies for treating glioma like surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have failed in achieving satisfactory results and this forms a rationale for the development of novel drug delivery systems. Among them, polymersomes are superior novel carriers with diverse functions like enhanced stability, low permeability, tunable membrane properties, surface functionality, and long blood circulation time which make them suitable for cancer therapy. These are bilayered vesicles capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs used to target glioma effectively. In this review, we have discussed on general preparation, characterization, and targeting aspects of surface modified polymersomes for effective delivery of therapeutic agents to glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakumar Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, PSG College of Pharmacy , Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu , India and
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21
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Multifunctional polymersomes for cytosolic delivery of gemcitabine and doxorubicin to cancer cells. Biomaterials 2014; 35:6482-97. [PMID: 24797878 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although liposomes are widely used as carriers of drugs and imaging agents, they suffer from a lack of stability and the slow release of the encapsulated contents at the targeted site. Polymersomes (vesicles of amphiphilic polymers) are considerably more stable compared to liposomes; however, they also demonstrate a slow release for the encapsulated contents, limiting their efficacy as a drug-delivery tool. As a solution, we prepared and characterized echogenic polymersomes, which are programmed to release the encapsulated drugs rapidly when incubated with cytosolic concentrations of glutathione. These vesicles encapsulated air bubbles inside and efficiently reflected diagnostic-frequency ultrasound. Folate-targeted polymersomes showed an enhanced uptake by breast and pancreatic-cancer cells in a monolayer as well as in three-dimensional spheroid cultures. Polymersomes encapsulated with the anticancer drugs gemcitabine and doxorubicin showed significant cytotoxicity to these cells. With further improvements, these vesicles hold the promise to serve as multifunctional nanocarriers, offering a triggered release as well as diagnostic ultrasound imaging.
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Abstract
The complexity of even the simplest known life forms makes efforts to synthesize living cells from inanimate components seem like a daunting task. However, recent progress toward the creation of synthetic cells, ranging from simple protocells to artificial cells approaching the complexity of bacteria, suggests that the synthesis of life is now a realistic goal. Protocell research, fueled by advances in the biophysics of primitive membranes and the chemistry of nucleic acid replication, is providing new insights into the origin of cellular life. Parallel efforts to construct more complex artificial cells, incorporating translational machinery and protein enzymes, are providing information about the requirements for protein-based life. We discuss recent advances and remaining challenges in the synthesis of artificial cells, the possibility of creating new forms of life distinct from existing biology, and the promise of this research for gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Craig Blain
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; ,
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23
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Wang Z, Wang P, Tang X. Synthesis of Light-Induced Expandable Photoresponsive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Triggered Release. Chempluschem 2013; 78:1273-1281. [DOI: 10.1002/cplu.201300212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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24
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Percec V, Leowanawat P, Sun HJ, Kulikov O, Nusbaum CD, Tran TM, Bertin A, Wilson DA, Peterca M, Zhang S, Kamat NP, Vargo K, Moock D, Johnston ED, Hammer DA, Pochan DJ, Chen Y, Chabre YM, Shiao TC, Bergeron-Brlek M, André S, Roy R, Gabius HJ, Heiney PA. Modular synthesis of amphiphilic Janus glycodendrimers and their self-assembly into glycodendrimersomes and other complex architectures with bioactivity to biomedically relevant lectins. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:9055-77. [PMID: 23692629 DOI: 10.1021/ja403323y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The modular synthesis of 7 libraries containing 51 self-assembling amphiphilic Janus dendrimers with the monosaccharides D-mannose and D-galactose and the disaccharide D-lactose in their hydrophilic part is reported. These unprecedented sugar-containing dendrimers are named amphiphilic Janus glycodendrimers. Their self-assembly by simple injection of THF or ethanol solution into water or buffer and by hydration was analyzed by a combination of methods including dynamic light scattering, confocal microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform analysis, and micropipet-aspiration experiments to assess mechanical properties. These libraries revealed a diversity of hard and soft assemblies, including unilamellar spherical, polygonal, and tubular vesicles denoted glycodendrimersomes, aggregates of Janus glycodendrimers and rodlike micelles named glycodendrimer aggregates and glycodendrimermicelles, cubosomes denoted glycodendrimercubosomes, and solid lamellae. These assemblies are stable over time in water and in buffer, exhibit narrow molecular-weight distribution, and display dimensions that are programmable by the concentration of the solution from which they are injected. This study elaborated the molecular principles leading to single-type soft glycodendrimersomes assembled from amphiphilic Janus glycodendrimers. The multivalency of glycodendrimersomes with different sizes and their ligand bioactivity were demonstrated by selective agglutination with a diversity of sugar-binding protein receptors such as the plant lectins concanavalin A and the highly toxic mistletoe Viscum album L. agglutinin, the bacterial lectin PA-IL from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and, of special biomedical relevance, human adhesion/growth-regulatory galectin-3 and galectin-4. These results demonstrated the candidacy of glycodendrimersomes as new mimics of biological membranes with programmable glycan ligand presentations, as supramolecular lectin blockers, vaccines, and targeted delivery devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgil Percec
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, USA.
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25
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Biodegradable Polymersomes for the Delivery of Gemcitabine to Panc-1 Cells. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS 2013; 2013. [PMID: 26167335 PMCID: PMC4496003 DOI: 10.1155/2013/932797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Traditional anticancer chemotherapy often displays toxic side effects, poor bioavailability, and a low therapeutic index. Targeting and controlled release of a chemotherapeutic agent can increase drug bioavailability, mitigate undesirable side effects, and increase the therapeutic index. Here we report a polymersome-based system to deliver gemcitabine to Panc-1 cells in vitro. The polymersomes were self-assembled from a biocompatible and completely biodegradable polymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(caprolactone), PEO-PCL. We showed that we can encapsulate gemcitabine within stable 200 nm vesicles with a 10% loading efficiency. These vesicles displayed a controlled release of gemcitabine with 60% release after 2 days at physiological pH. Upon treatment of Panc-1 cells in vitro, vesicles were internalized as verified with fluorescently labeled polymersomes. Clonogenic assays to determine cell survival were performed by treating Panc-1 cells with varying concentrations of unencapsulated gemcitabine (FreeGem) and polymersome-encapsulated gemcitabine (PolyGem) for 48 hours. 1 μM PolyGem was equivalent in tumor cell toxicity to 1 μM FreeGem, with a one log cell kill observed. These studies suggest that further investigation on polymersome-based drug formulations is warranted for chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer.
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26
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Hammer DA, Kamat NP. Towards an artificial cell. FEBS Lett 2012; 586:2882-90. [PMID: 22841716 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We are on the verge of producing "synthetic cells," or protocells, in which some, many or all of the tasks of a real biological cell are harnessed into a synthetic platform. Such advances are made possible through genetic engineering, microfabrication technologies, and the development of cellular membranes from new surfactants that extend beyond phospholipids in stability and chemical control, and can be used to introduce designer functionality into membranes and cells. We review some of the recent advances in the development of synthetic cells and suggest future exciting directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Hammer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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27
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Kamat NP, Liao Z, Moses LE, Rawson J, Therien MJ, Dmochowski IJ, Hammer DA. Sensing membrane stress with near IR-emissive porphyrins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:13984-9. [PMID: 21844376 PMCID: PMC3161589 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102125108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Probes embedded within a structure can enable prediction of material behavior or failure. Carefully assembled composites that respond intelligently to physical changes within a material could be useful as intrinsic sensors. Molecular rotors are one such tool that can respond optically to physical environmental changes. Here, we propose to use molecular rotors within a polymersome membrane to report membrane stress. Using supermolecular porphyrin-based fluorophores as rotors, we characterize changes in the optical emission of these near-infrared (NIR) emissive probes embedded within the hydrophobic core of the polymersome membrane. The configuration of entrapped fluorophore depends on the available space within the membrane; in response to increased volume, emission is blue shifted. We used this feature to study how shifts in fluorescence correlate to membrane integrity, imparted by membrane stress. We monitored changes in emission of these porphyrin-based fluorophores resulting from membrane stress produced through a range of physical and chemical perturbations, including surfactant-induced lysis, hydrolytic lysis, thermal degradation, and applied stress by micropipette aspiration. This paper comprehensively illustrates the potential for supermolecular porphyrin-based fluorophores to detect intrinsic physical changes in a wide variety of environments, and suggests how molecular rotors may be used in soft materials science and biology as sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha P. Kamat
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Zhengzheng Liao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Laurel E. Moses
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jeff Rawson
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708; and
| | - Michael J. Therien
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708; and
| | - Ivan J. Dmochowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Daniel A. Hammer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 220 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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28
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Abstract
The field of biomimicry is embracing the construction of complex assemblies that imitate both biological structure and function. Advancements in the design of these mimetics have generated a growing vision for creating an artificial or proto- cell. Polymersomes are vesicles that can be made from synthetic, biological or hybrid polymers and can be used as a model template to build cell-like structures. In this perspective, we discuss various areas where polymersomes have been used to mimic cell functions as well as areas in which the synthetic flexibility of polymersomes would make them ideal candidates for a biomembrane mimetic. Designing a polymersome that comprehensively displays the behaviors discussed herein has the potential to lead to the development of an autonomous, responsive particle that resembles the intelligence of a biological cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha P. Kamat
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Joshua S. Katz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Daniel A. Hammer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia PA 19104
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 311A Towne Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Professor Daniel A. Hammer, 210 South 33 St. 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Phone: (215) 573-6761, Fax: (215) 573-2093,
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29
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Le Meins JF, Sandre O, Lecommandoux S. Recent trends in the tuning of polymersomes' membrane properties. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2011; 34:14. [PMID: 21337017 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2011-11014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
"Polymersomes" are vesicular structures made from the self-assembly of block copolymers. Such structures present outstanding interest for different applications such as micro- or nano-reactor, drug release or can simply be used as tool for understanding basic biological mechanisms. The use of polymersomes in such applications is strongly related to the way their membrane properties are controlled and tuned either by a precise molecular design of the constituting block or by addition of specific components inside the membrane (formulation approaches). Typical membrane properties of polymersomes obtained from the self-assembly of "coil coil" block copolymer since the end of the nineties will be first briefly reviewed and compared to those of their lipidic analogues, named liposomes. Therefore the different approaches able to modulate their permeability, mechanical properties or ability to release loaded drugs, using macromolecular engineering or formulations, are detailed. To conclude, the most recent advances to modulate the polymersomes' properties and systems that appear very promising especially for biomedical application or for the development of complex and bio-mimetic structures are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-F Le Meins
- ENSCBP, Université de Bordeaux/IPB, 16 avenue Pey Berland, 33607, Pessac Cedex, France.
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