Synthesis of cross-linked carboxyl poly(glycerol methacrylate) and its application for the controlled release of doxorubicin

Post-polymerization modification reactions of poly(glycidyl methacrylate)s

Single and multiple post-polymerization modifications of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) scaffold through the nucleophilic ring-opening reactions of the pendent epoxide groups are described.

Novel dual stimuli-responsive ABC triblock copolymer: RAFT synthesis, "schizophrenic" micellization, and its performance as an anticancer drug delivery nanosystem

A novel pH- and thermo-responsive ABC triblock copolymer {poly[(2-succinyloxyethyl methacrylate)-b-(N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-[(N-4-vinylbenzyl),N,N-diethylamine]]} [P(SEMA-b-NIPAAm-b-VEA)] was successfully synthesized via reversible addition of fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique. The molecular weights of PHEMA, PNIPAAm, and PVEA segments in the synthesized triblock copolymer were calculated to be 10,670, 6140, and 9060gmol^-1, respectively, from proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy. The "schizophrenic" self-assembly behavior of the synthesized P(SEMA-b-NIPAAm-b-VEA) triblock copolymer under pH and thermal stimulus were investigated by means of ¹H NMR and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies as well as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential (ξ) measurements. The doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX)-loading capacity, and stimuli-responsive drug release ability of the synthesized triblock copolymer were also investigated. The biocompatibility of the synthesized triblock copolymer was confirmed through the assessing survival rate of breast cancer cell line (MCF7) using MTT assay. In contrast, DOX-loaded triblock copolymer exhibited an efficient anticancer performance in comparison with free DOX verified by MTT and DAPI staining assays. As the results, we envision that the synthesized P(SEMA-b-NIPAAm-b-VEA) triblock copolymer can be applied as an enhanced anticancer drug delivery nanosystem, mainly due to its smart physicochemical and biocompatibility properties.

Synthesis of Polylactide-Based Core-Shell Interface Cross-Linked Micelles for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Well-defined poly(ethylene glycol)-b-allyl functional polylactide-b-polylactides (PEG-APLA-PLAs) are synthesized through sequential ring-opening polymerization. PEG-APLA-PLAs that have amphiphilic properties and reactive allyl side chains on their intermediate blocks are successfully transferred to core-shell interface cross-linked micelles (ICMs) by micellization and UV-initiated irradiation. ICMs have demonstrated enhanced colloidal stability in physiological-mimicking media. Hydrophobic molecules such as Nile Red or doxorubicin (Dox) are readily loaded into ICMs; the resulting drug-ICM formulations possess slow and sustained drug release profiles under physiological-mimicking conditions. ICMs exhibit negligible cytotoxicity in human uterine sarcoma cancer cells by using biodegradable aliphatic polyester as the hydrophobic segments. Relative to free Dox, Dox-loaded ICMs show a reduced cytotoxicity due to the late intracellular release of Dox from ICMs. Overall, ICMs represent a new type of biodegradable cross-linked micelle and can be employed as a promising platform for delivering a broad variety of hydrophobic drugs.

Programming the composition of polymer blend particles for controlled immunity towards individual protein antigens

In order for a more precise control over the quality and quantity of immune responses stimulated by synthetic particle-based vaccines, it is critical to control the colloidal stability of particles and the release of protein antigens in both extracellular space and intracellular compartments. Different proteins exhibit different sizes, charges and solubilities. This study focused on modulating the release and colloidal stability of proteins with varied isoelectric points. A polymer particle delivery platform made from the blend of three polymers, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and two random pH-sensitive copolymers, were developed. Our study demonstrated its programmability with respective to individual proteins. We showed the colloidal stability of particles at neutral environment and the release of each individual protein at different pH environments were dependent on the ratio of two charge polymers. Subsequently, two antigenic proteins, ovalbumin (OVA) and Type 2 Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2) glycoprotein D (gD) protein, were incorporated into particles with systematically varied compositions. We demonstrated that the level of in vitro CD8(+) T cell and in vivo immune responses were dependent on the ratio of two charged polymers, which correlated well with the release of proteins. This study provided a promising design framework of pH-responsive synthetic vaccines for protein antigens of interest.

Construction of stable polymeric vesicles based on azobenzene and beta-cyclodextrin grafted poly(glycerol methacrylate)s for potential applications in colon-specific drug delivery

Stable polymeric vesicles constructed from cyclodextrin- and azobenzene-grafted poly(glycerol methacrylate)s exhibited potential applications in colon-specific drug delivery.

Homopolymer bifunctionalization through sequential thiol–epoxy and esterification reactions: an optimization, quantification, and structural elucidation study

In this study, we probe various aspects of a post-polymerization double-modification strategy involving sequential thiol–epoxy and esterification reactions for the preparation of dual-functional homopolymers.

Supramolecular nanoparticles constructed by balancing the forces between attractive host–guest and repulsive electrostatic interactions in two positively charged polymers

A novel type of supramolecular nanoparticle (SNP) was self-assembled based on the balance of forces including attractive supramolecular host–guest interactions and repulsive electrostatic interactions between the host and the guest polymers.

Construction of reverse vesicles from pseudo-graft poly(glycerol methacrylate)s via cyclodextrin–cholesterol interactions

Reverse vesicles were constructed from pseudo-graft amphiphilic copolymers by dint of the host–guest inclusion complexation between β-cyclodextrins and cholesterols, and transformed into organogels by adding trace amounts of water.