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Kawamura A, Takahashi R, Miyata T. UCST-Type Thermoresponsive Sol-Gel Transition Triblock Copolymer Containing Zwitterionic Polymer Blocks. Gels 2024; 10:288. [PMID: 38786206 PMCID: PMC11121674 DOI: 10.3390/gels10050288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Thermoresponsive sol-gel transition polymers are of significant interest because of their fascinating biomedical applications, including as drug reservoirs for drug delivery systems and scaffolds for tissue engineering. Although extensive research has been conducted on lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type sol-gel transition polymers, there have been few reports on upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type sol-gel transition polymers. In this study, we designed an ABA-type triblock copolymer composed of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block and zwitterionic polymer blocks that exhibit UCST-type thermoresponsive phase transitions. A sulfobetaine (SB) monomer with both ammonium and sulfonate (-SO3) groups in its side chain or a sulfabetaine (SaB) monomer with both ammonium and sulfate (-OSO3) groups in its side chain was polymerized from both ends of the PEG block via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization to obtain PSB-PEG-PSB and PSaB-PEG-PSaB triblock copolymers, respectively. Although an aqueous solution containing the PSB-PEG-PSB triblock copolymer showed an increase in viscosity upon cooling, it did not undergo a sol-to-gel transition. In contrast, a sol-to-gel transition was observed when a phosphate-buffered saline containing PSaB-PEG-PSaB was cooled from 80 °C to 25 °C. The PSaB blocks with -OSO3 groups exhibited a stronger dipole-dipole interaction than conventional SB with -SO3 groups, leading to intermolecular association and the formation of a gel network composed of PSaB assemblies bridged with PEG. The fascinating UCST-type thermoresponsive sol-gel transition properties of the PSaB-PEG-PSaB triblock copolymer suggest that it can provide a useful platform for designing smart biomaterials, such as drug delivery reservoirs and cell culture scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akifumi Kawamura
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, Japan
- Organization for Research and Development of Innovative Science and Technology, Kansai University, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryogo Takahashi
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Miyata
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, Japan
- Organization for Research and Development of Innovative Science and Technology, Kansai University, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, Japan
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Zhang M, Chen W, Ju Y, Zhao H, Wang C. Polymer-Protein Nanovaccine Synthesized via Reactive Self-Assembly with Potential Application in Cancer Immunotherapy: Physicochemical and Biological Characterization In Vitro and In Vivo. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2300438. [PMID: 37708966 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanovaccines composed of polymeric nanocarriers and protein-based antigens have attracted much attention in recent years because of their enormous potential in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as viral infections and cancer. While surface-conjugated protein antigens are known to be more immunoactive than encapsulated antigens, current surface conjugation methods often result in low and insufficient protein loading. Herein, reactive self-assembly is used to prepare nanovaccine from poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and ovalbumin (OVA)-a model antigen. A rapid thiol-disulfide exchange reaction between PCL with pendant pyridyl disulfide groups and thiolated OVA results in the formation of nanoparticles with narrow size distribution. High OVA loading (≈70-80 wt%) is achieved, and the native secondary structure of OVA is preserved. Compared to free OVA, the nanovaccine is much superior in enhancing antigen uptake by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), promoting BMDC maturation and antigen presentation via the MHC I pathway, persisting at the injection site and draining lymph nodes, activating both Th1 and Th2 T cell immunity, and ultimately, resisting tumor challenge in mice. This is the first demonstration of reactive self-assembly for the construction of a polymer-protein nanovaccine with clear potential in advancing cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Wenjuan Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ju
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Hanying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 7-105 Hasselmo Hall, 312 Church Street S. E., Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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Nan Y, Zhao C, Beaudoin G, Zhu XX. Synergistic Approaches in the Design and Applications of UCST Polymers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2300261. [PMID: 37477638 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes recent progress in the synergistic design strategy for thermoresponsive polymers possessing an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in aqueous systems. To achieve precise control of the responsive behavior of the UCST polymers, their molecular design can benefit from a synergistic effect of hydrogen bonding with other interactions or modification of the chemical structures. The combination of UCST behavior with other stimuli-responsive properties of the polymers may yield new functional materials with potential applications such as sensors, actuators, and controlled release devices. The advances in this area provide insight or inspiration into the understanding and design of functional UCST polymers for a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Nan
- Faculty of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Chuanzhuang Zhao
- Faculty of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Guillaume Beaudoin
- Département de Chimie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ, Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - X X Zhu
- Département de Chimie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ, Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
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Lai J, Sun J, Li C, Lu J, Tian Y, Liu Y, Zhao C, Zhang M. H-bond-type thermo-responsive schizophrenic copolymers: The phase transition correlation with their parent polymers and the improved protein co-assembly ability. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:1881-1892. [PMID: 37517188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenic copolymers are one type of the popular smart polymers that show invertible colloidal structures in response to temperature stimulus. However, the lack of principles to predict the phase transition temperature of a schizophrenic copolymer from its corresponding parent thermo-responsive polymers limits their development. Additionally, studies on their applications remain scarce. Herein, a series of schizophrenic copolymers were synthesized by polymerization of a RAFT-made polymer precursor poly(acrylamide-co-N-acryloxysuccinimide-co-acrylic acid) (P(AAm-co-NAS-co-AAc)) with the mixture of N-isopropylmethacrylamide (NIPAm) and acrylamide (AAm) in varying molar ratios. In aqueous solution, the block P(AAm-co-NAS-co-AAc) and the block poly(NIPAm-co-AAm) exhibited upper and lower critical solution temperature (UCST and LCST) behavior, respectively. The schizophrenic copolymers featured either UCST-LCST, LCST-UCST, or only LCST thermo-responsive transition. A preliminary correlation of phase transition between the schizophrenic copolymers and their parent polymers was summarized. Furthermore, the co-assembly of the schizophrenic copolymers and proteins were conducted and the kinetics of protein loading and protein activity were investigated, which showed that the schizophrenic copolymers were efficient platforms for protein co-assembly with ultra-high protein loading while preserving the protein bioactivities. Additionally, all the materials were non-toxic towards NIH 3T3 and MCF-7 cells. This work offers the prospects of the schizophrenic polymers in soft colloidal and assembly systems, particularly in guiding the design of new materials and their use in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Lai
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Jialin Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Chen Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Jianlei Lu
- Faculty of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yueyi Tian
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Chuanzhuang Zhao
- Faculty of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China.
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Nishimura SN, Sato D, Koga T. Mechanically Tunable Hydrogels with Self-Healing and Shape Memory Capabilities from Thermo-Responsive Amino Acid-Derived Vinyl Polymers. Gels 2023; 9:829. [PMID: 37888402 PMCID: PMC10606565 DOI: 10.3390/gels9100829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report the fabrication and characterization of self-healing and shape-memorable hydrogels, the mechanical properties of which can be tuned via post-polymerization crosslinking. These hydrogels were constructed from a thermo-responsive poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide) (NAGAm) copolymer containing N-acryloyl serine methyl ester (NASMe) units (5 mol%) that were readily synthesized via conventional radical copolymerization. This transparent and free-standing hydrogel is produced via multiple hydrogen bonds between PNAGAm chains by simply dissolving the polymer in water at a high temperature (~90 °C) and then cooling it. This hydrogel exhibited moldability and self-healing properties. The post-polymerization crosslinking of the amino acid-derived vinyl copolymer network with glutaraldehyde, which acts as a crosslinker between the hydroxy groups of the NASMe units, tuned mechanical properties such as viscoelasticity and tensile strength. The optimal crosslinker concentration efficiently improved the viscoelasticity. Moreover, these hydrogels exhibited shape fixation (~60%)/memory (~100%) behavior owing to the reversible thermo-responsiveness (upper critical solution temperature-type) of the PNAGAm units. Our multifunctional hydrogel, with moldable, self-healing, mechanical tunability via post-polymerization crosslinking, and shape-memorable properties, has considerable potential for applications in engineering and biomedical materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-nosuke Nishimura
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe 610-0321, Kyoto, Japan;
| | | | - Tomoyuki Koga
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe 610-0321, Kyoto, Japan;
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