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Xu Q, Wang Y, Zheng Y, Zhu Y, Li Z, Liu Y, Ding M. Polymersomes in Drug Delivery─From Experiment to Computational Modeling. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2114-2135. [PMID: 38011222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes, composed of amphiphilic block copolymers, are self-assembled vesicles that have gained attention as potential drug delivery systems due to their good biocompatibility, stability, and versatility. Various experimental techniques have been employed to characterize the self-assembly behaviors and properties of polymersomes. However, they have limitations in revealing molecular details and underlying mechanisms. Computational modeling techniques have emerged as powerful tools to complement experimental studies and enabled researchers to examine drug delivery mechanisms at molecular resolution. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the field of polymersome-based drug delivery systems, with an emphasis on insights gained from both experimental and computational studies. Specifically, we focus on polymersome morphologies, self-assembly kinetics, fusion and fission, behaviors in flow, as well as drug encapsulation and release mechanisms. Furthermore, we also identify existing challenges and limitations in this rapidly evolving field and suggest possible directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Xu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yiwei Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zheng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yuling Zhu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Zifen Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Mingming Ding
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
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Gao Y, Gao C, Fan Y, Sun H, Du J. Physically and Chemically Compartmentalized Polymersomes for Programmed Delivery and Biological Applications. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:5511-5538. [PMID: 37933444 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Multicompartment polymersomes (MCPs) refer to polymersomes that not only contain one single compartment, either in the membrane or in the internal cavity, but also mimic the compartmentalized structure of living cells, attracting much attention in programmed delivery and biological applications. The investigation of MCPs may promote the application of soft nanomaterials in biomedicine. This Review seeks to highlight the recent advances of the design principles, synthetic strategies, and biomedical applications of MCPs. The compartmentalization types including chemical, physical, and hybrid compartmentalization are discussed. Subsequently, the design and controlled synthesis of MCPs by the self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers, double emulsification, coprecipitation, microfluidics and particle assembly, etc. are summarized. Furthermore, the diverse applications of MCPs in programmed delivery of various cargoes and biological applications including cancer therapy, antimicrobials, and regulation of blood glucose levels are highlighted. Finally, future perspectives of MCPs from the aspects of controlled synthesis and applications are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Gao
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Chenchen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yirong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
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López-Ríos de Castro R, Ziolek RM, Lorenz CD. Topology-controlled self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:15230-15237. [PMID: 37671739 PMCID: PMC10540979 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr01204b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary synthetic chemistry approaches can be used to yield a range of distinct polymer topologies with precise control. The topology of a polymer strongly influences its self-assembly into complex nanostructures however a clear mechanistic understanding of the relationship between polymer topology and self-assembly has not yet been developed. In this work, we use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to provide a nanoscale picture of the self-assembly of three poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(methyl acrylate) block copolymers with different topologies into micelles. We find that the topology affects the ability of the micelle to form a compact hydrophobic core, which directly affects its stability. Also, we apply unsupervised machine learning techniques to show that the topology of a polymer affects its ability to take a conformation in response to the local environment within the micelles. This work provides foundations for the rational design of polymer nanostructures based on their underlying topology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel López-Ríos de Castro
- Biological Physics and Soft Matter Group, Department of Physics, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London, SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Robert M Ziolek
- Biological Physics and Soft Matter Group, Department of Physics, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK.
| | - Christian D Lorenz
- Biological Physics and Soft Matter Group, Department of Physics, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK.
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Archer RJ, Hamada S, Shimizu R, Nomura SIM. Scalable Synthesis of Planar Macroscopic Lipid-Based Multi-Compartment Structures. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:4863-4871. [PMID: 36973945 PMCID: PMC10100540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As life evolved, the path from simple single cell organisms to multicellular enabled increasingly complex functionalities. The spatial separation of reactions at the micron scale achieved by cellular structures allowed diverse and scalable implementation in biomolecular systems. Mimicking such spatially separated domains in a scalable approach could open a route to creating synthetic cell-like structured systems. Here, we report a facile and scalable method to create multicellular-like, multi-compartment (MC) structures. Aqueous droplet-based compartments ranging from 50 to 400 μm were stabilized and connected together by hydrophobic layers composed of phospholipids and an emulsifier. Planar centimeter-scale MC structures were formed by droplet deposition on a water interface. Further, the resulting macroscopic shapes were shown to be achieved by spatially controlled deposition. To demonstrate configurability and potential versatility, MC assemblies of both homogeneous and mixed compartment types were shown. Notably, magnetically heterogeneous systems were achieved by the inclusion of magnetic nanoparticles in defined sections. Such structures demonstrated actuated motion with structurally imparted directionality. These novel and functionalized structures exemplify a route toward future applications including compartmentally assembled "multicellular" molecular robots.
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Paruchuri BC, Gopal V, Sarupria S, Larsen J. Toward enzyme-responsive polymersome drug delivery. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2021; 16:2679-2693. [PMID: 34870451 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In drug delivery, enzyme-responsive drug carriers are becoming increasingly relevant because of the growing association of disease pathology with enzyme overexpression. Polymersomes are of interest to such applications because of their tunable properties. While polymersomes open up a wide range of chemical and physical properties to explore, they also present a challenge in developing generalized rules for the synthesis of novel systems. Motivated by this issue, in this perspective, we summarize the existing knowledge on enzyme-responsive polymersomes and outline the main design choices. Then, we propose heuristics to guide the design of novel systems. Finally, we discuss the potential of an integrated approach using computer simulations and experimental studies to streamline this design process and close the existing knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Varun Gopal
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering & Material Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sapna Sarupria
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.,Center for Optical Materials Science & Engineering Technologies (COMSET), Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29670, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jessica Larsen
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
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Lin S, Wang F, Du J. High-genus multicompartment vesicles evolved from large compound micelles. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py00654a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
High-genus multicompartment vesicles (HGMVs) are self-assembled from block copolymers containing fluorescent and photo-responsive azobenzene groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Lin
- Department of Orthopedics
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital
- Tongji University
- Shanghai
- China
| | - Fangyingkai Wang
- Department of Polymeric Materials
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Tongji University
- Shanghai 201804
- China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Orthopedics
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital
- Tongji University
- Shanghai
- China
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