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Li W, Zhang S, Sun M, Kleuskens S, Wilson DA. Shape Transformation of Polymer Vesicles. ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH 2024; 5:453-466. [PMID: 38694189 PMCID: PMC11059097 DOI: 10.1021/accountsmr.3c00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Life activities, such as respiration, are accomplished through the continuous shape modulation of cells, tissues, and organs. Developing smart materials with shape-morphing capability is a pivotal step toward life-like systems and emerging technologies of wearable electronics, soft robotics, and biomimetic actuators. Drawing inspiration from cells, smart vesicular systems have been assembled to mimic the biological shape modulation. This would enable the understanding of cellular shape adaptation and guide the design of smart materials with shape-morphing capability. Polymer vesicles assembled by amphiphilic molecules are an example of remarkable vesicular systems. The chemical versatility, physical stability, and surface functionality promise their application in nanomedicine, nanoreactor, and biomimetic systems. However, it is difficult to drive polymer vesicles away from equilibrium to induce shape transformation due to the unfavorable energy landscapes caused by the low mobility of polymer chains and low permeability of the vesicular membrane. Extensive studies in the past decades have developed various methods including dialysis, chemical addition, temperature variation, polymerization, gas exchange, etc., to drive shape transformation. Polymer vesicles can now be engineered into a variety of nonspherical shapes. Despite the brilliant progress, most of the current studies regarding the shape transformation of polymer vesicles still lie in the trial-and-error stage. It is a grand challenge to predict and program the shape transformations of polymer vesicles. An in-depth understanding of the deformation pathway of polymer vesicles would facilitate the transition from the trial-and-error stage to the computing stage. In this Account, we introduce recent progress in the shape transformation of polymer vesicles. To provide an insightful analysis, the shape transformation of polymer vesicles is divided into basic and coupled deformation. First, we discuss the basic deformation of polymer vesicles with a focus on two deformation pathways: the oblate pathway and the prolate pathway. Strategies used to trigger different deformation pathways are introduced. Second, we discuss the origin of the selectivity of two deformation pathways and the strategies used to control the selectivity. Third, we discuss the coupled deformation of polymer vesicles with a focus on the switch and coupling of two basic deformation pathways. Last, we analyze the challenges and opportunities in the shape transformation of polymer vesicles. We envision that a systematic understanding of the deformation pathway would push the shape transformation of polymer vesicles from the trial-and-error stage to the computing stage. This would enable the prediction of deformation behaviors of nanoparticles in complex environments, like blood and interstitial tissue, and access to advanced architecture desirable for man-made applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Shaohua Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mingchen Sun
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Kleuskens
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela A. Wilson
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Thomas M, Varlas S, Wilks TR, Fielden SDP, O'Reilly RK. Controlled node growth on the surface of polymersomes. Chem Sci 2024; 15:4396-4402. [PMID: 38516085 PMCID: PMC10952076 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05915d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Incorporating nucleobases into synthetic polymers has proven to be a versatile method for controlling self-assembly. The formation of strong directional hydrogen bonds between complementary nucleobases provides a driving force that permits access to complex particle morphologies. Here, nucleobase pairing was used to direct the formation and lengthening of nodes on the outer surface of vesicles formed from polymers (polymersomes) functionalised with adenine in their membrane-forming domains. Insertion of a self-assembling short diblock copolymer containing thymine into the polymersome membranes caused an increase in steric crowding at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface, which was relieved by initial node formation and subsequent growth. Nano-objects were imaged by (cryo-)TEM, which permitted quantification of node coverage and length. The ability to control node growth on the surface of polymersomes provides a new platform to develop higher-order nanomaterials with tailorable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolaine Thomas
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Spyridon Varlas
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Thomas R Wilks
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Stephen D P Fielden
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Rachel K O'Reilly
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
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3
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Li W, Zhang S, Kleuskens S, Portale G, Engelkamp H, Christianen PCM, Wilson DA. Programmable Compartment Networks by Unraveling the Stress-Dependent Deformation of Polymer Vesicles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306219. [PMID: 37803926 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Nanocontainers that can sense and respond to environmental stimuli like cells are desirable for next-generation delivery systems. However, it is still a grand challenge for synthetic nanocontainers to mimic or even surpass the shape adaption of cells, which may produce novel compartments for cargo loading. Here, this work reports the engineering of compartment network with a single polymer vesicle by unraveling osmotic stress-dependent deformation. Specifically, by manipulating the way in exerting the stress, sudden increase or gradual increase, polymer vesicles can either undergo deflation into the stomatocyte, a bowl-shaped vesicle enclosing a new compartment, or tubulation into the tubule of varied length. Such stress-dependent deformation inspired us to program the shape transformation of polymer vesicles, including tubulation, deflation, or first tubulation and then deflation. The coupled deformation successfully transforms the polymer vesicle into the stomatocyte with tubular arms and a network of two or three small stomatocytes connected by tubules. To the author's knowledge, these morphologies are still not accessed by synthetic nanocontainers. This work envisions that the network of stomatocytes may enable the loading of different catalysts to construct novel motile systems, and the well-defined morphology of vesicles helps to define the effect of morphology on cellar uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Shaohua Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Kleuskens
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
- High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen, 6525ED, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Portale
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, 9747AG, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Engelkamp
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
- High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen, 6525ED, The Netherlands
| | - Peter C M Christianen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
- High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen, 6525ED, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela A Wilson
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
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4
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Gouveia MG, Wesseler JP, Ramaekers J, Weder C, Scholten PBV, Bruns N. Polymersome-based protein drug delivery - quo vadis? Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:728-778. [PMID: 36537575 PMCID: PMC9890519 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00106c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics are an attractive alternative to established therapeutic approaches and represent one of the fastest growing families of drugs. While many of these proteins can be delivered using established formulations, the intrinsic sensitivity of proteins to denaturation sometimes calls for a protective carrier to allow administration. Historically, lipid-based self-assembled structures, notably liposomes, have performed this function. After the discovery of polymersome-based targeted drug-delivery systems, which offer manifold advantages over lipid-based structures, the scientific community expected that such systems would take the therapeutic world by storm. However, no polymersome formulations have been commercialised. In this review article, we discuss key obstacles for the sluggish translation of polymersome-based protein nanocarriers into approved pharmaceuticals, which include limitations imparted by the use of non-degradable polymers, the intricacies of polymersome production methods, and the complexity of the in vivo journey of polymersomes across various biological barriers. Considering this complex subject from a polymer chemist's point of view, we highlight key areas that are worthy to explore in order to advance polymersomes to a level at which clinical trials become worthwhile and translation into pharmaceutical and nanomedical applications is realistic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micael G Gouveia
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
| | - Justus P Wesseler
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
| | - Jobbe Ramaekers
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
| | - Christoph Weder
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Philip B V Scholten
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Nico Bruns
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Straße 4, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
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Moorthy H, Datta LP, Samanta S, Govindaraju T. Multifunctional Architectures of Cyclic Dipeptide Copolymers and Composites, and Modulation of Multifaceted Amyloid-β Toxicity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:56535-56547. [PMID: 36516435 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by the β-amyloid (Aβ42) misfolding and aggregation-associated multifaceted amyloid toxicity encompassing oxidative stress, neuronal death, and severe cognitive impairment. Modulation of Aβ42 aggregation via various structurally anisotropic macromolecular systems is considered effective in protecting neuronal cells. In this regard, we have developed a cyclic dipeptide (CDP)-based copolymer (CP) and explored its material and biomedical properties. Owing to the structural versatility, CDP-CP forms solvent-dependent anisotropic architectures ranging from dense fibers and mesosheets to vesicles, which are shown to interact with dyes and nanoparticles and mimic synthetic protocells, providing a conceptually new approach to achieve advanced functional materials with the hierarchical organization. CP upon interaction with gold nanoparticles (GNP) and polyoxometalate (POM) generated faceted architectures (CP-GNP) and the nanocomposite (CP-POM), respectively. CP-GNP and CP-POM have shown remarkable ability to inhibit Aβ42 aggregation, dissolve the preformed aggregates, and scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) to ameliorate multifaceted amyloid toxicity. In cellulo studies show that CP-GNP and CP-POM protect neuronal cells from Aβ42-induced toxicity and reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated neuroinflammation at sub-micromolar concentration. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the hierarchical organization of CDP-CP into 1D-to-2D architectures and their organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites to combat the multifaceted amyloid toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hariharan Moorthy
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit and the School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Lakshmi Priya Datta
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit and the School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Sourav Samanta
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit and the School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Thimmaiah Govindaraju
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit and the School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
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6
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Zhang Q, Lu M, Wu H, Zhang L, Feng X, Jin Z. Formation and Transformation of Polystyrene- block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) Hexasomes in the Solvent Exchange. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:12441-12449. [PMID: 36196878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The generation of inverse micellar nanostructures, especially those with open channels, using commercially available diblock copolymers (BCP), is vital for their wide applications in drug delivery and catalyst templating. However, the rigid requirements for forming inverse morphologies, such as the highly asymmetric molecular structures, the semicrystalline motifs, and concentrated solutions of diblock copolymers, represent obstacles to the development of successful strategies. In this study, the inverse polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS30K-b-P2VP8.5K) micelles, i.e., the hexasomes with p6mm lattice, were generated through a modified solvent exchange via adding d-tartaric acid (d-TA) in the nonsolvent. Various intermediate morphologies have been identified with the change of d-TA concentration. Interestingly, in the high d-TA concentration (∼20 mg/mL), the hexasomes with close-packed hoops changed to mesoporous spheres with regularly packed perpendicular cylindrical channels (VD-TA: VBCP 6:100), and further to the mesoporous spheres with gyri-like open pores (VD-TA: VBCP > 15:100) with the increasing acidity in the mixed solvent. This study presents a simple and economical pathway for fabricating PS30K-b-P2VP8.5K hexasomes and first demonstrates these hexasomes can be modified to the morphology with open channels that will benefit their further applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuya Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Mengfan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Hanyu Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai201620, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Xunda Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai201620, China
| | - Zhaoxia Jin
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
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7
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Tunable and scalable fabrication of block copolymer-based 3D polymorphic artificial cell membrane array. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1261. [PMID: 35273189 PMCID: PMC8913694 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28960-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to their excellent durability, tunable physical properties, and biofunctionality, block copolymer-based membranes provide a platform for various biotechnological applications. However, conventional approaches for fabricating block copolymer membranes produce only planar or suspended polymersome structures, which limits their utilization. This study is the first to demonstrate that an electric-field-assisted self-assembly technique can allow controllable and scalable fabrication of 3-dimensional block copolymer artificial cell membranes (3DBCPMs) immobilized on predefined locations. Topographically and chemically structured microwell array templates facilitate uniform patterning of block copolymers and serve as reactors for the effective growth of 3DBCPMs. Modulating the concentration of the block copolymer and the amplitude/frequency of the electric field generates 3DBCPMs with diverse shapes, controlled sizes, and high stability (100% survival over 50 days). In vitro protein–membrane assays and mimicking of human intestinal organs highlight the potential of 3DBCPMs for a variety of biological applications such as artificial cells, cell-mimetic biosensors, and bioreactors. In this manuscript, an electric-field-assisted self-assembly technique that can allow controllable and scalable fabrication of 3-dimensional block copolymer (BCP)-based artificial cell membranes (3DBCPMs) immobilized on predefined locations is presented. Topographically and chemically structured microwell array templates facilitate uniform patterning of BCPs and serve as reactors for the effective growth of 3DBCPMs, which diverse shapes, sizes and stability can be tuned by modulating the BCP concentration and the amplitude/frequency of the electric field. The potential of 3DBCPMs for a variety of biological applications is highlighted by performance of in vitro protein-membrane assays and mimicking of human intestinal organs.
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8
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Li P, Davis JL, Mays JW, Wang X, Kilbey SM. Architecture- and Composition-Controlled Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers and Binary Mixtures With Crosslinkable Components: Chain Exchange Between Block Copolymer Nanoparticles. Front Chem 2022; 10:833307. [PMID: 35281559 PMCID: PMC8906501 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.833307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chain exchange behaviors in self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) nanoparticles (NPs) at room temperature are investigated through observations of structural differences between parent and binary systems of BCP NPs with and without crosslinked domains. Pairs of linear diblock or triblock, and branched star-like polystyrene-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-PVP) copolymers that self-assemble in a PVP-selective mixed solvent into BCP NPs with definite differences in size and self-assembled morphology are combined by diverse mixing protocols and at different crosslinking densities to reveal the impact of chain exchange between BCP NPs. Clear structural evolution is observed by dynamic light scattering and AFM and TEM imaging, especially in a blend of triblock + star copolymer BCP NPs. The changes are ascribed to the chain motion inherent in the dynamic equilibrium, which drives the system to a new structure, even at room temperature. Chemical crosslinking of PVP corona blocks suppresses chain exchange between the BCP NPs and freezes the nanostructures at a copolymer crosslinking density (CLD) of ∼9%. This investigation of chain exchange behaviors in BCP NPs having architectural and compositional complexity and the ability to moderate chain motion through tailoring the CLD is expected to be valuable for understanding the dynamic nature of BCP self-assemblies and diversifying the self-assembled structures adopted by these systems. These efforts may guide the rational construction of novel polymer NPs for potential use, for example, as drug delivery platforms and nanoreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Li
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jesse L. Davis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Jimmy W. Mays
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Xu Wang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Xu Wang, ; S. Michael Kilbey II,
| | - S. Michael Kilbey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Xu Wang, ; S. Michael Kilbey II,
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9
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Zhu J, Gong Z, Yang C, Yan Q. Reshaping Membrane Polymorphism of Polymer Vesicles through Dynamic Gas Exchange. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:20183-20191. [PMID: 34813319 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The quest for a universal method to shape the vesicular morphology in dynamic and diversified manners is a challenging topic of cell mimicry. Here we present a simple gas exchange strategy that can direct the deformation movements of polymer vesicles. Such vesicles are assembled by a class of gas-based dynamic polymers, where CO2 connects between the frustrated Lewis pair via dynamic gas-bridged bonds. Use of other competitive gases (N2O, SO2, or C2H4) to in situ exchange the CO2 linkages can change the polymer structure and drive the membrane to proceed with three fundamental movements, including membrane stretching, membrane incurvation, and membrane protrusion, thus remolding the shapes of polymersomes. The choices of gas types, concentrations, and combinations are crucial to adjusting the vesicle evolution, local change of membrane curvature, and anisotropic geometrical transformation. This will become a generalized strategy to control the vesicular polymorphism and deformable behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zehao Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Cuiqin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qiang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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10
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Ren K, Blosser MC, Malmstadt N. Light-Triggered Unique Shape Transformation of Giant Polymersomes with Tubular Protrusions. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100474. [PMID: 34553805 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100474] [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: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Light-triggered unique shape transformation of calcein-loaded giant polymersomes with tubular protrusions, which serve as a reservoir membrane area during the shape transformation, is reported here. Under irradiation at the excitation wavelength of calcein, the tubular protrusions form strings of budded vesicles and then reintegrate into the mother vesicle. The initial giant polymersomes transform to two connected spherical vesicles via two pathways to alleviate the osmotic pressure imbalance across the vesicle membrane. The two connected spherical vesicles further transform to a mother vesicle with an inner daughter vesicle after switching off the light to relieve the bending energy. The finding provides a promising platform to mimic cell morphology changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixuan Ren
- Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China.,Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, 925 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1211, USA
| | - Matthew C Blosser
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, 925 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1211, USA
| | - Noah Malmstadt
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, 925 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1211, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, 840 Downey Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0744, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 3650 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1111, USA
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11
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Perera RM, Gupta S, Li T, Bleuel M, Hong K, Schneider GJ. Influence of NaCl on shape deformation of polymersomes. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4452-4463. [PMID: 33908443 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm02271c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes frequently appear in the literature as promising candidates for a wide range of applications from targeted drug delivery to nanoreactors. From a cell mimetic point of view, it is important to understand the size and shape changes of the vesicles in the physiological environment since that can influence the drug delivery mechanism. In this work we studied the structural features of polymersomes consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-poly(ethylene glycol) at the nanoscopic length scale in the presence of NaCl, which is a very common molecule in the biotic aqueous environment. We used dynamic light scattering (DLS), cryo-TEM, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). We observed transformation of polymersomes from spherical to elongated vesicles at low salt concentration and into multivesicular structures at high salt concentration. Model fitting analysis of SANS data indicated a reduction of vesicle radius up to 47% and from the SAXS data we observed an increase in membrane thickness up to 8% and an increase of the PDMS hydrophobic segment up to 11% indicating stretching of the membrane due to osmotic imbalance. Also, from the increase in the interlamellar repeat distance up to 98% under high salt concentrations, we concluded that the shape and structural changes observed in the polymersomes are a combined result of osmotic pressure change and ion-membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasangi M Perera
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
| | - Sudipta Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Markus Bleuel
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8562, USA and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2115, USA
| | - Kunlun Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA and Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gerald J Schneider
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. and Department of Physics & Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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12
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Bhushan V, Heitz MP, Baker GA, Pandey S. Ionic Liquid-Controlled Shape Transformation of Spherical to Nonspherical Polymersomes via Hierarchical Self-Assembly of a Diblock Copolymer. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:5081-5088. [PMID: 33845575 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report the self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) copolymer in three ionic liquids (ILs) possessing different cations with common bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion. The observed polymeric nanostructures in ILs were directly visualized by room temperature conventional transmission and field emission scanning electron microscopy and were further examined for their size and shape by dynamic light scattering technique. The results show that through changes in the concentration of PEG-b-PCL and/or changing the solvent by using a different IL, we can effectively induce shape transformation of self-assembled PEG-b-PCL nanostructures in order to generate nonspherical polymersomes, such as worm-like aggregates, stomatocytes, nanotubes, large hexagonal and tubular-shaped polymersomes. These findings provide a promising platform for the design of biodegradable soft dynamic systems in the micro-/nano-motor field for cancer-targeted delivery, diagnosis and imaging-guided therapy, and controlled release of therapeutic drugs for treatment of many diseases. Non-spherical polymersome-based vaccines may be taken up more efficiently, especially against viruses for pulmonary drug delivery than the spherical polymersomes-based.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidiksha Bhushan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Mark P Heitz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, State University of New York at Brockport, Brockport, New York, New York 14420, United States
| | - Gary A Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Siddharth Pandey
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
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13
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Katterman C, Pierce C, Larsen J. Combining Nanoparticle Shape Modulation and Polymersome Technology in Drug Delivery. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:2853-2862. [PMID: 35014381 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This paper highlights the potential benefits of using self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles of various shapes to enhance drug uptake. First, we highlight the growth and development of the polymersome, using a liposome as a blueprint for amphiphilic codelivery. Then, we focus on the advantages of nanoparticle elongation, drawing from the field of solid nanoparticles, as opposed to self-assembled vesicles which have not yet been extensively explored in shape-modulated drug delivery applications. Notably, regardless of the material used in the solid nanoparticle systems, more elongated shapes lead to greater cellular uptake, decreased interaction with the reticuloendothelial system macrophages, and increased circulation times. Finally, we highlight the methods currently being developed to modulate polymersome shape, thus providing a drug delivery system with the benefits derived from amphiphilicity and elongated structures. Current methods employed to modulate polymersome shape involve osmotic pressure gradients, solvent switching, and the use of cross-linking agents. Although these methods are successful in modulating polymersome shapes and the benefits of elongated nanoparticles in therapeutic targeting are clear, these methods have not yet been explored for applications in drug delivery.
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14
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Xu XF, Zhu RM, Pan CY, You YZ, Zhang WJ, Hong CY. Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly Driven by the Synergistic Effects of Aromatic and Solvophobic Interactions. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fei Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Ren-Man Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Cai-Yuan Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Ye-Zi You
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Wen-Jian Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Chun-Yan Hong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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15
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Chidanguro T, Simon YC. Bent out of shape: towards non‐spherical polymersome morphologies. POLYM INT 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.6203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamuka Chidanguro
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg MS USA
| | - Yoan C. Simon
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg MS USA
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16
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Li L, Li Y, Wang S, Ye L, Zhang W, Zhou N, Zhang Z, Zhu X. Morphological modulation of azobenzene-containing tubular polymersomes. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py00099c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Several external factors influencing the formation and morphologic transition of tubular vesicles were carefully investigated, including the initial polymer concentration, solvent, temperature, water adding rate, and light irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishan Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
| | - Yiwen Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu
- P. R. China
| | - Shuyuan Wang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
| | - Liandong Ye
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
| | - Wei Zhang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
| | - Nianchen Zhou
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
| | - Zhengbiao Zhang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
| | - Xiulin Zhu
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Soochow University
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17
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Chidanguro T, Ghimire E, Simon YC. Shape-transformation of polymersomes from glassy and crosslinkable ABA triblock copolymers. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:8914-8924. [PMID: 33026406 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01643h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments in the field of polymer vesicles, i.e. polymersomes, have demonstrated that disrupting the equilibrium conditions of the milieu could lead to shape transformation into stable non-spherical morphologies, bringing on-demand shape control to reality and bearing great promise for cell mimicry and a variety of biomedical applications. Here, we studied the self-assembly behavior of glassy amphiphilic triblock copolymers, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polystyrene-stat-poly(coumarin methacrylate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-b-P(S-stat-CMA)-b-PEG), and their response to various stimuli. By changing the respective molecular weights of both the hydrophobic P(S-stat-CMA) and the hydrophilic PEG blocks, we varied the hydrophobic volume fraction thereby accessing a range of morphologies from spherical and worm-like micelles, as well as polymersomes. For the latter, we observed that slow osmotic pressure changes induced by dialysis led to a decrease in size while rapid osmotic pressure changes by addition of a PEG fusogen led to morphological transformations into rod-like and tubular polymersomes. We also found out that chemically crosslinking the vesicles before inducing osmotic pressure changes led to the vesicles exhibiting hypotonic shock, atypical for glassy polymersomes. We believe that this approach combining the robustness of triblock copolymers and light-based transformations will help expand the toolbox to design ever more complex biomimetic constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamuka Chidanguro
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr, #5050, Hattiesburg, 39406, MS, USA.
| | - Elina Ghimire
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr, #5050, Hattiesburg, 39406, MS, USA.
| | - Yoan C Simon
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr, #5050, Hattiesburg, 39406, MS, USA.
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18
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19
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Zheng Y, Weng C, Cheng C, Zhao J, Yang R, Zhang Q, Ding M, Tan H, Fu Q. Multiblock Copolymers toward Segmentation-Driven Morphological Transition. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Chuang Weng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Jinling Zhao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Rui Yang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Mingming Ding
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Hong Tan
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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20
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Li L, Cui S, Hu A, Zhang W, Li Y, Zhou N, Zhang Z, Zhu X. Smart azobenzene-containing tubular polymersomes: fabrication and multiple morphological tuning. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:6237-6240. [PMID: 32373820 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc01934h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A fundamental challenge in nanomaterial science is to facilely fabricate nonspherical polymersomes. Here, several kinds of novel tubular polymersomes were fabricated via self-assembly of amphiphilic azobenzene-containing block copolymers. Besides, their shape could be tuned by multiple approaches including changes in the chemical structure, self-assembly conditions and external stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishan Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China.
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21
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Yang R, Zheng Y, Shuai X, Fan F, He X, Ding M, Li J, Tan H, Fu Q. Crosslinking Induced Reassembly of Multiblock Polymers: Addressing the Dilemma of Stability and Responsivity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1902701. [PMID: 32328415 PMCID: PMC7175344 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Physical or chemical crosslinking of polymeric micelles has emerged as a straightforward approach to overcome the intrinsic instability of assemblies. However, the crosslinking process may compromise the responsivity of nanosystems and result in inefficient release of payloads. To address this dilemma, a crosslinking induced reassembly (CIRA) strategy is reported here to simultaneously increase the kinetic and thermodynamic stability and redox-responsivity of polymeric micelles. It is found that the click crosslinking of a model multiblock polyurethane at the micellar interface induces microphase separation between the soft and hard segments. The aggregation of hard domains gathers liable disulfide linkages around the interlayer of micelles, which could facilitate the attack of reducing agents and act as an intelligent on-off switch for high stability and triggered release. As a result, the CIRA approach enables an enhanced tumor targeting, improved biodistribution and excellent therapeutic efficacy in vivo. This work provides a facile and versatile platform for controlled delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Yi Zheng
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Xiaoyu Shuai
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Fan Fan
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Xueling He
- Laboratory Animal Center of Sichuan UniversityChengdu610041China
| | - Mingming Ding
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Jianshu Li
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Hong Tan
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Qiang Fu
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
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22
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangang Xiao
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
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23
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Iqbal S, Blenner M, Alexander-Bryant A, Larsen J. Polymersomes for Therapeutic Delivery of Protein and Nucleic Acid Macromolecules: From Design to Therapeutic Applications. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:1327-1350. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Iqbal
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Mark Blenner
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Angela Alexander-Bryant
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Jessica Larsen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
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24
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Men Y, Li W, Lebleu C, Sun J, Wilson DA. Tailoring Polymersome Shape Using the Hofmeister Effect. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:89-94. [PMID: 31525869 PMCID: PMC6961129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Reshaping polymersomes remains a challenge for both size and shape control, methodology development, and mechanism understanding, which hindered their application in nanomedicine and nanomachine. Unlike liposome, polymersomes are capable of maintaining their shape due to their rigid and glassy membrane. Here we use the Hofmeister effect to guide the shape control of polymersome by tuning the ion type and concentration. Multiple morphologies such as ellipsoid, tube, disc, stomatocytes, and large compound vesicles are found. These results give evidence of demonstrating that the shape changes are not only induced by osmotic pressure, but also by the interaction with the polymersome membranes. Additionally, this methodology provides a general tool to tailor the shape of polymersome into various morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Men
- Radboud University , Institute for Molecules and Materials , Heyendaalseweg 135 , 6525 AJ , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
| | - Wei Li
- Radboud University , Institute for Molecules and Materials , Heyendaalseweg 135 , 6525 AJ , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
| | - Coralie Lebleu
- Radboud University , Institute for Molecules and Materials , Heyendaalseweg 135 , 6525 AJ , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
| | - Jiawei Sun
- Radboud University , Institute for Molecules and Materials , Heyendaalseweg 135 , 6525 AJ , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
| | - Daniela A Wilson
- Radboud University , Institute for Molecules and Materials , Heyendaalseweg 135 , 6525 AJ , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
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25
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Che H, de Windt LNJ, Zhu J, Pijpers IAB, Mason AF, Abdelmohsen LKEA, van Hest JCM. Pathway dependent shape-transformation of azide-decorated polymersomes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:2127-2130. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc08944f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Here we report the shape transformation of poly(ethylene glycol)–polystyrene (PEG–PS) polymersomes into ordered inverse morphologies, directed by the salt concentration of the medium and the presence of azide groups on the polymersome surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Che
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
- 5600MB Eindhoven
- The Netherlands
| | - Lafayette N. J. de Windt
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
- 5600MB Eindhoven
- The Netherlands
| | - Jianzhi Zhu
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
- 5600MB Eindhoven
- The Netherlands
| | - Imke A. B. Pijpers
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
- 5600MB Eindhoven
- The Netherlands
| | - Alexander F. Mason
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
- 5600MB Eindhoven
- The Netherlands
| | - Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
- 5600MB Eindhoven
- The Netherlands
| | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
- 5600MB Eindhoven
- The Netherlands
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26
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Varlas S, Keogh R, Xie Y, Horswell SL, Foster JC, O’Reilly RK. Polymerization-Induced Polymersome Fusion. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:20234-20248. [PMID: 31782652 PMCID: PMC6935865 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b10152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic interactions of membranes, particularly their fusion and fission, are critical for the transmission of chemical information between cells. Fusion is primarily driven by membrane tension built up through membrane deformation. For artificial polymersomes, fusion is commonly induced via the external application of a force field. Herein, fusion-promoted development of anisotropic tubular polymersomes (tubesomes) was achieved in the absence of an external force by exploiting the unique features of aqueous ring-opening metathesis polymerization-induced self-assembly (ROMPISA). The out-of-equilibrium tubesome morphology was found to arise spontaneously during polymerization, and the composition of each tubesome sample (purity and length distribution) could be manipulated simply by targeting different core-block degrees of polymerization (DPs). The evolution of tubesomes was shown to occur via fusion of "monomeric" spherical polymersomes, evidenced most notably by a step-growth-like relationship between the fraction of tubular to spherical nano-objects and the average number of fused particles per tubesome (analogous to monomer conversion and DP, respectively). Fusion was also confirmed by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies to show membrane blending and confocal microscopy imaging to show mixing of the polymersome lumens. We term this unique phenomenon polymerization-induced polymersome fusion, which operates via the buildup of membrane tension exerted by the growing polymer chains. Given the growing body of evidence demonstrating the importance of nanoparticle shape on biological activity, our methodology provides a facile route to reproducibly obtain samples containing mixtures of spherical and tubular polymersomes, or pure samples of tubesomes, of programmed length. Moreover, the capability to mix the interior aqueous compartments of polymersomes during polymerization-induced fusion also presents opportunities for its application in catalysis, small molecule trafficking, and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Varlas
- School
of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Keogh
- School
of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Yujie Xie
- School
of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L. Horswell
- School
of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey C. Foster
- School
of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel K. O’Reilly
- School
of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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27
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Men Y, Li W, Tu Y, Peng F, Janssen GJA, Nolte RJM, Wilson DA. Nonequilibrium Reshaping of Polymersomes via Polymer Addition. ACS NANO 2019; 13:12767-12773. [PMID: 31697471 PMCID: PMC6887890 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b04740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes are a class of artificial liposomes, assembled from amphiphilic synthetic block copolymers, holding great promise toward applications in nanomedicine. The diversity in polymersome morphological shapes and, in particular, the precise control of these shapes, which is an important aspect in drug delivery studies, remains a great challenge. This is due to a lack of general methodologies that can be applied and the inability to capture the morphologies at the nanometer scale. Here, we present a methodology that can accurately control the shape of polymersomes via the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) under nonequilibrium conditions. Various shapes including spheres, ellipsoids, tubes, discs, stomatocytes, nests, stomatocyte-in-stomatocytes, disc-in-discs, and large compound vesicles (LCVs) can be uniformly captured by adjusting the water content and the PEG concentration. Moreover, these shapes undergo nonequilibrium changes in time, which is reflected in their phase diagram changes. This research provides a universal tool to fabricate all shapes of polymersomes by controlling three variables: water content, PEG concentration, and time. The use of the biofriendly polymer PEG enables the application of this methodology in the field of nanomedicine.
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28
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Stuhr-Hansen N, Vagianou CD, Blixt O. Clustering of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Promoted by Covalent and Noncovalent Bonding of Functional Groups at Membrane-Embedded Peptides. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:2156-2164. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Stuhr-Hansen
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Charikleia-Despoina Vagianou
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Ola Blixt
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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29
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Saveleva MS, Eftekhari K, Abalymov A, Douglas TEL, Volodkin D, Parakhonskiy BV, Skirtach AG. Hierarchy of Hybrid Materials-The Place of Inorganics- in-Organics in it, Their Composition and Applications. Front Chem 2019; 7:179. [PMID: 31019908 PMCID: PMC6459030 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid materials, or hybrids incorporating both organic and inorganic constituents, are emerging as a very potent and promising class of materials due to the diverse, but complementary nature of the properties inherent of these different classes of materials. The complementarity leads to a perfect synergy of properties of desired material and eventually an end-product. The diversity of resultant properties and materials used in the construction of hybrids, leads to a very broad range of application areas generated by engaging very different research communities. We provide here a general classification of hybrid materials, wherein organics-in-inorganics (inorganic materials modified by organic moieties) are distinguished from inorganics-in-organics (organic materials or matrices modified by inorganic constituents). In the former area, the surface functionalization of colloids is distinguished as a stand-alone sub-area. The latter area-functionalization of organic materials by inorganic additives-is the focus of the current review. Inorganic constituents, often in the form of small particles or structures, are made of minerals, clays, semiconductors, metals, carbons, and ceramics. They are shown to be incorporated into organic matrices, which can be distinguished as two classes: chemical and biological. Chemical organic matrices include coatings, vehicles and capsules assembled into: hydrogels, layer-by-layer assembly, polymer brushes, block co-polymers and other assemblies. Biological organic matrices encompass bio-molecules (lipids, polysaccharides, proteins and enzymes, and nucleic acids) as well as higher level organisms: cells, bacteria, and microorganisms. In addition to providing details of the above classification and analysis of the composition of hybrids, we also highlight some antagonistic yin-&-yang properties of organic and inorganic materials, review applications and provide an outlook to emerging trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia S. Saveleva
- Nano-BioTechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Remote Controlled Theranostic Systems Lab, Educational Research Institute of Nanostructures and Biosystems, Saratov State University, Saratov, Russia
| | - Karaneh Eftekhari
- Nano-BioTechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anatolii Abalymov
- Remote Controlled Theranostic Systems Lab, Educational Research Institute of Nanostructures and Biosystems, Saratov State University, Saratov, Russia
| | - Timothy E. L. Douglas
- Engineering Department and Materials Science Institute (MSI), Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Dmitry Volodkin
- School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bogdan V. Parakhonskiy
- Nano-BioTechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andre G. Skirtach
- Nano-BioTechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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30
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Wong CK, Martin AD, Floetenmeyer M, Parton RG, Stenzel MH, Thordarson P. Faceted polymersomes: a sphere-to-polyhedron shape transformation. Chem Sci 2019; 10:2725-2731. [PMID: 30996990 PMCID: PMC6419931 DOI: 10.1039/c8sc04206c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The creation of "soft" deformable hollow polymeric nanoparticles with complex non-spherical shapes via block copolymer self-assembly remains a challenge. In this work, we show that a perylene-bearing block copolymer can self-assemble into polymeric membrane sacs (polymersomes) that not only possess uncommonly faceted polyhedral shapes but are also intrinsically fluorescent. Here, we further reveal for the first time an experimental visualization of the entire polymersome faceting process. We uncover how our polymersomes facet through a sphere-to-polyhedron shape transformation pathway that is driven by perylene aggregation confined within a topologically spherical polymersome shell. Finally, we illustrate the importance in understanding this shape transformation process by demonstrating our ability to controllably isolate different intermediate polymersome morphologies. The findings presented herein should provide opportunities for those who utilize non-spherical polymersomes for drug delivery, nanoreactor or templating applications, and those who are interested in the fundamental aspects of polymersome self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Ken Wong
- School of Chemistry , University of New South Wales , NSW 2052 , Australia . ;
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD) , School of Chemistry , University of New South Wales , Sydney , NSW 2052 , Australia
| | - Adam D Martin
- School of Chemistry , University of New South Wales , NSW 2052 , Australia . ;
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia
| | - Matthias Floetenmeyer
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis , The University of Queensland , St. Lucia , Brisbane , QLD 4072 , Australia
| | - Robert G Parton
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis , The University of Queensland , St. Lucia , Brisbane , QLD 4072 , Australia
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , St. Lucia , Brisbane , QLD 4072 , Australia
| | - Martina H Stenzel
- School of Chemistry , University of New South Wales , NSW 2052 , Australia . ;
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD) , School of Chemistry , University of New South Wales , Sydney , NSW 2052 , Australia
| | - Pall Thordarson
- School of Chemistry , University of New South Wales , NSW 2052 , Australia . ;
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia
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31
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Wong CK, Stenzel MH, Thordarson P. Non-spherical polymersomes: formation and characterization. Chem Soc Rev 2019; 48:4019-4035. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00856f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This tutorial review summarizes recent efforts over the past decade to study the morphological transformation of conventionally spherical polymersomes into non-spherical polymersomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Ken Wong
- School of Chemistry
- University of New South Wales
- Sydney
- Australia
- The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology
| | - Martina H. Stenzel
- School of Chemistry
- University of New South Wales
- Sydney
- Australia
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD)
| | - Pall Thordarson
- School of Chemistry
- University of New South Wales
- Sydney
- Australia
- The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology
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32
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Konishcheva EV, Daubian D, Rigo S, Meier WP. Probing membrane asymmetry of ABC polymersomes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:1148-1151. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cc09659g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We report the sensitivity of the membrane asymmetry of ABC (PEO-b-PCL-b-PMOXA) polymersomes towards the end-group modification of a shorter C block.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniia V. Konishcheva
- Department of Physical Chemistry
- University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a
- 4058 Basel
- Switzerland
- Precision Macromolecular Chemistry
| | - Davy Daubian
- Department of Physical Chemistry
- University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a
- 4058 Basel
- Switzerland
| | - Serena Rigo
- Department of Physical Chemistry
- University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a
- 4058 Basel
- Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang P. Meier
- Department of Physical Chemistry
- University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a
- 4058 Basel
- Switzerland
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Chidanguro T, Ghimire E, Liu CH, Simon YC. Polymersomes: Breaking the Glass Ceiling? SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1802734. [PMID: 30369045 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Polymer vesicles, also known as polymersomes, have garnered a lot of interest even before the first report of their fabrication in the mid-1990s. These capsules have found applications in areas such as drug delivery, diagnostics and cellular models, and are made via the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers, predominantly with soft, rubbery hydrophobic segments. Comparatively, and despite their remarkable impermeability, glassy polymersomes (GPs) have been less pervasive due to their rigidity, lack of biodegradability and more restricted fabrication strategies. GPs are now becoming more prominent, thanks to their ability to undergo stable shape-change (e.g., into non-spherical morphologies) as a response to a predetermined trigger (e.g., light, solvent). The basics of block copolymer self-assembly with an emphasis on polymersomes and GPs in particular are reviewed here. The principles and advantages of shape transformation of GPs as well as their general usefulness are also discussed, together with some of the challenges and opportunities currently facing this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamuka Chidanguro
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr. #5050, Hattiesburg, 39406, MS, USA
| | - Elina Ghimire
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr. #5050, Hattiesburg, 39406, MS, USA
| | - Cheyenne H Liu
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr. #5050, Hattiesburg, 39406, MS, USA
| | - Yoan C Simon
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr. #5050, Hattiesburg, 39406, MS, USA
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34
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Contini C, Pearson R, Wang L, Messager L, Gaitzsch J, Rizzello L, Ruiz-Perez L, Battaglia G. Bottom-Up Evolution of Vesicles from Disks to High-Genus Polymersomes. iScience 2018; 7:132-144. [PMID: 30267675 PMCID: PMC6153420 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymersomes are vesicles formed by the self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers in water. They represent one of the most promising alternatives of natural vesicles as they add new possibilities in the amphiphiles' molecular engineering of aqueous compartments. Here we report the design of polymersomes using a bottom-up approach wherein self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers poly(2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphorylcholine)-poly(2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PMPC-PDPA) into membranes is tuned using pH and temperature. We report evolution from disk micelles, to vesicles, to high-genus vesicles (vesicles with many holes), where each passage is controlled by pH switch or temperature. We show that the process can be rationalized, adapting membrane physics theories to disclose scaling principles that allow the estimation of minimal radius of vesiculation as well as chain entanglement and coupling. This approach allows us to generate nanoscale vesicles with genus from 0 to 70, which have been very elusive and difficult to control so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Contini
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Imperial College Rd, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Russell Pearson
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK
| | - Linge Wang
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Lea Messager
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; LAGEP, University Claude Bernard Lyon, 43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, Lyon 69622, France
| | - Jens Gaitzsch
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR1096, Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Loris Rizzello
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Institute of Physics of Living System, University College London, 19 Gordon St, London WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - Lorena Ruiz-Perez
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; EPSRC/Jeol Centre for Liquid Phase Electron Microscopy, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Institute of Physics of Living System, University College London, 19 Gordon St, London WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, Christopher Ingold Building, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; EPSRC/Jeol Centre for Liquid Phase Electron Microscopy, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Institute of Physics of Living System, University College London, 19 Gordon St, London WC1H 0AH, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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Wang X, Davis JL, Aden BM, Lokitz BS, Kilbey SM. Versatile Synthesis of Amine-Reactive Microgels by Self-Assembly of Azlactone-Containing Block Copolymers. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | | | | | - Bradley S. Lokitz
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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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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37
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Abstract
With the discovery of graphene, significant research has focused on the synthesis, characterization, and applications of ultrathin materials. Graphene has also brought into focus other ultrathin materials composed of organics, polymers, inorganics, and their hybrids. Together, these ultrathin materials have unique properties of broad significance. For example, ultrathin materials have a large surface area and high flexibility which can enhance conformal contact in wearables and sensors leading to improved sensitivity. When porous, the short transverse diffusion length in these materials allows rapid mass transport. Alternatively, when impermeable, these materials behave as an ultrathin barrier. Such controlled permeability is critical in the design of encapsulation and drug delivery systems. Finally, ultrathin materials often feature defect-free and single-crystal-like two-dimensional atomic structures resulting in superior mechanical, optical, and electrical properties. A unique property of ultrathin materials is their low bending rigidity, which suggests that they could easily be bent, curved, or folded into 3D shapes. In this Account, we review the emerging field of 2D to 3D shape transformations of ultrathin materials. We broadly define ultrathin to include materials with a thickness below 100 nm and composed of a range of organic, inorganic, and hybrid compositions. This topic is important for both fundamental and applied reasons. Fundamentally, bending and curving of ultrathin films can cause atomistic and molecular strain which can alter their physical and chemical properties and lead to new 3D forms of matter which behave very differently from their planar precursors. Shape change can also lead to new 3D architectures with significantly smaller form factors. For example, 3D ultrathin materials would occupy a smaller space in on-chip devices or could permeate through tortuous media which is important for miniaturized robots and smart dust applications. Our Account highlights several differences between ultrathin and traditional shape change materials. The latter is typically associated with hydrogels, liquid crystals, or shape memory elastomers. As compared to bulk materials, ultrathin materials can much more easily bend and fold due to the significantly reduced bending modulus. Consequently, it takes much less energy to alter the shape of ultrathin materials, and even small environmental stimuli can trigger a large response. Further, the energy barriers between different configurations are small which allow a variety of conformations and enhances programmability. Finally, due to their ultrathin nature, the shape changes are typically not slowed down by sluggish mass or thermal transport, and thus, responses can be much faster than those of bulk materials. The latter point is important in the design of high-speed actuators. Consequently, ultrathin materials could enable low-power, rapid, programmable, and complex shape transformations in response to a broad range of stimuli such as pH, temperature, electromagnetic fields, or chemical environments. The Account also includes a discussion of applications, important challenges, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weinan Xu
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Kam Sang Kwok
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - David H. Gracias
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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38
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Eghtesadi SA, Kashfipour MA, Sun X, Zhang W, Lillard RS, Cheng SZD, Liu T. Hierarchical self-assembly of zwitterionic dendrimer-anionic surfactant complexes into multiple stimuli-responsive dynamic nanotubes. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:1411-1419. [PMID: 29302659 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr07950h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Zwitterionic materials attract a wide range of attention due to their unique molecular structures and properties, which make them an interesting candidate to solve multiple problems e.g. in biological and industrial applications. Here, we show that the incorporation of zwitterions into supramolecular assemblies of ionic building blocks can be an effective way to design responsive nanostructures with well-defined morphologies. We report the hierarchical assembly of stimuli-responsive nanotubes with tunable diameters in aqueous solutions via the selective attachment of anionic surfactants to dendrimers with uniquely engineered zwitterionic peripheries. We found that the packing number of the dendrimer-surfactant hybrids can be reversibly controlled, which will trigger their assembly into tubular-like structures. These tubes can grow up to the micro-scale, their diameter is responsive to the ionic strength of the solution, and they can reversibly assemble/disassemble with a change in pH. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of dynamic nanotubes formed through controlled ionic interactions involving zwitterionic dendrimers in solution. This not only provides a bottom-up method to make stimuli responsive and dynamic tubes but also introduce a pathway to design complicated nanostructures by controlling the electrostatic interactions of building blocks using zwitterionic functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ali Eghtesadi
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
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39
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Yao H, Ning Y, Jesson CP, He J, Deng R, Tian W, Armes SP. Using Host-Guest Chemistry to Tune the Kinetics of Morphological Transitions Undertaken by Block Copolymer Vesicles. ACS Macro Lett 2017; 6:1379-1385. [PMID: 35650800 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Host-guest chemistry is exploited to tune the rate at which block copolymer vesicles undergo morphological transitions. More specifically, a concentrated aqueous dispersion of poly(glycerol monomethacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate)-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) [P(GMA-co-GlyMA)-PHPMA] diblock copolymer vesicles was prepared via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). The epoxy groups in the GlyMA residues were ring-opened using a primary amine-functionalized β-cyclodextrin (NH2-β-CD) in order to prepare β-CD-decorated vesicles. Addition of azobenzene-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (azo-mPEG) to such vesicles results in specific binding of this water-soluble macromolecular reagent to the β-CD groups on the hydrophilic P(GMA-co-GlyMA) stabilizer chains. Such host-guest chemistry induces a morphological transition from vesicles to worms and/or spheres. Furthermore, the rate of this morphological transition can be tuned by UV/visible-light irradiation and/or guest molecule competition. This novel molecular recognition strategy offers considerable scope for the design of new stimulus-responsive diblock copolymer vesicles for targeted delivery and controlled release of cargoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yao
- School
of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, P. R. China
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Yin Ning
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Craig P. Jesson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Jia He
- School
of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, P. R. China
| | - Renhua Deng
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Wei Tian
- School
of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, P. R. China
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K
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40
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Wong CK, Mason AF, Stenzel MH, Thordarson P. Formation of non-spherical polymersomes driven by hydrophobic directional aromatic perylene interactions. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1240. [PMID: 29093442 PMCID: PMC5665895 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01372-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymersomes, made up of amphiphilic block copolymers, are emerging as a powerful tool in drug delivery and synthetic biology due to their high stability, chemical versatility, and surface modifiability. The full potential of polymersomes, however, has been hindered by a lack of versatile methods for shape control. Here we show that a range of non-spherical polymersome morphologies with anisotropic membranes can be obtained by exploiting hydrophobic directional aromatic interactions between perylene polymer units within the membrane structure. By controlling the extent of solvation/desolvation of the aromatic side chains through changes in solvent quality, we demonstrate facile access to polymersomes that are either ellipsoidal or tubular-shaped. Our results indicate that perylene aromatic interactions have a great potential in the design of non-spherical polymersomes and other structurally complex self-assembled polymer structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Ken Wong
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Alexander F Mason
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Martina H Stenzel
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. .,Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Pall Thordarson
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. .,The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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41
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Ding Z, Ding M, Gao C, Boyer C, Zhang W. In Situ Synthesis of Coil–Coil Diblock Copolymer Nanotubes and Tubular Ag/Polymer Nanocomposites by RAFT Dispersion Polymerization in Poly(ethylene glycol). Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Cyrille Boyer
- Centre
for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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42
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Deng R, Ning Y, Jones ER, Cunningham VJ, Penfold NJW, Armes SP. Stimulus-responsive block copolymer nano-objects and hydrogels via dynamic covalent chemistry. Polym Chem 2017; 8:5374-5380. [PMID: 29308094 PMCID: PMC5735357 DOI: 10.1039/c7py01242j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Herein we demonstrate that dynamic covalent chemistry can be used to induce reversible morphological transitions in block copolymer nano-objects and hydrogels. Poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) (PGMA-PHPMA) diblock copolymer nano-objects (vesicles or worms) were prepared via polymerization-induced self-assembly. Addition of 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid (CPBA) leads to the formation of phenylboronate ester bonds with the 1,2-diol pendent groups on the hydrophilic PGMA stabilizer chains; such binding causes a subtle reduction in the packing parameter, which in turn induces either vesicle-to-worm or worm-to-sphere transitions. Moreover, CPBA binding is pH-dependent, so reversible transitions can be achieved by switching the solution pH, with relatively high copolymer concentrations leading to associated (de)gelation. This distinguishes these new physical hydrogels from the covalently cross-linked gels prepared using dynamic covalent chemistry reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renhua Deng
- Dainton Building , Department of Chemistry , The University of Sheffield , Brook Hill , Sheffield , South Yorkshire S3 7HF , UK . ;
| | - Yin Ning
- Dainton Building , Department of Chemistry , The University of Sheffield , Brook Hill , Sheffield , South Yorkshire S3 7HF , UK . ;
| | - Elizabeth R Jones
- Dainton Building , Department of Chemistry , The University of Sheffield , Brook Hill , Sheffield , South Yorkshire S3 7HF , UK . ;
| | - Victoria J Cunningham
- Dainton Building , Department of Chemistry , The University of Sheffield , Brook Hill , Sheffield , South Yorkshire S3 7HF , UK . ;
| | - Nicholas J W Penfold
- Dainton Building , Department of Chemistry , The University of Sheffield , Brook Hill , Sheffield , South Yorkshire S3 7HF , UK . ;
| | - Steven P Armes
- Dainton Building , Department of Chemistry , The University of Sheffield , Brook Hill , Sheffield , South Yorkshire S3 7HF , UK . ;
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43
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Williams DS, Pijpers IA, Ridolfo R, van Hest JC. Controlling the morphology of copolymeric vectors for next generation nanomedicine. J Control Release 2017; 259:29-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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44
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Allen S, Osorio O, Liu YG, Scott E. Facile assembly and loading of theranostic polymersomes via multi-impingement flash nanoprecipitation. J Control Release 2017; 262:91-103. [PMID: 28736263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Flash nanoprecipitation (FNP) has proven to be a powerful tool for the rapid and scalable assembly of solid-core nanoparticles from block copolymers. The process can be performed using a simple confined impingement jets mixer and provides an efficient and reproducible method of loading micelles with hydrophobic drugs. To date, FNP has not been applied for the fabrication of complex or vesicular nanoarchitectures capable of encapsulating hydrophilic molecules or bioactive protein therapeutics. Here, we present FNP as a single customizable method for the assembly of bicontinuous nanospheres, filomicelles and vesicular, multilamellar and tubular polymersomes from poly(ethylene glycol)-bl-poly(propylene sulfide) block copolymers. Multiple impingements of polymersomes assembled via FNP were shown to decrease vesicle diameter and polydispersity, allowing gram-scale fabrication of monodisperse polymersomes within minutes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that FNP supports the simultaneous loading of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules respectively into the polymersome membrane and aqueous lumen, and encapsulated enzymes were found to be released and remain active following vesicle lysis. As an example application, theranostic polymersomes were generated via FNP that were dual loaded with the immunosuppressant rapamycin and a fluorescent dye to link targeted immune cells with the elicited immunomodulation of T cells. By expanding the capabilities of FNP, we present a rapid, scalable and reproducible method of nanofabrication for a wide range of nanoarchitectures that are typically challenging to assemble and load with therapeutics for controlled delivery and theranostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Allen
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Omar Osorio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Yu-Gang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Evan Scott
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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45
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Adawy A, Amghouz Z, van Hest JCM, Wilson DA. Sub-Micron Polymeric Stomatocytes as Promising Templates for Confined Crystallization and Diffraction Experiments. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2017; 13:1700642. [PMID: 28558135 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201700642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of using sub-micrometer polymeric stomatocytes is investigated to effectuate confined crystallization of inorganic compounds. These bowl-shaped polymeric compartments facilitate confined crystallization while their glassy surfaces provide their crystalline cargos with convenient shielding from the electron beam's harsh effects during transmission electron microscopy experiments. Stomatocytes host the growth of a single nanocrystal per nanocavity, and the electron diffraction experiments reveal that their glassy membranes do not interfere with the diffraction patterns obtained from their crystalline cargos. Therefore, it is expected that the encapsulation and crystallization within these compartments can be considered as a promising template (nanovials) that hold and protect nanocrystals and protein clusters from the direct radiation damage before data acquisition, while they are examined by modern crystallography methodologies such as serial femtosecond crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Adawy
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525, AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Zakariae Amghouz
- HRTEM Laboratory, Scientific-Technical Services, University of Oviedo-CINN, Oviedo, 33006, Spain
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525, AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela A Wilson
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525, AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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46
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Affiliation(s)
- Appa Rao Sapala
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sameer Dhawan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - V. Haridas
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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47
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Deng R, Derry MJ, Mable CJ, Ning Y, Armes SP. Using Dynamic Covalent Chemistry To Drive Morphological Transitions: Controlled Release of Encapsulated Nanoparticles from Block Copolymer Vesicles. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:7616-7623. [PMID: 28497960 PMCID: PMC5465507 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b02642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic covalent chemistry is exploited to drive morphological order-order transitions to achieve the controlled release of a model payload (e.g., silica nanoparticles) encapsulated within block copolymer vesicles. More specifically, poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) (PGMA-PHPMA) diblock copolymer vesicles were prepared via aqueous polymerization-induced self-assembly in either the presence or absence of silica nanoparticles. Addition of 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) to such vesicles results in specific binding of this reagent to some of the pendent cis-diol groups on the hydrophilic PGMA chains to form phenylboronate ester bonds in mildly alkaline aqueous solution (pH ∼ 10). This leads to a subtle increase in the effective volume fraction of this stabilizer block, which in turn causes a reduction in the packing parameter and hence induces a vesicle-to-worm (or vesicle-to-sphere) morphological transition. The evolution in copolymer morphology (and the associated sol-gel transitions) was monitored using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, oscillatory rheology, and small-angle X-ray scattering. In contrast to the literature, in situ release of encapsulated silica nanoparticles is achieved via vesicle dissociation at room temperature; moreover, the rate of release can be fine-tuned by varying the solution pH and/or the APBA concentration. Furthermore, this strategy also works (i) for relatively thick-walled vesicles that do not normally exhibit stimulus-responsive behavior and (ii) in the presence of added salt. This novel molecular recognition strategy to trigger morphological transitions via dynamic covalent chemistry offers considerable scope for the design of new stimulus-responsive copolymer vesicles (and hydrogels) for targeted delivery and controlled release of cargoes. In particular, the conditions used in this new approach are relevant to liquid laundry formulations, whereby enzymes require protection to prevent their deactivation by bleach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renhua Deng
- Dainton Building, Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Derry
- Dainton Building, Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte J. Mable
- Dainton Building, Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Yin Ning
- Dainton Building, Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Dainton Building, Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
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48
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Lim SK, Wong ASW, de Hoog HPM, Rangamani P, Parikh AN, Nallani M, Sandin S, Liedberg B. Spontaneous formation of nanometer scale tubular vesicles in aqueous mixtures of lipid and block copolymer amphiphiles. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:1107-1115. [PMID: 28058411 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm01753c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Many common amphiphiles self-assemble in water to produce heterogeneous populations of discrete and symmetric but polydisperse and multilamellar vesicles isolating the encapsulated aqueous core from the surrounding bulk. But when mixtures of amphiphiles of vastly different elastic properties co-assemble, their non-uniform molecular organization can stabilize lower symmetries and produce novel shapes. Here, using high resolution electron cryomicroscopy and tomography, we identify the spontaneous formation of a membrane morphology consisting of unilamellar tubular vesicles in dilute aqueous solutions of binary mixtures of two different amphiphiles of vastly different origins. Our results show that aqueous phase mixtures of a fluid-phase phospholipid and an amphiphilic block copolymer spontaneously assume a bimodal polymorphic character in a composition dependent manner: over a broad range of compositions (15-85 mol% polymer component), a tubular morphology co-exists with spherical vesicles. Strikingly, in the vicinity of equimolar compositions, an exclusively tubular morphology (Lt; diameter, ∼15 nm; length, >1 μm; core, ∼2.0 nm; wall, ∼5-6 nm) emerges in an apparent steady state. Theory suggests that the spontaneous stabilization of cylindrical vesicles, unaided by extraneous forces, requires a significant spontaneous bilayer curvature, which in turn necessitates a strongly asymmetric membrane composition. We confirm that such dramatic compositional asymmetry is indeed produced spontaneously in aqueous mixtures of a lipid and polymer through two independent biochemical assays - (1) reduction in the quenching of fluorophore-labeled lipids and (2) inhibition in the activity of externally added lipid-hydrolyzing phospholipase A2, resulting in a significant enrichment of the polymer component in the outer leaflet. Taken together, these results illustrate the coupling of the membrane shape with local composition through spontaneous curvature generation under conditions of asymmetric distribution of mixtures of disparate amphiphiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seng Koon Lim
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553.
| | - Andrew S W Wong
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
| | - Hans-Peter M de Hoog
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553.
| | - Padmini Rangamani
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Atul N Parikh
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553. and Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
| | - Madhavan Nallani
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553.
| | - Sara Sandin
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798 and School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
| | - Bo Liedberg
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553.
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49
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Rikken RSM, Engelkamp H, Nolte RJM, Maan JC, van Hest JCM, Wilson DA, Christianen PCM. Shaping polymersomes into predictable morphologies via out-of-equilibrium self-assembly. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12606. [PMID: 27558520 PMCID: PMC5007325 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymersomes are bilayer vesicles, self-assembled from amphiphilic block copolymers. They are versatile nanocapsules with adjustable properties, such as flexibility, permeability, size and functionality. However, so far no methodological approach to control their shape exists. Here we demonstrate a mechanistically fully understood procedure to precisely control polymersome shape via an out-of-equilibrium process. Carefully selecting osmotic pressure and permeability initiates controlled deflation, resulting in transient capsule shapes, followed by reinflation of the polymersomes. The shape transformation towards stomatocytes, bowl-shaped vesicles, was probed with magnetic birefringence, permitting us to stop the process at any intermediate shape in the phase diagram. Quantitative electron microscopy analysis of the different morphologies reveals that this shape transformation proceeds via a long-predicted hysteretic deflation-inflation trajectory, which can be understood in terms of bending energy. Because of the high degree of controllability and predictability, this study provides the design rules for accessing polymersomes with all possible different shapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S M Rikken
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 7, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - H Engelkamp
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 7, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R J M Nolte
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J C Maan
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 7, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J C M van Hest
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - D A Wilson
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - P C M Christianen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 7, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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50
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Abdelmohsen LKA, Williams DS, Pille J, Ozel SG, Rikken RSM, Wilson DA, van Hest JCM. Formation of Well-Defined, Functional Nanotubes via Osmotically Induced Shape Transformation of Biodegradable Polymersomes. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:9353-6. [PMID: 27374777 PMCID: PMC4974604 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b03984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes are robust, versatile nanostructures that can be tailored by varying the chemical structure of copolymeric building blocks, giving control over their size, shape, surface chemistry, and membrane permeability. In particular, the generation of nonspherical nanostructures has attracted much attention recently, as it has been demonstrated that shape affects function in a biomedical context. Until now, nonspherical polymersomes have only been constructed from nondegradable building blocks, hampering a detailed investigation of shape effects in nanomedicine for this category of nanostructures. Herein, we demonstrate the spontaneous elongation of spherical polymersomes comprising the biodegradable copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(d,l-lactide) into well-defined nanotubes. The size of these tubes is osmotically controlled using dialysis, which makes them very easy to prepare. To confirm their utility for biomedical applications, we have demonstrated that, alongside drug loading, functional proteins can be tethered to the surface utilizing bio-orthogonal "click" chemistry. In this way the present findings establish a novel platform for the creation of biocompatible, high-aspect ratio nanoparticles for biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jan Pille
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sema G. Ozel
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roger S. M. Rikken
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela A. Wilson
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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