Polymeric nanoparticles for selective protein recognition by using thiol-ene miniemulsion photopolymerization

Molecularly imprinted nanoparticles with recognition properties towards diphtheria toxin for ELISA applications

Plastic antibodies can be used for in vitro neutralization of biomacromolecules with different fragments due to their potential in separation, purification, chemical sensor, catalysis and drug production studies. These polymer nanoparticles with binding affinity and selectivity comparable to natural antibodies were prepared using functional monomer synthesis and copolymerization of acrylic monomers via miniemulsion polymerization. As a result, the in vitro cytotoxic effect from diphtheria toxin was reduced by MIPs. In vitro imaging experiments of polymer nanoparticles (plastic antibodies) were performed to examine the interaction of diphtheria toxin with actin filaments, and MIPs inhibited diphtheria toxin damage on actin filaments. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed with plastic antibodies labeled with biotin, and it was determined that plastic antibodies could also be used for diagnostic purposes. We report that molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which are biocompatible polymer nanoparticles, can capture and reduce the effect of diphtheria toxic and its fragment A.

Insights on Development Aspects of Polymeric Nanocarriers: The Translation from Bench to Clinic

Scientists are focusing immense attention on polymeric nanocarriers as a prominent delivery vehicle for several biomedical applications including diagnosis of diseases, delivery of therapeutic agents, peptides, proteins, genes, siRNA, and vaccines due to their exciting physicochemical characteristics which circumvent degradation of unstable drugs, reduce toxic side effects through controlled release, and improve bioavailability. Polymers-based nanocarriers offer numerous benefits for in vivo drug delivery such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-immunogenicity, active drug targeting via surface modification, and controlled release due to their pH-and thermosensitive characteristics. Despite their potential for medicinal use, regulatory approval has been achieved for just a few. In this review, we discuss the historical development of polymers starting from their initial design to their evolution as nanocarriers for therapeutic delivery of drugs, peptides, and genes. The review article also expresses the applications of polymeric nanocarriers in the pharmaceutical and medical industry with a special emphasis on oral, ocular, parenteral, and topical application of drugs, peptides, and genes over the last two decades. The review further examines the practical, regulatory, and clinical considerations of the polymeric nanocarriers, their safety issues, and directinos for future research.

Thiol-Functional Polymer Nanoparticles via Aerosol Photopolymerization

Spherical, individual polymer nanoparticles with functional -SH groups were synthesized via aerosol photopolymerization (APP) employing radically initiated thiol-ene chemistry. A series of various thiol and alkene monomer combinations were investigated based on di-, tri-, and tetrafunctional thiols with difunctional allyl and vinyl ethers, and di- and trifunctional acrylates. Only thiol and alkene monomer combinations able to build cross-linked poly(thio-ether) networks were compatible with APP, which requires fast polymerization of the generated droplet aerosol during the photoreactor passage within a residence time of half-minute. Higher monomer functionalities and equal overall stoichiometry of functional groups resulted in the best nanoparticles being spherical and individual, proven by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of reactive -SH groups in the synthesized nanoparticles as a basis for post-polymerization modifications was verified by Ellman's test.