Advances in Organosulfur-Based Polymers for Drug Delivery Systems

Organosulfur-based polymers have unique properties that make them useful for targeted and managed drug delivery, which can improve therapy while reducing side effects. This work aims to provide a brief review of the synthesis strategies, characterization techniques, and packages of organosulfur-based polymers in drug delivery. More importantly, this work discusses the characterization, biocompatibility, controlled release, nanotechnology, and targeted therapeutic aspects of these important structural units. This review provides not only a good comprehension of organosulfur-based polymers but also an insightful discussion of potential future prospectives in research. The discovery of novel organosulfur polymers and innovations is highly expected to be stimulated in order to synthesize polymer prototypes with increased functional accuracy, efficiency, and low cost for many industrial applications.

Recent development of functional aliphatic polycarbonates for the construction of amphiphilic polymers

Functional aliphatic polycarbonates in the construction of amphiphilic polymers are summarized in seven categories (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or/and functional unit).

Separation of monodisperse alginate nanoparticles and effect of particle size on transport of vitamin E

Four batches of oleoyl alginate ester (OAE) nanoparticles with narrow size distribution were rapidly separated from the initial batch of nanoparticles by means of centrifugation at the relative centrifugal force (RCF) between 270×g and 6750×g after adjusting the zeta potential. The size of nanoparticles decreased with increasing speed of centrifugation, and the polydispersity of nanoparticles significantly decreased. As particle size increased the loading capacity also increased, while transport across Caco-2 cells and the cellular uptake of nanoparticles in jejunum decreased. Endocytosis of nanoparticles around 50nm/120nm, 420nm and 730nm occur mainly via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolae-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis respectively. These results show that centrifugation could separate nanoparticles with appropriate zeta potential into different sizes and the transport and cellular uptake of OAE polysaccharide nanoparticles were size dependent.

New insights into the cross-linking and degradation mechanism of Diels–Alder hydrogels

Degradation of Diels–Alder hydrogels occurs by retro-Diels–Alder reaction followed by OH⁻-catalyzed ring-opening hydrolysis of maleimide groups to unreactive maleamic acid derivatives.

Click conjugated polymeric immuno-nanoparticles for targeted siRNA and antisense oligonucleotide delivery

Efficient and targeted cellular delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) is a major challenge facing oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. The majority of current delivery strategies employ either conjugated ligands or oligonucleotide encapsulation within delivery vehicles to facilitate cellular uptake. Chemical modification of the oligonucleotides (ONs) can improve potency and duration of activity, usually as a result of improved nuclease resistance. Here we take advantage of innovations in both polymeric delivery vehicles and ON stabilization to achieve receptor-mediated targeted delivery of siRNAs or AONs for gene silencing. Polymeric nanoparticles comprised of poly(lactide-co-2-methyl, 2-carboxytrimethylene carbonate)-g-polyethylene glycol-furan/azide are click-modified with both anti-HER2 antibodies and nucleic acids on the exterior PEG corona. Phosphorothioate (PS), 2'F-ANA, and 2'F-RNA backbone chemical modifications improve siRNA and AON potency and duration of activity. Importantly, delivery of these nucleic acids on the exterior of the polymeric immuno-nanoparticles are as efficient in gene silencing as lipofectamine transfection without the associated potential toxicity of the latter.

Charge storage and electron transport properties of gold nanoparticles decorating a urethane-methacrylate comb polymer network

We propose enhanced charge storage capacity of nanoparticles based polymer films. A flat band voltage window varying from 5-7 V is obtained leading to a trapped charge density of the order of 10(13) cm(-2). These results vary for two distinct morphologies obtained due to decoration of a urethane-methacrylate comb polymer (UMCP) network by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Films have been further investigated for morphology, optical, charge storage, and electron transport properties using techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) and capacitance versus voltage (C-V) measurements. SEM and AFM confirm either the deposition of AuNPs inside the UMCP network or the formation of ring like structures depending on the deposition sequence. STS measurements performed on both films are compared with bare UMCP and AuNPs films. Current versus voltage (I-V) characteristics so obtained are discussed in the light of electron transport mechanisms in such materials.

Physical aspects of cell culture substrates: topography, roughness, and elasticity

The cellular environment impacts a myriad of cellular functions by providing signals that can modulate cell phenotype and function. Physical cues such as topography, roughness, gradients, and elasticity are of particular importance. Thus, synthetic substrates can be potentially useful tools for exploring the influence of the aforementioned physical properties on cellular function. Many micro- and nanofabrication processes have been employed to control substrate characteristics in both 2D and 3D environments. This review highlights strategies for modulating the physical properties of surfaces, the influence of these changes on cell responses, and the promise and limitations of these surfaces in in-vitro settings. While both hard and soft materials are discussed, emphasis is placed on soft substrates. Moreover, methods for creating synthetic substrates for cell studies, substrate properties, and impact of substrate properties on cell behavior are the main focus of this review.

Poly(ester amide)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Graft Copolymers: Towards Micellar Drug Delivery Vehicles

Micelles formed from amphiphilic copolymers are promising materials for the delivery of drug molecules, potentially leading to enhanced biological properties and efficacy. In this work, new poly(ester amide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEA-PEO) graft copolymers were synthesized and their assembly into micelles in aqueous solution was investigated. It was possible to tune the sizes of the micelles by varying the PEO content of the polymers and the method of micelle preparation. Under optimized conditions, it was possible to obtain micelles with diameters less than 100 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. These micelles were demonstrated to encapsulate and release a model drug, Nile Red, and were nontoxic to HeLa cells as measured by an MTT assay. Overall, the properties of these micelles suggest that they are promising new materials for drug delivery systems.

Click chemistry functionalized polymeric nanoparticles target corneal epithelial cells through RGD-cell surface receptors

Self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles modified with targeting ligands on the surface provide a means for localized cell delivery. To gain greater insight into the possibility of derivatizing poly(2-methyl-2-carboxytrimethylene carbonate-co-D,L-lactide) (poly(TMCC-co-LA)) nanoparticles using the Huisgen's 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition reaction, we synthesized amphiphilic copolymers comprising a hydrophobic poly(TMCC-co-LA) backbone and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) pendant chain. By coupling amine-terminated PEG-azide to the carboxylic acid group of the poly(TMCC-co-LA) via EDC chemistry, an amphiphilic copolymer was formed. The poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG-N3 self-assembled in aqueous solution and presented azide groups on the surface of the nanoparticles. Alkyne-modified KGRGDS peptides were synthesized and coupled to the azide-functionalized nanoparticles via Huisgen's 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition, which was catalyzed by copper sulfate and sodium ascorbate in aqueous solution. Using coumarin-modified lysine (K) of the KGRGDS peptide, fluorescence was used to determine that there were approximately 400 peptides bound to each nanoparticle. The bioactivity of the GRGDS nanoparticle was confirmed with a competitive cell attachment assay using rabbit corneal epithelial cells. This GRGDS-nanoparticle system may be suitable for targeted drug delivery.