Amphiphilic Block Copolymers PEG-b-PMTCs: Synthesis, Self-Assembly, Degradation Properties and Biocompatibility

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Yiyi Deng - , Chair of Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Sven Schäfer - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Devin Kronstein - , Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Azra Atabay - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Moritz Susewind - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Elisha Krieg - , Chair of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Sebastian Seiffert - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Jens Gaitzsch - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

As a hydrophilic cyclic ketene acetal (CKA), 2-methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane (MTC) has recently attracted a lot of attention owing to its ability to promote a quicker (bio)degradation as compared to other heavily studied CKAs. Here, we prepared amphiphilic block copolymers based on poly-MTC with varying chain lengths by radical ring opening polymerization. Self-assemblies of these amphiphiles were performed in PBS buffer to generate nanoparticles with sizes from 40 to 105 nm, which were verified by dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and static light scattering (Zimm plots). Subsequently, fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to study the enzymatic degradation of Nile red-loaded nanoparticles. By performing a point-by-point comparison of fluorescence intensity decline patterns between nanoparticles, we demonstrated that lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia was very efficient in degrading the nanoparticles. Hydrolysis degradations under basic conditions were also carried out, and a complete degradation was achieved after 4 h. Additionally, cytotoxicity assays were carried out on HEK293 cells, and the results affirmed cell viabilities over 90% when incubated with up to 1 mg/mL nanoparticles for 24 h. These biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles hence hold great potential for future applications such as drug release.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)303-314
Number of pages12
JournalBiomacromolecules
Volume25
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jan 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38039186