Co-reporter:Huixuan Bu;Xin Xu;Jiaming Chen;Yuecheng Cui
RSC Advances (2011-Present) 2017 vol. 7(Issue 76) pp:48166-48175
Publication Date(Web):2017/10/11
DOI:10.1039/C7RA09747F
Tumour hypoxia, which has a negative effect on most anti-cancer treatments, has caused extensive concern over recent years. Concerned with this issue, this paper reports a hemoglobin-based oxygen nanocarrier (HBOC) functionalized with oxygen carrying and cancer cell recognition ability. First, the triblock copolymer poly[2-(methacrylamido) glucopyranose]-b-poly(methacrylicacid)-b-poly(butylmethacrylate) (PMAG-b-PMAA-b-PBMA), in which the first block consists of glucose units, was synthesized and characterized. Following the self-assembly of the amphiphilic copolymer into micelles in phosphate buffer solution, hemoglobin was conjugated onto the micelles through a condensation reaction between the carboxyl groups on PMAA and the amino groups on Hb. The HBOC, with a mean diameter of around 147 nm, is stable and disperses homogeneously in phosphate buffer solution. In addition, an in vitro cytotoxicity study revealed that the HBOC is biocompatible. More importantly, this HBOC was demonstrated to hold excellent capacity for oxygen binding. Moreover, cellular uptake indicated that the HBOC was internalized more easily by cancer cells than normal cells, which means that the HBOC shows specific recognition of cancer cells. Therefore, the hemoglobin-conjugated polymer that we prepared could be a promising nanocarrier for tumour therapy.
Co-reporter:Jiaming Chen, Huafeng Dai, Hui Lin, Kehua Tu, Hongjun Wang, Li-Qun Wang
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2016 Volume 141() pp:278-283
Publication Date(Web):1 May 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.01.051
•We proposed a new strategy based on electrospray technique to prepare dual-responsive nanogels of pH and redox sensitive.•A biodegradable and multi-responsive poly(ether urethane) (PEU) was synthesized via a facile one-pot method and used as the electrospray material.•The electrospray dual-responsive nanogels may have potential to be a tumor-sensitive drug delivery system.•It demonstrated that the materials which can form hydrogels in physiological condition may be used to prepare nanogels by electrospray method.•It implies that the application range of these materials may be expanded with the more simple and efficient electrospray method for preparing nanogels.In this work, we proposed a new strategy based on electrospray technique to prepare nanogels. Compared with other methods of preparing nanogels, electrospray technique is more simple and efficient. A biodegradable and multi-responsive poly(ether urethane) (PEU) was synthesized via a facile one-pot method and used as the electrospray material. By using electrospray technique, pH- and redox-responsive poly(ether urethane) nanogels were prepared. The morphologies of the electrospray nanoparticles before and after swelling were demonstrated to be spherical and uniform, as characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results showed that the mean hydrodynamic diameter of nanogels was about 500 nm. The pH- and redox-sensitive behaviors of nanogels were studied with DLS and TEM. In acidic media the nanogels dissociated, while in the presence of GSH the nanogels degraded. The nanogels suspension was stored at 4 °C and was stable without aggregation for at least 30 days. Doxorubicin (DOX) can be further loaded into the poly(ether urethane) nanogels. The electrospray nanogels can change the release rate of loaded drug in response to pH and GSH stimuli.
Co-reporter:Fang Yuan, Shasha Wang, Wei Lu, Gaojian Chen, Kehua Tu, Hongliang Jiang and Li-Qun Wang
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 22) pp:4546-4554
Publication Date(Web):06 May 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TB00539F
Glyco-nanogels are glycopolymer-decorated nanoparticles of three-dimensional cross-linked networks, which have attracted ever-increasing interest of the biomedical-related community. However, most of the current reported glycosylated nanogels are prepared by copolymerization of glycopolymers with co-monomers and cross-linkers. Physically self-assembled glyco-nanogels remain a big challenge and are rarely explored. Herein, we report a new synthesis of glycosylated polyelectrolyte nanogels (glyco/CS nanogels), which are self-assembled from glycopolymers (PMAG-b-PMAA) synthesized through reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) and quaternary ammonium chitosan (QACS) via electrostatic interactions under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, NaCl 0.15 M). The resultant glyco-nanogels have been demonstrated to be very stable in 10 mM HEPES buffer solution at least for 7 days and possess a specific binding capability to Con A. Their structure composed of an ionically cross-linked core and a glucose corona was confirmed by TEM. Compared with normal cells, glyco/CS nanogels exhibited a much higher affinity and cytotoxicity towards K562 cancer cells. In addition, the cellular uptake of these nanogels by K562 was further imaged via fluorescent microscopy in which nanogels with yellow-green signals were found to eventually co-locate within the cell nuclei of K562. The incorporation of natural and synthetic sugar polymers into polyelectrolytes has provided an insight to easily prepare glyco-nanogels with excellent colloidal stability, specific bioactivities and imaging ability, suggesting their great potential for biomedical applications.
Co-reporter:Rui Chen and Liqun Wang
RSC Advances 2015 vol. 5(Issue 26) pp:20155-20159
Publication Date(Web):21 Jan 2015
DOI:10.1039/C4RA16935B
An amphiphilic hyperbranched polymer containing large amounts of pH sensitive bonds was synthesized by our group. The hydrophobic chains are hyperbranched polyacetals (HBPAs) and the hydrophilic chains are polyethylene glycols. Polyethylene glycols are attached to the hyperbranched polyacetals by the hydrazone bonds. The amphiphilic hyperbranched polymer could be assembled into micelles easily by the dialysis method. The micelles containing large amounts of pH sensitive bonds were quite fragile in pH 5.0 buffer solution but very stable in pH 7.4 buffer solution. DOX-loaded micelles were also prepared by the dialysis method. The sizes of the blanked micelle and DOX-loaded micelle were 30 nm and 35 nm, respectively. The increase of the diameter confirmed that DOX was successfully loaded into the micelle. Drug loading content and drug loading efficiencies were 2.34% and 23.4%, respectively, which was detected by the UV-VIS at the wavelength of 482 nm. The drug release behavior demonstrated that DOX was released faster in pH 5.0 buffer solution than in pH 7.4 buffer solution.
Co-reporter:Shasha Wang, Fang Yuan, Kui Chen, Gaojian Chen, Kehua Tu, Hongjun Wang, and Li-Qun Wang
Biomacromolecules 2015 Volume 16(Issue 9) pp:
Publication Date(Web):July 24, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00571
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising singlet oxygen (1O2) mediated clinical treatment for many tumors. As the source of 1O2, oxygen plays an important role in the curative effect of PDT. However, the facts of photochemical depletion of oxygen and the intrinsic hypoxic microenvironment of tumors remain the major challenges. In this work, a novel photosensitizer carrier with oxygen self-compensating ability was designed for PDT. It was synthesized via chemical conjugation of hemoglobin (Hb) to polymeric micelles formed by triblock copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(acrylic acid)-block-polystyrene (PEG-b-PAA-b-PS). The PEG-b-PAA-b-PS and resultant micelles in aqueous solution were comprehensively characterized by means of FTIR, 1H NMR, GPC, DLS, TEM, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The oxygen-binding capacity and antioxidative activity of the Hb conjugated micelles were evaluated via UV–vis spectroscopy. In addition, compared with the control micelles without Hb, the Hb conjugated photosensitizer carrier was able to generate more 1O2 and exert greater photocytotoxicity on Hela cells in vitro.
Co-reporter:Shasha Wang, Fang Yuan, Gaojian Chen, Kehua Tu, Hongjun Wang and Li-Qun Wang
RSC Advances 2014 vol. 4(Issue 95) pp:52940-52948
Publication Date(Web):06 Oct 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4RA06397J
The potential toxicity towards human kidneys of hemoglobin (Hb), when used directly, has severely limited its application as a red blood cell substitute and in cancer treatments. In this work, a novel hemoglobin–polymer conjugate was prepared by a reaction between the lysine amino groups of Hb and the carboxyl groups of a copolymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted carboxylated dextran (HOOC-Dex-g-PNIPAAm), which was synthesized by single electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) and post-carboxylation. The conjugate was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, SDS-PAGE, DLS, fluorescence spectroscopy and TEM. Results showed it had a relatively low critical micelle concentration (CMC) and could form stable spherical nanoparticles upon heating above the LCST. The redox activity and gas-binding capacity of the Hb conjugate were subsequently confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, indicating the retention of Hb bioactivity after conjugation. Furthermore, dextran with different numbers of PNIPAAm chains was synthesized for comparison. It revealed that at 37 °C, the temperature above the LCST, the conjugation of Hb to the copolymer Dex-g-PNIPAAm could improve the stability of Hb which increased with the number of PNIPAAm chains.
Co-reporter:Fang Yuan, Shasha Wang, Gaojian Chen, Kehua Tu, Hongliang Jiang, Li-Qun Wang
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2014 Volume 122() pp:194-201
Publication Date(Web):1 October 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2014.06.042
•A method to design pH-sensitive chitosan-based polyelectrolyte nanogels is reported.•The charge-reversible property of polyanion relies on its hydrolysis in acidic media.•The formation of nanogels depends on MW of polyelectrolytes and titration order.•Nanogels disintegrate rapidly in an hour at pH 5.0 but are stable at pH 7.4.•The disintegration behavior of nanogels is consistent with polyanion's hydrolysis.A novel approach to design pH-sensitive and disintegrable polyelectrolyte nanogels composed of citraconic-based N-(carboxyacyl) chitosan (polyanion) and quaternary chitosan (polycation) was reported. Firstly, the hydrolysis of citraconic-modified chitosan was monitored using fluorescamine assay and it could selectively dissociate in acidic media (e.g., pH ∼5.0) due to the isomerization during the addition of citraconic anhydride to chitosan. Secondly, the self-assembly behaviors of different polyelectrolyte pairs between citraconic-based chitosan and quaternary chitosan were investigated via colloidal titration assay. It was indicated that the difference in molecular weight (MW) of opposite charged polyelectrolytes played an important role on the formation of polyelectrolyte nanogels. Results showed that polyelectrolyte nanogels (ca. 300 nm in size) only formed when polyanion and polycation had a very large difference in MW. The pH-sensitive behavior of polyelectrolyte nanogels was comprehensively investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The incorporation of charge-conversional citraconic-based chitosan into polyelectrolyte complexes has provided an effective approach to prepare polyelectrolyte nanogels which were very stable at neutral pH but disintegrated quickly in acidic media.
Co-reporter:Lihua Cao, Jun Luo, Kehua Tu, Li-Qun Wang, Hongliang Jiang
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2014 Volume 115() pp:212-218
Publication Date(Web):1 March 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.11.046
•Core–shell nanoparticles were fabricated by coaxial tri-capillary electrospray-template removal method.•The electrosprayed microparticles presented core–shell–corona structure.•The nanoparticles were downsized to 106 nm by adjusting flow rate of corona fluid.•The nanoparticles displayed excellent dispersion stability and low cytotoxicity.•Paclitaxel loading content in the nanoparticles was achieved as high as 50 wt%.This study proposed a new strategy based on a coaxial tri-capillary electrospray-template removal process for producing nanosized polylactide-b-polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) particles with a core–shell structure. Microparticles with core–shell–corona structures were first fabricated by coaxial tri-capillary electrospray, and core–shell nanoparticles less than 200 nm in size were subsequently obtained by removing the PEG template from the core–shell–corona microparticles. The nanoparticle size could be modulated by adjusting the flow rate of corona fluid, and nanoparticles with an average diameter of 106 ± 5 nm were obtained. The nanoparticles displayed excellent dispersion stability in aqueous media and very low cytotoxicity. Paclitaxel was used as a model drug to be incorporated into the core section of the nanoparticles. A drug loading content in the nanoparticles as high as 50.7 ± 1.5 wt% with an encapsulation efficiency of greater than 70% could be achieved by simply increasing the feed rate of the drug solution. Paclitaxel exhibited sustained release from the nanoparticles for more than 40 days. The location of the paclitaxel in the nanoparticles, i.e., in the core or shell layer, did not have a significant effect on its release.
Co-reporter:Moyuan Cao, Lin Yu, Ping Zhang, Han Xiong, Yucun Jin, Yi Lu, Li-Qun Wang
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2013 Volume 109() pp:154-160
Publication Date(Web):1 September 2013
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.04.001
•Soft-binding ligand capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots was prepared by ligand exchange process.•The resultant quantum dots were soluble in several polar organic solvents, and the photoluminscence was highly preserved.•Polysaccharide-based micelles could be facilely labeled via soft-binding ligand capped quantum dots.In this research, soft-binding aminopropanol (APP) was employed as an efficient ligand, for the transfer of as-prepared hydrophobic CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) into polar solvents. It was found that the ligands at the surface of the original QDs could be completely replaced by APP after a phase-transferring process which successfully maintained fluorescence properties and original morphology of the QDs. The resulting intermediate QDs were soluble in common polar organic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl formamide (DMF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF), and the soft-binding ligand could be easily removed by exposure to water. Taking advantage of the excellent solubility of the APP-capped QDs and the soft-binding characteristics of APP, a novel reaction-free method was investigated for the fluorescent labeling of polysaccharide-based micelles via encapsulation of the intermediate QDs. The incorporation of QDs had little effect on the size of the micelles and did not elevate their cytotoxicity. A photo-induced fluorescence enhancement effect was observed for the incorporated QDs, and the QD-labeled micelles could be used for cell imaging. The concept of soft-binding ligand capped QDs and the reaction-free fluorescent labeling method can be applied to a wide range of QD studies.
Co-reporter:Zhuo-li Lin;Jun Luo;Zheng-jian Chen;Jun Yi
Chinese Journal of Polymer Science 2013 Volume 31( Issue 11) pp:1554-1562
Publication Date(Web):2013 November
DOI:10.1007/s10118-013-1353-1
The intrinsic relationship between molecular chain length and the probability of chain reaction during poly(lactic acid) (PLA) hydrolysis was investigated by Monte Carlo simulation. The chain reaction rate was calculated by introducing a power function of different molecular chain lengths. The hydrolysis of both amorphous and extended-chain crystal PLA was selected as the model system. It is found that, the chain reaction probability was proportional to the chain length with a power of 0.4 for amorphous PLA and 0.7–1 for extended-chain crystal PLA, respectively. These results indicate that PLA with longer chain length usually exhibits larger reaction rate than that with shorter length. Comparing the hydrolysis of the two kinds of PLA, the competition between longer and shorter chains in the different condensed structures is different.
Co-reporter:Zhuo-li Lin;Jun Luo;Zheng-jian Chen;Ke-hua Tu
Chinese Journal of Polymer Science 2013 Volume 31( Issue 7) pp:1056-1060
Publication Date(Web):2013 July
DOI:10.1007/s10118-013-1297-5
A numerical method is developed to compute the development of molecular weight distribution (MWD) curves of linear polymers undergoing chain scission. The method can be applied to complex chain scission kinetics and for arbitrarily complex initial MWD curves. Our method is based on the method of lines (MoL). Different from the existing numerical scheme, we propose the use of logarithmically spaced points. This development ensures the accuracy of the computed MWD curves at low molecular weights, and it does not require a very fine discretization to produce an accurate result.
Co-reporter:Dan Zhao;Songwei Tan;Daqiang Yuan;Weigang Lu;Yohannes H. Rezenom;Hongliang Jiang;Hong-Cai Zhou
Advanced Materials 2011 Volume 23( Issue 1) pp:90-93
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adma.201003012
Co-reporter:Song Wei Tan, Hong Jun Wang, Ke Hua Tu, Hong Liang Jiang, Li Qun Wang
Chinese Chemical Letters 2011 Volume 22(Issue 9) pp:1123-1126
Publication Date(Web):September 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.cclet.2011.04.005
Three model drugs with different function groups were chosen to dialyze with dextran-graft-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide). Only ibuprofen could induce the formation of drug loaded micelles, which was confirmed with dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope. Hydrogen-bonding between the amide groups of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and the carboxyl groups of ibuprofen was driving force for the drug-loaded micelle. It was also found that the diameter of the ibuprofen-loaded micelles changed reversibly against temperature.
Co-reporter:Songwei Tan, Dan Zhao, Daqiang Yuan, Hongjun Wang, Kehua Tu, Li-Qun Wang
Reactive and Functional Polymers 2011 71(8) pp: 820-827
Publication Date(Web):August 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2011.05.002
Co-reporter:Hebing Hu, Lin Yu, Songwei Tan, Kehua Tu, Li-Qun Wang
Carbohydrate Research 2010 Volume 345(Issue 4) pp:462-468
Publication Date(Web):26 February 2010
DOI:10.1016/j.carres.2009.11.029
A novel pH-responsive hydrogel (CHC) composed of N-carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC) and N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] chitosan chloride (HTCC) was synthesized by the redox polymerization technique. Turbidimetric titrations were used to determine the stoichiometric ratio of these two chitosan derivatives. The hydrogel was characterized by FT-IR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dynamic transport of water showed that the hydrogel reached equilibrium within 48 h. The swelling ratio of CHC hydrogel depended significantly on the pH of the buffer solution. The performance of the CHC as a matrix for the controlled release of BSA was investigated. It was found that the release behavior was determined by pH value of the medium as well as the intermolecular interaction between BSA and the hydrogels.
Co-reporter:Junying Lai;Kehua Tu;Hongjun Wang;Zhengjian Chen
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2008 Volume 108( Issue 5) pp:3305-3312
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/app.27741
Abstract
A novel type of linear copolymer composed of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with 5,5′-azodisalicylic acid [olsalazine (OLZ)] was developed for colon-specific drug delivery. These copolymers contained azo bonds that would be degraded by the azoreductase activities in the colon. The resultant condensation polymers were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and gel permeation chromatography. The degradation behavior of the polymer was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro results indicated that the active 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), one of the degradation products, could be released in the medium of the cecum contents specifically. In an in vivo test, there was a 8-h lag time before 5-ASA could be detected in urine samples, and this indicated that the conjugate could remain intact in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. In comparison with OLZ, the release profiles of 5-ASA from PEG–OLZ copolymers were significantly prolonged. In addition, the release profiles of 5-ASA from PEG–OLZ copolymers could be adjusted by changes in the molecular weight of the PEG segment. Because of these advantages of PEG–OLZ copolymers, it could be concluded that PEG–OLZ copolymers could be promising candidates for colon-specific polymeric prodrugs of 5-ASA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Co-reporter:Jie Zhang;Hongjun Wang;Kehua Tu;Li Liu
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2007 Volume 105(Issue 2) pp:915-927
Publication Date(Web):6 APR 2007
DOI:10.1002/app.26136
Amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and either crystalline poly(caprolactone-b-L-lactide) [P(CL-LLA)]or amorphous poly(caprolactone-b-D,L-lactide) [P(CL-DLLA)], respectively, were prepared under mild conditions using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as coupling agent. Micelles were formed from the resultant copolymers with predetermined hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks in water by dialysis method. The composition and structure of the copolymers were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and GPC measurements. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that the crystallization behavior of P(CL-LLA) block is affected significantly by the molecular weight of the conjugated mPEG block, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of P(CL-DLLA) block is depressed by the existence of mPEG moiety in the block copolymer. The crystallization behavior was also characterized by the technique of polarized light microscopy. The hydrodynamic diameter and size distribution of micelles were determined by particle size measurements. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that P(CL-LLA)-b-mPEG block copolymer self-aggregated into thread-like shape in water, whereas P(CL-DLLA)-b-mPEG adopted a classical spherical shape. It is suggested that both the high enthalpy of crystallization and hydrophobicity of P(CL-LLA) core-forming blocks would be responsible for the thread-like morphology. A possible mechanism for the thread-like assembly morphology was also discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Co-reporter:Wen Wu;Wenjing Li;Li Qun Wang;Kehua Tu;Weilin Sun
Polymer International 2006 Volume 55(Issue 5) pp:
Publication Date(Web):3 APR 2006
DOI:10.1002/pi.1993
Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of silk sericin (SS) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) were prepared simultaneously. The properties of the resultant IPN hydrogels were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and SEM as well as their swelling behavior at various temperatures and pH values. The single glass transition temperature (Tg) presented in the IPN thermograms indicated that SS and PNIPAAm form a miscible pair. The swollen morphology of the IPNs observed by SEM demonstrated that water channels (pores present in SEM micrographs) were distributed homogeneously through out the network membranes. The swelling ratio of the IPNs depended significantly on the composition, temperature and pH of the buffer solutions. The dynamic transport of water into the IPN membrane was analyzed based on the Fickian equation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Co-reporter:Chuanzhi Zhang;Fusheng Yu;Kehua Tu
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2006 Volume 101(Issue 5) pp:3301-3306
Publication Date(Web):22 JUN 2006
DOI:10.1002/app.23841
The purpose of the present work is to investigate the compositional difference of polypropylene–polyethylene block copolymers (PP-b-PE) manufactured industrially by the process of degradation and hydrogenation, respectively. Each of the PP-b-PE copolymers was fractionated into three fractions with heptane and chloroform. The compositions of the three fractions were characterized by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal fractionation. The results showed that the Chloroform-soluble fraction was amorphous ethylene-propylene rubber, and the content of the rubber in PP-b-PE manufactured by hydrogenation was less than that by degradation. The degree of crystallinity of the chloroform-insoluble fraction of the PP-b-PE manufactured by hydrogenation is higher than that of by degradation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3301–3306, 2006
Co-reporter:Junying Lai;Kehua Tu;Changsheng Zhao;Weilin Sun
Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2005 Volume 26(Issue 19) pp:1572-1577
Publication Date(Web):14 SEP 2005
DOI:10.1002/marc.200500550
Summary: Copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and 5,5′-azodisalicylic acid (Olsalazine, OLZ) were synthesized and evaluated by hydrolysis and in-vitro biodegradation with azoreductase. It was found that changing the molecular weight of the PEO blocks affected the loading ratio of OLZ, and resulted in significant differences in the hydration and degradability of the copolymers. These novel azo-containing copolymers can be used in colon-specific drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Fang Yuan, Shasha Wang, Wei Lu, Gaojian Chen, Kehua Tu, Hongliang Jiang and Li-Qun Wang
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 22) pp:NaN4554-4554
Publication Date(Web):2015/05/06
DOI:10.1039/C5TB00539F
Glyco-nanogels are glycopolymer-decorated nanoparticles of three-dimensional cross-linked networks, which have attracted ever-increasing interest of the biomedical-related community. However, most of the current reported glycosylated nanogels are prepared by copolymerization of glycopolymers with co-monomers and cross-linkers. Physically self-assembled glyco-nanogels remain a big challenge and are rarely explored. Herein, we report a new synthesis of glycosylated polyelectrolyte nanogels (glyco/CS nanogels), which are self-assembled from glycopolymers (PMAG-b-PMAA) synthesized through reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) and quaternary ammonium chitosan (QACS) via electrostatic interactions under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, NaCl 0.15 M). The resultant glyco-nanogels have been demonstrated to be very stable in 10 mM HEPES buffer solution at least for 7 days and possess a specific binding capability to Con A. Their structure composed of an ionically cross-linked core and a glucose corona was confirmed by TEM. Compared with normal cells, glyco/CS nanogels exhibited a much higher affinity and cytotoxicity towards K562 cancer cells. In addition, the cellular uptake of these nanogels by K562 was further imaged via fluorescent microscopy in which nanogels with yellow-green signals were found to eventually co-locate within the cell nuclei of K562. The incorporation of natural and synthetic sugar polymers into polyelectrolytes has provided an insight to easily prepare glyco-nanogels with excellent colloidal stability, specific bioactivities and imaging ability, suggesting their great potential for biomedical applications.
![Poly[oxy(1-oxo-1,6-hexanediyl)]](http://img.cochemist.com/ccimg/25300/25248-42-4.png)
![Poly[oxy(1-oxo-1,6-hexanediyl)]](http://img.cochemist.com/ccimg/25300/25248-42-4_b.png)