6533b853fe1ef96bd12ad4a7

RESEARCH PRODUCT

pH-Responsive protein nanoparticlesviaconjugation of degradable PEG to the surface of cytochromec

Johannes EwaldElena SteiertPeter WichPeter WichUte A. HellmichAnnika WagnerHolger Frey

subject

Polymers and PlasticsbiologyChemistryCytochrome cOrganic Chemistrytechnology industry and agricultureNanoparticleBioengineeringPolyethylene glycolVinyl etherengineering.materialBiochemistrychemistry.chemical_compoundChemical engineeringDrug deliverybiology.proteinmedicineengineeringPEGylationBiopolymerSolubilitymedicine.drug

description

Proteins represent a versatile biopolymer material for the preparation of nanoparticles. For drug delivery applications an acid-triggered disassembly and payload release is preferred. Herein, we present a protein nanoparticle system based on cytochrome c, which is surface-modified with acid-degradable polyethylene glycol (PEGylation). pH-Sensitivity was obtained through vinyl ether moieties distributed in the polyether backbone. When PEGylated, cytochrome c shows a different solubility behaviour in organic solvents, which allows for particle preparation using an emulsion-based solvent evaporation method. The resulting particles are stable under physiological conditions but degrade at acidic pH values. Fluorescence-labelled dextran was successfully encapsulated as a hydrophilic model payload in these degradable nanoparticles and a release under acidic conditions was observed.

https://doi.org/10.1039/c9py01162e