Search results for "Polymersome"
showing 5 items of 15 documents
Functionalization of Active Ester-Based Polymersomes for Enhanced Cell Uptake and Stimuli-Responsive Cargo Release
2016
Poly(2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylamide) (P(DHPMA))-based amphiphilic block copolymers have recently proven to form polymer vesicles (polymersomes). In this work, we further expand their potential by incorporating (i) units for pH-dependent disintegration into the hydrophobic membrane and (ii) mannose as targeting unit into the hydrophilic block. This last step relies on the use of an active ester prepolymer. We confirm the stability of the polymersomes against detergents like Triton X-100 and their low cytotoxicity. The incorporation of 2-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-yl)ethyl methacrylate into the hydrophobic block (lauryl methacrylate) allows a pH-responsive disintegration for cargo rele…
Pentafluorophenyl Ester-based Polymersomes as Nanosized Drug-Delivery Vehicles
2015
In this work, activated ester chemistry is employed to synthesize biocompatible and readily functionalizable polymersomes. Via aminolysis of pentafluorophenyl methacrylate-based precursor polymers, an N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA)-analog hydrophilic block is obtained. The precursor polymers can be versatile functionalized by simple addition of suitable primary amines during aminolysis as demonstrated using a fluorescent dye. Vesicle formation is proven by cryoTEM and light scattering. High encapsulation efficiencies for hydrophilic cargo like siRNA are achieved using dual centrifugation and safe encapsulation is demonstrated by gel electrophoresis. In vitro studies reveal low cy…
From Polymers to Nanomedicines: New Materials for Future Vaccines
2013
Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology and therefore covers various kinds of nanoparticles. In this chapter, we would like to provide a brief introduction and overview of nanoparticles for the modulation of the immune system. In general, these nano-sized objects can be inorganic colloids, organic colloids (synthesized by emulsion polymerization or mini-/nanoemulsion techniques), polymeric aggregates (micelles or polymersomes), core cross-linked aggregates (nanohydrogels, crosslinked micelles, or polyplexes), multifunctional polymer coils, dendritic polymers or perfect dendrimers. A special focus is set on polymeric materials, because the chemical composition of the partic…
Block copolymers in giant unilamellar vesicles with proteins or with phospholipids
2013
Biocompatible, highly water-soluble, nonionic, amphiphilic block copolymers having different hydrophobic blocks and architectures, but similar molecular size and chemical nature of the hydrophilic blocks, were investigated to check for their ability to form hybrid giant unilamellar vesicles with proteins, and for their interactions with giant unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (GUV). PGM14-b-PPO34-b-PGM14 (PGM-PPO-PGM) consists of a poly(propylene oxide) middle block and outer poly(glycerol monomethacrylate) blocks. Ch-PEG32-b-lPG18 (Ch-PEG-lPG) and Ch-PEG30-b-hbPG17 (Ch-PEG-hbPG) have a linear poly(ethylene glycol) block, linked to a cholesterol end group and to a linear (lPG) or hyperbranc…
Mastering the Tools: Natural versus Artificial Vesicles in Nanomedicine
2020
Naturally occurring extracellular vesicles and artificially made vesicles represent important tools in nanomedicine for the efficient delivery of biomolecules and drugs. Since its first appearance in the literature 50 years ago, the research on vesicles is progressing at a fast pace, with the main goal of developing carriers able to protect cargoes from degradation, as well as to deliver them in a time- and space-controlled fashion. While natural occurring vesicles have the advantage of being fully compatible with their host, artificial vesicles can be easily synthetized and functionalized according to the target to reach. Research is striving to merge the advantages of natural and artifici…