Shell-cross-linked micelles from PNIPAM-b-(PLL)2 Y-shaped miktoarm star copolymer as drug carriers

Biomacromolecules. 2010 Jul 12;11(7):1882-90. doi: 10.1021/bm1004383.

Abstract

Well-defined AB2 Y-shaped miktoarm star copolymers of PNIPAM-b-(PZLL)2 and PNIPAM-b-(PLL)2 were synthesized through the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), ring-opening polymerization (ROP), and click chemistry, where PNIPAM, PZLL, and PLL are poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), poly(epsilon-benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-lysine), and poly(L-lysine), respectively. Propargyl amine was employed as ROP initiator for the preparation of alkynyl-terminated PZLL. Diazide-terminated PNIPAM was obtained with an azide-containing ATRP initiator. The subsequent click reaction led to the formation of PNIPAM-b-(PZLL)2. After the removal of the benzyloxycarbonyl group, water-soluble PNIPAM-b-(PLL)2 was obtained. The core-shell micelles of PNIPAM-b-(PLL)2 were formed above lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAM block. At this temperature, the shell cross-linking was performed through the reaction between glutaraldehyde and the primary amine groups of the PLL shell, affording the micelles with the endurance to temperature and pH changes. These shell-cross-linked micelles were used as drug nanocarriers and the release profile was dually controlled by the solution temperature and the cross-linking degree.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry
  • Amines
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Stability
  • Glutaral
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Micelles*
  • Polylysine / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Polymers / therapeutic use
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Amines
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Micelles
  • Polymers
  • Polylysine
  • poly-N-isopropylacrylamide
  • Glutaral