The Interaction of CORM-2 with Block Copolymers Containing Poly(4-vinylpyridine): Macromolecular Scaffolds for Carbon Monoxide Delivery in Biological Systems

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2016 May;37(9):739-44. doi: 10.1002/marc.201500755. Epub 2016 Mar 4.

Abstract

CORM-2, tricarbonyldichlororuthenium(II) dimer (Ru2 Cl4 (CO)6 ), is a common carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM) studied both in vitro and in vivo, but this compound possesses poor water solubility and a short half-life, which hinders its clinical development. Herein, for the first time the conjugation of CORM-2 is reported with a copolymer containing poly(4-vinylpyridine) to yield water-soluble CO-releasing polymeric nanoparticles. CORM-2 is rapidly conjugated to copolymers through pyridine groups as confirmed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. In comparison with free CORM-2, the copolymers functionalized with CORM-2 display better water solubility and the CO release from the polymer-based CORM is slow and sustained. This study paves the way for the potential use of a copolymer encapsulating CORM-2 as a therapeutic agent.

Keywords: RAFT polymerization; carbon monoxide; drug delivery; macromolecules; nanoparticles.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbon Monoxide / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Micelles
  • Myoglobin / chemistry*
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry*

Substances

  • Micelles
  • Myoglobin
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Polyvinyls
  • tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer
  • poly(4-vinylpyridine)
  • Carbon Monoxide