Efficient Fabrication of Photosensitive Polymeric Nano-objects via an Ingenious Formulation of RAFT Dispersion Polymerization and Their Application for Drug Delivery

Biomacromolecules. 2017 Apr 10;18(4):1210-1217. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01887. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

Abstract

An ingenious formulation of RAFT dispersion polymerization based on photosensitive monomers of 2-nitrobenzyl methacrylate (NBMA) and 7-(2-methacryloyloxy-ethoxy)-4-methyl-coumarin (CMA) is reported herein. Various morphologies, such as spherical micelle, nanoworm, lamella, and vesicle, are fabricated at up to 20% solids content. Photoinduced cleavage of the NBMA moieties and dimerization of the coumarin moieties are simultaneously triggered upon UV (365 nm) irradiation. The former endows the cores of the nano-objects with abundant carboxyl groups, resulting in the transformation of the hydrophobic cores to hydrophilic ones. The latter induces the core-cross-linking of the nano-objects, which endows the nano-objects with enhanced structural stability and prevents the nanoparticle-to-unimer disassembly. The resultant nano-objects exhibit superior structural stability and excellent performances for drug delivery, including high drug loadings, pH-stimuli release, and high-efficient endosomal escape.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drug Liberation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Methacrylates / chemistry
  • Micelles
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Polymerization*
  • Polymers / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Methacrylates
  • Micelles
  • Polymers
  • Doxorubicin