Enhancing Cellular Internalization of Single-Chain Polymer Nanoparticles via Polyplex Formation

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Dec 12;23(12):5036-5042. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00858. Epub 2022 Nov 16.

Abstract

Intracellular delivery of nanoparticles is crucial in nanomedicine to reach optimal delivery of therapeutics and imaging agents. Single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) are an interesting class of nanoparticles due to their unique site range of 5-20 nm. The intracellular delivery of SCNPs can be enhanced by using delivery agents. Here, a positive polymer is used to form polyplexes with SCNPs, similar to the strategy of protein and gene delivery. The size and surface charge of the polyplexes were evaluated. The cellular uptake showed rapid uptake of SCNPs via polyplex formation, and the cytosolic delivery of the SCNPs was presented by confocal microscopy. The ability of SCNPs to act as nanocarriers was further explored by conjugation of doxorubicin.

MeSH terms

  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Polymers*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Doxorubicin
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations