Immobilization of Stimuli-Responsive Nanogels onto Honeycomb Porous Surfaces and Controlled Release of Proteins

Langmuir. 2016 Feb 23;32(7):1854-62. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b04166. Epub 2016 Feb 8.

Abstract

In this article, we describe the formation of functional honeycomb-like porous surfaces fabricated by the breath figures technique using blends of either amino-terminated poly(styrene) or a poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer with homopoly(styrene). Thus, the porous interfaces exhibited either amino or acid groups selectively located inside of the holes, which were subsequently employed to anchor stimuli-responsive nanogels by electrostatic interactions. These nanogels were prepared from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) cross-linked with dendritic polyglycerol (dPG) and semi-interpenetrated with either 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) or 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) to produce positively and negatively charged nanogel surfaces, respectively. The immobilization of these semi-interpenetrated networks onto the surfaces allowed us to have unique stimuli-responsive surfaces with both controlled topography and composition. More interestingly, the surfaces exhibited stimuli-responsive behavior by variations on the pH or temperature. Finally, the surfaces were evaluated regarding their capacity to induce a thermally triggered protein release at temperatures above the cloud point temperature (T(cp)) of the nanogels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Gels
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Carriers
  • Gels
  • Polymers
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine