Tailoring Cellular Uptake and Fluorescence of Poly(2-oxazoline)-Based Nanogels

Bioconjug Chem. 2017 Apr 19;28(4):1229-1235. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00067. Epub 2017 Mar 3.

Abstract

Controlling the size and charge of nanometer-sized objects is of upmost importance for their interactions with cells. We herein present the synthesis of poly(2-oxazoline) based nanogels comprising a hydrophilic shell and an amine containing core compartment. Amine groups were cross-linked using glutaraldehyde resulting in imine based nanogels. As a drug model, amino fluorescein was covalently immobilized within the core, quenching excessive aldehyde functions. By varying the amount of cross-linker, the zeta potential and, hence, the cellular uptake could be adjusted. The fluorescence of the nanogels was found to be dependent on the cross-linking density. Finally, the hemocompatibility of the described systems was studied by hemolysis and erythrocyte aggregation assays. While cellular uptake was shown to be dependent on the zeta potential of the nanogel, no harmful effects to red blood cells was observed, rendering the present system as an interesting toolbox for the production of nanomaterials with a defined biological interaction profile.

MeSH terms

  • Amines
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Nanogels
  • Oxazoles / chemistry
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology
  • Oxazoles / toxicity
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics
  • Polyethylene Glycols / toxicity
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry*
  • Polyethyleneimine / pharmacokinetics
  • Polyethyleneimine / toxicity

Substances

  • Amines
  • Nanogels
  • Oxazoles
  • poly(2-oxazoline)
  • polyethylene glycol polyethyleneimine nanogel
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polyethyleneimine