Nucleobase-Functionalized Supramolecular Micelles with Tunable Physical Properties for Efficient Controlled Drug Release
Journal
Macromolecular Bioscience
Pages
1415-1421
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Complementary nucleobase-functionalized polymeric micelles, a combination of adenine-thymine (A-U) base pairs and a blend of hydrophilic–hydrophobic polymer pairs, can be used to construct 3D supramolecular polymer networks; these micelles exhibit excellent self-assembly ability in aqueous solution, rapid pH-responsiveness, high drug loading capacity, and triggerable drug release. In this study, a multi-uracil functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) (U-PCL) and adenine end-capped difunctional oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) (BA-PEG) are successfully developed and show high affinity and specific recognition in solution owing to dynamically reversible A-U-induced formation of physical cross-links. The U-PCL/BA-PEG blend system produces supramolecular micelles that can be readily adjusted to provide the desired critical micellization concentration, particle size, and stability. Importantly, in vitro release studies show that doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded micelles exhibit excellent DOX-encapsulated stability under physiological conditions. When the pH value of the solution is reduced from 7.4 to 5.0, DOX-loaded micelles can be rapidly triggered to release encapsulated DOX, suggesting these polymeric micelles represent promising candidate pH-responsive nanocarriers for controlled-release drug delivery and pharmaceutical applications. (Figure presented.). ? 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Subjects
biocomplementary interaction
controlled-release drug delivery
pH-responsive micelle
self-assembly
supramolecular polymer
SDGs
Type
journal article