1 research outputs found
Multifunctional and Dual-Responsive Polymersomes as Robust Nanocontainers: Design, Formation by Sequential Post-Conjugations, and pH-Controlled Drug Release
Robust, multiresponsive, and multifunctional
nanovesicles are in
high demand not only as carrier systems but also for applications
in microsystem devices and nanotechnology. Hence, multifunctional,
pH-responsive, and photo-cross-linked polymersomes decorated with
adamantane and azide groups are prepared by mixed self-assembly of
suitably end-modified block copolymers and are used for the subsequent
postconjugation of the polymersome surface by using covalent and noncovalent
approaches. For the covalent approach, nitroveratryloxycarbonyl-protected
amine (NVOC) molecules as light-responsive moieties are introduced
into the polymersomes through an azide–alkyne click reaction.
After photocleavage of NVOC units, functional dye molecules react
with the now freely accessible amine groups. The noncovalent approach
is performed subsequently to introduce further moieties, making use
of the strong adamantane-β-cyclodextrin host–guest interactions.
It is quantitatively proven that all reactive groups have sufficient
accessibility as well selective and orthogonal reactivity throughout
these stepwise processes to allow the successful establishment of
aimed pH- and light-responsive multifunctional polymersomes. Moreover,
this sequential methodology is also applied to obtain doxorubicin-loaded
multifunctional polymersomes for an efficient pH-controlled drug release.
Overall, tunable membrane permeability combined with the potential
for introducing multiple targeting groups by light-exposure or host–guest
interactions make these smart polymersomes promising nanocontainers
for many applications