1 research outputs found
Insulin/poly(ethylene glycol)-<i>block</i>-poly(l‑lysine) Complexes: Physicochemical Properties and Protein Encapsulation
Insulin
(INS) was encapsulated into complexes with polyÂ(ethylene
glycol)-<i>block</i>-polyÂ(l-lysine) <b>(</b>PEG-<i>b</i>-PLys), which is a polypeptide-based block
copolymer (a neutral-cationic block polyelectrolyte). The particular
cationic-neutral block copolymer can complex INS molecules in aqueous
media via electrostatic interactions. Light-scattering techniques
are used to study the complexation process and structure of the hybrid
nanoparticles in a series of buffers, as a function of protein concentration.
The physicochemical and structural characteristics of the complexes
depend on the ionic strength of the aqueous medium, while the concentration
of PEG-<i>b</i>-PLys was constant through the series of
solutions. As INS concentration increased the size distribution of
the complexes decreased, especially at the highest ionic strength.
The size/structure of complexes diluted in biological medium indicated
that the copolymer imparts stealth properties and colloidal and biological
stability to the complexes, features that could in turn affect the
clearance properties in vivo. Therefore, these studies could be a
rational roadmap for designing the optimum complexes/effective nanocarriers
for proteins and peptides