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Preparation and Characterization of Nanoliposomes for the Entrapment of Bioactive Hydrophilic Globular Proteins
Published on: August 31, 2019
Self-assembled nanocages for hydrophilic guest molecules
Marie-Christine Jones1, Pankaj Tewari, Claudia Blei
1Canada Research Chair in Drug Delivery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, P.O. Box 6128, Downtown Station, H3C 3J7 Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|November 9, 2006
Summary
Researchers developed oil-soluble reverse polymeric micelles using star-shaped polymers for pharmaceutical applications. These novel micelles effectively encapsulate peptides and proteins, enabling their solubilization in oil-based drug delivery systems.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Reverse polymeric micelles are formed by amphiphilic polymers in nonpolar solvents.
- Previous pharmaceutical applications were limited due to unsuitable solvents.
- There is a need for biocompatible reverse micelles for drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and characterize oil-soluble reverse polymeric micelles using alkylated star-shaped poly(glycerol methacrylate).
- To evaluate the encapsulation efficiency of peptides and proteins within these micelles.
- To assess the potential of these micelles as a drug delivery system in pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of alkylated star-shaped poly(glycerol methacrylate) polymers.
- Characterization of micellar structures using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Encapsulation studies with model peptides and proteins (vasopressin, myoglobin, albumin) in various apolar solvents, including ethyl oleate.
Main Results:
- Star-shaped poly(glycerol methacrylate) polymers self-assembled into stable, spherical reverse micelles with sizes under 40 nm.
- The reverse micelles demonstrated significant encapsulation capacity for various peptides and proteins.
- Successful solubilization of encapsulated hydrophilic biomolecules in oil, specifically in ethyl oleate.
Conclusions:
- Alkylated star-shaped poly(glycerol methacrylate) polymers are effective in forming oil-soluble reverse micelles.
- These reverse micelles show promise for solubilizing and delivering peptides and proteins in oil-based pharmaceutical formulations.
- The polymer architecture and guest molecule properties influence micelle-hydrophilic compound interactions, offering tunable drug delivery possibilities.
