Thiol-functionalized shell crosslinked knedel-like (SCK) nanoparticles: A versatile entry for their conjugation with...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Bioconjugation

Background:

• Development of novel nanoparticle platforms is crucial for advanced drug delivery and diagnostics.
• Shell crosslinked knedel-like (SCK) nanoparticles offer unique structural properties for biomolecule conjugation.
• Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)ylation is a common strategy to improve nanoparticle biocompatibility and circulation time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize thiol-functionalized SCK nanoparticles.
• To conjugate bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto the SCK nanoparticles as a model biomacromolecule.
• To evaluate the efficiency of BSA conjugation and the resulting nanoparticle characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Amphiphilic block copolymers of acrylic acid and styrene were used as precursors.
• PEG chains were functionalized with protected thiol groups and grafted onto the polymer.
• Micelle formation followed by shell crosslinking created the SCK structure.
• Deprotection of thiol groups and subsequent conjugation with maleimido-functionalized BSA.

Main Results:

• SCK nanoparticles with approximately 750 thiols per nanoparticle were successfully prepared.
• BSA conjugation efficiency exceeded 50-60% at various stoichiometries.
• Particle size analysis showed SCK diameters of 16-20 nm and hydrodynamic diameters of 20-30 nm before and after BSA conjugation.

Conclusions:

• Thiol-functionalized SCK nanoparticles can be effectively prepared and conjugated with biomacromolecules like BSA.
• The developed SCK nanoparticles exhibit favorable size characteristics suitable for potential biomedical applications.
• This study provides a robust method for creating functionalized nanoparticles for further research in drug delivery and diagnostics.