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Directed Assembly of Elastin-like Proteins into defined Supramolecular Structures and Cargo Encapsulation In Vitro
Published on: April 8, 2020
Design of double stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte microcontainers for protein soft encapsulation
Christian Basset1, Christophe Harder, Claude Vidaud
1DSV/iBEB/SBTN/LEPC, ICSM, UMR 5257 CEACNRS-UM2-ENSCM, CEA Marcoule, BP 17171, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Ceze cedex, France.
Biomacromolecules
|February 6, 2010
Summary
New stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte microcapsules, made from poly(4-vinylpyridine hydrochloride) (PVP) and poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSS), offer controlled handling of biomacromolecules under physiological conditions, preventing denaturation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Developing stable microcapsules for biomacromolecule handling is crucial.
- Existing methods risk biomacromolecule denaturation under physiological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design novel double stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte microcapsules.
- To enable safe handling and encapsulation of biomacromolecules under physiological conditions.
- To prevent denaturation during the process.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized microcapsules using poly(4-vinylpyridine hydrochloride) (PVP) and poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSS).
- Investigated stimuli-responsiveness to temperature and pH variations.
- Quantified encapsulation efficiency using fluorescence techniques.
Main Results:
- Microcapsules demonstrated irreversible shrinkage upon heating.
- Capsules showed reversible swelling at pH > 6, allowing protein diffusion.
- Successful encapsulation of human serum proteins was achieved.
Conclusions:
- The designed polyelectrolyte microcapsules are effective for biomacromolecule handling under physiological conditions.
- The dual stimuli-responsiveness (temperature and pH) provides controlled encapsulation.
- These microcapsules minimize the risk of biomacromolecule denaturation.
