Synthesis of glucose-responsive bioconjugated gel particles using surfactant-free emulsion polymerization

Bioconjugated gel particles that have complexes composed of lectin concanavalin A (ConA) and 2-glucosyloxyethyl methacrylate (GEMA) were synthesized by the surfactant-free emulsion copolymerization of N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA), poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), GEMA, and modified-ConA with polymerizable groups. The resultant gel particles having GEMA-ConA complexes (GEMA-ConA gel particles) were colloidally stable in a phosphate buffer solution and had a diameter of approximately 750nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements implied that GEMA-ConA gel particles have core-shell structures consisting of a hydrophobic core of DEAEMA and a hydrophilic shell of GEMA and PEGDMA containing ConA. GEMA-ConA gel particles underwent a change in size in response to glucose in a phosphate buffer solution. The swelling ratio of GEMA-ConA gel particles gradually increased with an increase in the glucose concentration. On the other hand, the swelling ratio of GEMA-ConA gel particles remained unchanged in a phosphate buffer solution containing galactose. The glucose-responsive swelling of GEMA-ConA gel particles was induced by the dissociation of GEMA-ConA complexes acting as reversible cross-links, because free glucose behaved as an inhibitor of GEMA-ConA complexes. These results indicate that GEMA-ConA gel particles can recognize glucose selectively and undergo changes in size in response to the glucose concentration. The smart functions of glucose-responsive gel particles can provide tools for constructing self-regulated drug delivery systems and sensor systems useful for treating diabetes.