Enhanced retention of encapsulated ions in cross-linked polymersomes

Polymer vesicles (polymersomes) composed of poly(butadiene-b-poly(ethylene oxide)) (PB-b-PEO) are known for their stability and limited permeability. However, when these vesicles are diluted, substances, such as ions, encapsulated in the aqueous cavity can be released due to vesicle disruption. In previous studies, we have shown that these vesicles can be loaded efficiently with sufficient quantities of radionuclides to allow application in radionuclide therapy and pharmacokinetics evaluation, provided that there is no loss of the encapsulated radionuclides when diluted in the bloodstream. In this paper, in order to stabilize the carriers, we propose to cross-link the hydrophobic part of the polymersome membrane and to investigate whether such cross-linking induced by γ radiation can enhance the retention of ions (radionuclides). Retention of ions encapsulated in the lumen in such cross-linked carriers has not been previously quantitatively evaluated, although it is of ultimate importance in any medical application. Here, we also investigate how cross-linking affects the transport of radionuclides (loading) through the membrane of the vesicles. The integrity of the vesicles as a function of the radiation dose is also investigated, including morphological changes. The results show that cross-linking hinders the transport of ions through the membrane, which also leads to higher retention of ions encapsulated prior to cross-linking in the vesicles. Electron micrographs show that the shape of the polymersomes is not greatly affected by γ radiation when left in the original solvent (phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or Milli-Q water), but when diluted in a good solvent for both blocks, i.e., tetrahydrofuran (THF), disintegration of the vesicles and the appearance of droplet-like structures is observed, which had not been reported previously. The results of the present study help to formulate polymersomes as carriers for radionuclide therapy, demonstrating a way to prevent in vivo release of radionuclides, caused by dilution-induced destabilization of the nanocarriers.