Synthesis of the Hemoglobin-Conjugated Polymer Micelles by Thiol Michael Addition Reactions

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers mPEG-b-PMAC-b-PCL are synthesized using methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol), cyclic carbonic ester monomer including acryloyl group, and ε-caprolactone. Copolymers are self-assembled into core-shell micelles in aqueous solution. Thiolated hemoglobin (Hb) is conjugated with micelles sufficiently through thiol Michael addition reaction to form hemoglobin nanoparticles (HbNs) with 200 nm in diameter. The conjugation of Hb onto the micelle surface is further confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Feeding ratio of copolymer micelles to Hb at 1:3 would lead to the highest hemoglobin loading efficiency 36.7 wt%. The UV results demonstrate that the gas transporting capacity of HbNs is well remained after Hb is conjugated with polymeric micelles. Furthermore, the obtained HbNs have no obvious detrimental effects on blood components in vitro. This system may thus have great potential as one of the candidates to be developed as oxygen carriers and provide a reference for the modification of protein drugs.