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Dual pH-Responsive Polymer Nanogels with a Core-Shell Structure for Improved Cell Association
Haiyan Sui1, Zhiliang Gao1, Jianman Guo1
1Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Shandong University , Jinan , Shandong 250100 , China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 10, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed pH-responsive polymer nanogels with a cleavable shell to enhance cellular association for cancer therapy. The nanogels show improved cell uptake in acidic tumor environments, advancing bio-nano interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Developing targeted drug delivery systems is crucial for effective cancer therapy.
- pH-responsive materials offer potential for controlled drug release in specific microenvironments.
- Understanding bio-nano interactions is key to optimizing nanocarrier efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize polymer nanogels with a pH-responsive core and a pH-sheddable shell.
- To investigate the pH-dependent cellular association of these novel nanogels.
- To evaluate their potential for enhanced therapeutic delivery in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a pH-responsive poly(2-diisopropylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDPA) core via emulsion polymerization.
- Coating the PDPA core with a pH-sheddable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) shell using acid-degradable amide bonds.
- Investigating nanogel behavior and cell association under varying pH conditions.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated polymer nanogels with a pH-responsive PDPA core and a pH-sheddable PEG shell.
- Demonstrated that the PEG shell is cleavable in acidic conditions (pKa ≈ 6.2).
- Observed enhanced cellular association of nanogels upon PEG shell cleavage due to surface charge reversal.
Conclusions:
- The developed pH-responsive polymer nanogels show promise for targeted cancer therapy.
- The pH-triggered shell shedding and subsequent charge reversal enhance cellular uptake.
- These nanogels offer a valuable platform for studying bio-nano interactions and advancing therapeutic delivery.
