Synthesis of Light-Induced Expandable Photoresponsive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Triggered Release

High stability of drug-delivery nanocarriers during blood circulation is critical for effective drug delivery and low systematic toxicity, although destabilization of these nanocarriers is required for efficient release when they reach target sites. To develop efficient polymeric nanocarriers, we intended to synthesize and characterize a group of cross-linked, light-induced, expandable, polymeric nanoparticles through miniemulsion polymerization. These synthesized nanoparticles were stable in aqueous solutions, although light irradiation led to particle uncaging and further particle expansion up to 315-fold in volume. This resulted in the efficient release of the encapsulated contents in aqueous solutions and three cell lines (HeLa, RAW264.7, and MCF-7). Selective triggered release was also successfully achieved with spatial resolution in cell monolayers. In addition, curcumin encapsulation and photoregulation of its release were realized. Further cell viability of encapsulated curcumin was successfully achieved with light activation.