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Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Synthesis of Stimuli-responsive Nanogels using Aqueous One-step Crosslinking and Co-nanopolymerization
Published on: January 24, 2025
Keratin-dopamine conjugate nanoparticles as pH/GSH dual responsive drug carriers
Xiao Han1, Lijuan Wang1, Jinsong Du1
1Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Drug-loaded nanoparticles have been widely used in the field of tumor treatment due to their low side effects and reduced frequency of administration. In this study, keratin-dopamine conjugate was first synthesized by amidation reaction and then formed nanoparticles by self-polymerization of dopamine segment. Keratin-dopamine conjugate nanoparticles (KNPs) exhibited pH and glutathione (GSH) dual responsiveness in the simulated tumor environment. These nanoparticles were able to load anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. These drug-loaded KNPs (DKNPs) exhibited controlled drug release in a tumor simulation environment. Meanwhile, DKNPs performed a stronger inhibitory effect on tumor cells compared with human normal tissue cells. Based on the above results, keratin-dopamine conjugate based drug carriers had a broad prospect in the field of cancer treatment.

