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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
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A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles
Published on: December 23, 2016
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Hydrogen sulfide-releasing micelles for promoting angiogenesis
Jerry J Y Chen1, A J van der Vlies2, U Hasegawa2
1Osaka University, Department of Applied Chemistry, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan.
Polymer Chemistry
|April 2, 2021
Summary
Controlled release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is crucial for its therapeutic applications. New polymeric micelles deliver H2S effectively, enhancing angiogenesis in cellular and chick models.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a vital signaling molecule involved in numerous physiological processes, including angiogenesis.
- The therapeutic potential of H2S is dose- and duration-dependent, necessitating controlled H2S delivery systems.
- Existing methods for H2S delivery lack precise control over release kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop polymeric micelles capable of controlled hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release.
- To investigate the relationship between micelle thermodynamic stability and H2S release rate.
- To evaluate the angiogenic potential of sustained H2S release from these micelles.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of amphiphilic block copolymers with hydrophilic poly(N-acryloyl morpholine) and hydrophobic segments containing anethole dithiolethione (ADT) for H2S release.
- Fabrication of polymeric micelles with varying ADT content to modulate thermodynamic stability and H2S release profiles.
- Assessment of H2S release kinetics, cellular migration, and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
- Evaluation of vascularization in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Main Results:
- Polymeric micelles with tunable H2S release profiles were successfully synthesized.
- Increased thermodynamic stability of micelles correlated with significantly slower H2S release.
- Sustained H2S release promoted HUVEC migration and tube formation, and induced vascularization in the CAM assay.
Conclusions:
- The developed polymeric micelles offer a promising platform for controlled H2S delivery.
- Controlled H2S release from these micelles demonstrates significant pro-angiogenic effects.
- This technology holds potential for therapeutic strategies targeting angiogenesis-dependent diseases.
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