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Thioanisole ester based logic gate cascade to control ROS-triggered micellar degradation

Irene Piergentili1, Pepijn R Bouwmans1, Luuk Reinalda1

  • 1Delft University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands r.eelkema@tudelft.nl.

Polymer Chemistry
|June 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces polymer micelles that disassemble in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling targeted drug delivery. These ROS-responsive nanocarriers offer selective therapeutic release in diseased tissues while remaining stable in healthy conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are elevated in tumor and diseased tissues.
  • Targeted drug delivery systems that respond to biomarkers like ROS are crucial for effective therapeutics.
  • Existing systems often lack stability in healthy physiological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop polymer micelles with a ROS-responsive switch for selective drug delivery.
  • To investigate the stability and disassembly kinetics of these micelles under varying ROS concentrations.
  • To demonstrate a logic gate cascade behavior for biomarker-responsive materials.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of polymer micelles functionalized with 4-(methylthio)phenyl ester.
  • Exposure of micelles to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at different concentrations and temperatures (37 °C).
  • Monitoring micellar disassembly via hydrolysis of thioether moieties and ester linkages.

Main Results:

  • Micelles disassembled within hours at high H2O2 concentrations (60-600 mM) and days at lower concentrations (2 mM) at 37 °C.
  • Nanocarriers remained stable in oxidant-free physiological and mildly acidic conditions.
  • Demonstrated selective response to ROS, indicating a logic gate cascade behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Polymer micelles with thioether functionalities act as effective ROS-responsive drug delivery vehicles.
  • These micelles exhibit controlled disassembly triggered by ROS, offering potential for targeted cancer therapy.
  • The developed system represents a significant advancement in creating smart drug delivery materials responsive to specific biological cues.

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