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Multicompartment Nanoparticles by Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly of Star Polymers: Combining High Stability and
Haohui Huo1, Jing Zou2, Shu-Gui Yang1
1Shaanxi International Research Center for Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|November 10, 2022
Summary
Novel multicompartment nanoparticles (MCNs) offer high stability and significantly enhanced cargo loading capacity. These advanced nanoparticles show excellent cytocompatibility and potential for drug delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Materials science
Background:
- Developing nanoparticles with high stability and cargo capacity is crucial for drug delivery.
- Traditional nanoparticles often face limitations in loading efficiency and stability.
- Multicompartment nanoparticles (MCNs) offer a promising alternative architecture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel multicompartment nanoparticles (MCNs) with enhanced stability and cargo loading capacity.
- To investigate the fabrication of MCNs using crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA).
- To evaluate the potential of MCNs for hydrophobic drug encapsulation and delivery.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of MCNs via crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of a 21-arm star polymer: poly(L-lactide)[poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)]20 [PLLA(PtBA-b-PEG)20].
- Characterization of MCN morphology (platelet-like or spherical) with a crystalline PLLA core, hydrophobic PtBA subdomains, and PEG stabilization.
- Encapsulation of hydrophobic cargos (Nile Red, doxorubicin) and assessment of loading capacity.
- Depolarized fluorescence measurements to explore the relationship between free volume and drug loading.
- In vitro studies to evaluate cytocompatibility, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity of drug-loaded MCNs.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated stable MCNs with high cargo loading capacity, exceeding traditional CDSA nanoparticles by two orders of magnitude.
- Demonstrated successful encapsulation of hydrophobic molecules like Nile Red and doxorubicin into PtBA subdomains.
- Identified potential correlation between the free volume of hydrophobic chains and drug loading capacity.
- Showcased excellent cytocompatibility of blank MCNs and dose-dependent cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of drug-loaded MCNs.
Conclusions:
- Novel MCNs fabricated via CDSA exhibit superior stability and significantly enhanced hydrophobic cargo loading capacity.
- The free volume within the hydrophobic subdomains is a key factor in regulating drug loading efficiency.
- These MCNs demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and promising potential for targeted drug delivery systems.
