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Amphiphilic Block Copolymers PEG-b-PMTCs: Synthesis, Self-Assembly, Degradation Properties and Biocompatibility.
Yiyi Deng1,2, Sven Schäfer3, Devin Kronstein1,2
1Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
Biomacromolecules
|December 1, 2023
Summary
Biodegradable nanoparticles were created from a novel cyclic ketene acetal (CKA), 2-methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane (MTC). These MTC-based nanoparticles show efficient enzymatic and basic hydrolysis degradation and excellent biocompatibility for drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) are gaining attention for their tunable degradation properties.
- 2-methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane (MTC) is a hydrophilic CKA with enhanced biodegradability.
- Amphiphilic block copolymers are promising for nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize amphiphilic block copolymers based on poly-MTC.
- To form and analyze nanoparticles from these copolymers for drug delivery applications.
- To evaluate the degradation profiles and biocompatibility of the MTC-based nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Radical ring-opening polymerization to create poly-MTC block copolymers.
- Self-assembly in PBS buffer to form nanoparticles, characterized by DLS, TEM, and SLS.
- Enzymatic degradation studies using Nile red-loaded nanoparticles and fluorescence spectroscopy.
- Hydrolysis degradation under basic conditions and cytotoxicity assays on HEK293 cells.
Main Results:
- Amphiphilic poly-MTC nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 40 to 105 nm were successfully prepared.
- Lipase from *Pseudomonas cepacia* demonstrated efficient enzymatic degradation of the nanoparticles.
- Complete degradation was achieved within 4 hours under basic hydrolysis conditions.
- Cytotoxicity assays confirmed high cell viability (>90%) at nanoparticle concentrations up to 1 mg/mL.
Conclusions:
- MTC-based amphiphilic block copolymers can form stable, biodegradable nanoparticles.
- The nanoparticles exhibit rapid degradation via enzymatic and hydrolytic pathways.
- These MTC-based nanoparticles are biocompatible and suitable for potential drug delivery applications.
