Preparation of Degradable and Transformable Core-Corona-Type Particles that Control Cellular Uptake by Thermal Shape
Syuuhei Komatsu1, Satoshi Yamada1, Akihiko Kikuchi1
1Department of Materials Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 20, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed degradable, shape-changing microparticles. Rod-shaped particles showed less uptake by macrophages than spherical ones, enabling controlled cellular interactions for drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Particle characteristics like size, shape, and surface properties influence cellular interactions and uptake.
- Controlling particle physical properties allows for intentional alteration of microparticle-cell interactions.
- Particle degradability is crucial for in-body biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare degradable, core-corona-type microparticles that deform near body temperature.
- To investigate the influence of particle shape on cellular uptake, particularly by macrophages.
- To develop stimuli-responsive drug delivery carriers with controlled degradation and excretion.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized degradable and transformable particles using poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) and three-armed poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL).
- Controlled particle melting point by adjusting the PCL chain length.
- Induced particle shape change (spherical to rod) via uniaxial stretching above the core's melting point.
- Assessed particle degradation under acidic and alkaline conditions via ester hydrolysis.
- Quantified cellular uptake by macrophages for spherical versus rod-shaped particles.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared degradable and transformable core-corona microparticles.
- Particle degradation was confirmed under both acidic and alkaline conditions.
- Rod-shaped microparticles exhibited significantly lower uptake by macrophages compared to spherical microparticles.
- The melting point and degradability were tunable via PCL chain length and polymer backbone structure.
Conclusions:
- Degradable, shape-transformable microparticles can be synthesized with tunable properties.
- Stimuli-regulated particle shape offers a method to control macrophage interactions.
- These particles hold promise as drug delivery carriers that can degrade and be excreted from the body.
