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Self-Immolative Polyion Complexes
Xueli Mei1, Elizabeth R Gillies1,2
1Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|July 25, 2025
Summary
New polyion complex (PIC) micelles formed from self-immolative polymers (SIPs) offer controlled release. These PICs degrade in response to pH or UV light, showing low cytotoxicity for potential therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer chemistry
- Materials science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Polyion complexes (PICs) are formed by self-assembling oppositely charged polyelectrolytes.
- PICs are attractive for biopolymer encapsulation in aqueous conditions for therapeutics.
- Stimuli-responsive PICs can release encapsulated cargo under specific biological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel PIC micelles using two self-immolative polymers (SIPs) with complementary charges.
- To investigate the stimulus-responsive degradation of these PIC micelles.
- To assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of the developed PIC micelles.
Main Methods:
- Formation of PIC micelles from a polycationic SIP (light-responsive) and a polyanionic SIP (pH-responsive).
- Evaluation of PIC micelle dispersion and degradation at pH 7.4 and pH 6.
- Assessment of cargo release triggered by UV light irradiation.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays using C2C12 cells.
Main Results:
- SIP PICs (0.6 anion:cation ratio) were well-dispersed at pH 7.4 and degraded at pH 6, mainly due to anionic block depolymerization.
- UV light irradiation primarily triggered depolymerization of the cationic block.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed low toxicity of PICs to C2C12 cells up to 0.5 mg mL-1.
Conclusions:
- Developed a new platform of PIC micelles from self-immolative polymers.
- Demonstrated stimulus-responsive degradation (pH and light) for controlled cargo release.
- PICs exhibit good biocompatibility, suggesting potential for therapeutic applications.
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