Comparison of Different Aliphatic Polyester-Based Microparticles as Protein Delivery Systems

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Biopharmaceutical encapsulation is crucial for drug delivery.
• Aliphatic polyesters offer tunable properties for microparticle fabrication.
• Understanding polymer influence on protein stability and release is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of aliphatic polyester physicochemical properties (crystallinity, hydrophobicity) on protein-loaded microparticle development.
• To compare the encapsulation, release, and activity of model proteins (BSA, α-chymotrypsin) within different polyester matrices.
• To elucidate protein release mechanisms using mathematical modeling.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of amorphous (PDLLA) and semicrystalline (PLLA, PCL, PPDL) polyesters via ring-opening polymerization.
• Fabrication of protein-loaded microparticles using a double emulsion solvent evaporation method.
• Characterization of microparticle size, enzymatic degradation, protein encapsulation efficacy, release rates, and retained enzyme activity.

Main Results:

• Polyester crystallinity and hydrophobicity significantly influenced microparticle characteristics and protein behavior.
• Enzymatic degradation rates varied among the tested polyesters.
• Protein encapsulation efficacy and release kinetics differed based on the polymer matrix, impacting enzyme activity retention.

Conclusions:

• Aliphatic polyester properties critically affect the performance of protein-loaded microparticles.
• Tailoring polyester characteristics is key to optimizing biopharmaceutical encapsulation and controlled release.
• This research provides insights for designing effective protein-eluting delivery systems.