Dendritic chelating agents. 1. Cu(II) binding to ethylene diamine core poly(amidoamine) dendrimers in aqueous solutions

This paper describes an investigation of the uptake of Cu(II) by poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with an ethylenediamine (EDA) core in aqueous solutions. We use bench scale measurements of proton and metal ion binding to assess the effects of (i) metal ion-dendrimer loading, (ii) dendrimer generation/terminal group chemistry, and (iii) solution pH on the extent of binding of Cu(II) in aqueous solutions of EDA core PAMAM dendrimers with primary amine, succinamic acid, glycidol, and acetamide terminal groups. We employ extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to probe the structures of Cu(II) complexes with Gx-NH2 EDA core PAMAM dendrimers in aqueous solutions at pH 7.0. The overall results of the proton and metal ion binding measurements suggest that the uptake of Cu(II) by EDA core PAMAM dendrimers involves both the dendrimer tertiary amine and terminal groups. However, the extents of protonation of these groups control the ability of the dendrimers to bind Cu(II). Analysis of the EXAFS spectra suggests that Cu(II) forms octahedral complexes involving the tertiary amine groups of Gx-NH2 EDA core PAMAM dendrimers at pH 7.0. The central Cu(II) metal ion of each of these complexes appears to be coordinated to 2-4 dendrimer tertiary amine groups located in the equatorial plane and 2 axial water molecules. Finally, we combine the results of our experiments with literature data to formulate and evaluate a phenomenological model of Cu(II) uptake by Gx-NH2 PAMAM dendrimers in aqueous solutions. At low metal ion-dendrimer loadings, the model provides a good fit of the measured extent of binding of Cu(II) in aqueous solutions of G4-NH2 and G5-NH2 PAMAM dendrimers at pH 7.0.     

以聚酰胺-胺树形分子为模板制备AgI纳米簇

本文以聚酰胺-胺(PAMAM)树形分子为模板,原位制备AgI纳米簇.系统地研究了AgI纳米簇制备过程中各种反应条件如树形分子端基、反应时间、Ag⁺与PAMAM摩尔比等对AgI纳米簇粒径的影响,分别用紫外-可见光谱、荧光光谱、透射电镜等对所制备的纳米簇进行表征.在相同的条件下,以G4.5-COOH₃为模板较以G5.0-NH₂为模板制备的AgI纳米簇粒径小、分布均匀,这主要取决于G4.5-COOCH₃PAMAM树形分子所起的“内模板”作用.G4.5-COOH₃树形分子浓度为1×10^-5mol/L,Ag⁺与树形分子摩尔比为30:1时所制备的AgI纳米簇的粒径分布均匀、稳定性好,室温避光可稳定存在两个月以上.     

树状大分子聚酰胺-胺的合成及对药物分子增溶性能研究

采用发散法合成了以乙二胺为核的1．0～3．0树状大分子聚酰胺-胺(PAMAM)．采用红外光谱和核磁共振对PAMAM的结构进行了表征，并考察了不同pH值、不同浓度的PAMAM对难溶药物布洛芬的增溶能力．结果表明：PAMAM较十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDS)对布洛芬有较强的增溶能力，增溶量随PAMAM浓度增加而增大，其增溶机理是由于PAMAM的氨基与布洛芬的羧基之间存在静电作用．     

Polyamidoamine dendrimers surface-engineered with biomimetic phosphorylcholine as potential drug delivery carriers

Biomimetic acryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (APC) was used to react with generation 5 poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (G5) via the Michael addition reaction between primary amino group of PAMAM dendrimers and acrylic functional group of APC. FTIR and (1)H NMR confirmed the success of surface modification of G5. The primary amino and phosphorylcholine (PC) group numbers of the surface engineered PAMAM dendrimers (G5-PC) were calculated to be 56 and 50 via (1)H NMR and potentiometric titration. Cell viability and cell morphology studies indicated that biomimetic phosphorylcholine surface engineering successfully lowered the cytotoxicity of G5 PAMAM dendrimers. The hydrophobic interior of G5-PC was used to incorporate anti-cancer drug Adriamycin (ADR) and the G5-PC showed sustained releasing behavior for ADR. Cell morphology and viability tests indicated that the drug-loaded G5-PC conjugate could effectively enter the cancer cells and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Biomimetic phosphorylcholine surface engineered PAMAM dendrimers with lowered cytotoxicity and high cellular penetrating ability showed great potential for the biomedical applications as nanocarrier system.     

Photoresponsive nanocarriers based on PAMAM dendrimers with a o‐nitrobenzyl shell

Gn (n = 3, 4, and 5) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers were synthesized and peripherally modified with photocleavable o‐nitrobenzyl (NB) groups by reacting o‐nitrobenzaldehyde with the terminal amine groups of PAMAM dendrimers, followed by reducing the imine to amine groups with NaBH₄. The NB‐modified dendrimers, Gn‐NB (n = 3, 4, and 5), were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the NB groups were successfully attached on the periphery of the dendrimers with near 100% grafting efficiency. Such a photosensitive NB shell could be cut off on irradiation with 365 nm ultraviolet (UV) light. The encapsulation and release of guest molecules, that is, salicylic acid (SA) and adriamycin (ADR), by Gn‐NB were explored. The encapsulation capability of these dendrimers was found to increase as the guest molecular size was decreased and have dependence on the generation of dendrimers as well. For both of SA and ADR, the average encapsulation numbers per dendrimer decreased in the order of G4‐NB > G5‐NB > G3‐NB, indicating that the fourth generation dendrimer was a better container for the guest molecules. The rate of SA release was found to be greater with UV irradiation than that without, suggesting that the NB‐shelled PAMMAM dendrimers could function as a molecular container/box with photoresponsive characteristics. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 551–557, 2010     

细胞膜仿生修饰树枝状聚酰胺-胺的研究

利用2-丙烯酰氧基乙基磷酸胆碱的双键与树枝状聚酰胺-胺表面的氨基进行Michael加成反应,实现树枝状聚酰胺-胺表面的磷酸胆碱仿生修饰,修饰过程用FTIR、1H-NMR进行了表征.体外细胞活性测定和细胞形貌观察证实磷酸胆碱仿生修饰有效地改善了聚酰胺-胺树枝状聚合物的生物相容性;修饰后的聚酰胺-胺树枝状聚合物表面剩余的氨基仍然可以有效的与DNA复合,有可能作为一种潜在的基因载体得到广泛应用.     

Synthesis of conjugates of β-cyclodextrin with polyamidoamine dendrimers and their molecular inclusion interaction with levofloxacin lactate

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers of different generations (G2 and G4) conjugated with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), PAMAM (G2, G4)-CD, were synthesized using substitution reaction from mono-6-iodine-β-cyclodextrin and PAMAM dendrimers. The resulting molecular structures were characterized by NMR, IR. The molecular interaction between various dendrimers and levofloxacin lactate (LFL) were investigated by monitoring the fluorescence of LFL in the presence of dendrimers in buffer solution (pH 7.4) at 25?°C. It was found that the PAMAM (G2, G4)-CD possesses higher sensitizing ability than that of the corresponding parent dendrimers and natural β-CD, and increases concomitantly with the increases of generation and content of β-CD, suggesting that the PAMAM (G2, G4)-CD possesses stronger inclusion ability with LFL. The possible interaction mechanism between PAMAM-CD and LFL was proposed by ¹H NMR analysis and theoretical calculation. The results show that the LFL molecule is located at the amine end of dendrimer molecule and along the side of cyclodextrin cavities to form supramolecular complexes. Furthermore, results indicate that the main driving force of the complex could be attributed to the electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding between LFL and PAMAM-CD, as well as the synergistic effect of intermolecular forces.     

激发态分子内质子转移(ESIPT)发色团修饰的树枝形聚合物合成及光物理研究

设计合成了0～4代外围修饰激发态分子内质子转移(ESIPT)发色团的聚酰胺-胺树枝形聚合物G0～G4,化合物结构经过IR,1H NMR,13C NMR和MS表征.稳态光谱研究表明,树枝形聚合物在四氢呋喃溶液中形成了聚集体,发色团酮式发光随着化合物代数增大呈先增加后减小的变化.质子化树枝形聚合物G1-H～G4-H能溶于水,并在水中形成20 nm左右的聚集体,发色团在聚集体疏水区中构象受限,仅发射酮式发光,并且发光强度受树枝形聚合物分子大小的影响.     

PAMAM树形分子与Cd2＋的配位作用研究及CdS/PAMAM纳米复合材料的制备与表征

CdS半导体纳米簇具有独特的光、电性能, 如何制备均匀分散的、能够稳定存在的CdS纳米簇是目前的研究热点之一. 以聚酰胺-胺(PAMAM)树形分子为模板, 原位合成了CdS纳米簇. 首先用UV-Vis分光光度法研究了与树形分子的配位机理, 得出G4.5和G5.0的平均饱和配位数分别为16和34, 并发现在G4.5PAMAM树形分子中Cd^2＋主要与最外层叔胺基配位, 在G5.0PAMAM树形分子中Cd^2＋主要与最外层伯胺基配位. 酯端基的G4.5的模板作用要明显优于胺端基的G5.0. 通过改变Cd^2＋与G4.5树形分子的摩尔比可以得到不同粒径的CdS纳米簇. 溶液的pH值对CdS纳米簇影响很大, pH在7.0左右制备的CdS纳米簇粒径小而均匀, 且溶液稳定性高. 用UV-Vis分光光度计和TEM对CdS纳米簇的大小和形貌进行了表征. 结果表明TEM观测CdS纳米簇的粒径要大于用Brus公式的估算值.     

Morphological change of gold-dendrimer nanocomposites by laser irradiation

Gold-dendrimer nanocomposites are prepared in aqueous solutions in the presence of poly(amidoamine)dendrimers (PAMAM) (generation 3 and 5) or poly(propyleneimine)dendrimers (PPI) (generation 3 and 4) by wet chemical NaBH(4) method. Thus prepared gold-dendrimer nanocomposites are irradiated by laser at 532 nm. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the gold nanoparticles grow with the laser irradiation time as well as the fluence of the laser; in particular, the gold nanoparticles prepared at lower concentrations of PAMAM dendrimer as well as lower generations of PAMAM grow significantly. On the other hand, in the case of PPI dendrimers, the gold nanoparticles hardly grow by irradiation. In addition, dynamic light-scattering measurements show that the laser irradiation markedly promotes the association of the gold-PAMAM G3 dendrimer nanocomposites compared to that of the gold-PAMAM G5 dendrimer nanocomposites, while the sizes of association for the gold-PPI G3, G4 dendrimer nanocomposites hardly change by laser irradiation.     

Molecular heterogeneity analysis of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-based mono- and multifunctional nanodevices by capillary electrophoresis

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer-based nanodevices are of recent interest in targeted cancer therapy. Characterization of mono- and multifunctional PAMAM-based nanodevices remains a great challenge because of their molecular complexity. In this work, various mono- and multifunctional nanodevices based on PAMAM G5 (generation 5) dendrimer were characterized by UV-Vis spectrometry, (1)H NMR, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE). CE was extensively utilized to measure the molecular heterogeneity of these PAMAM-based nanodevices. G5-FA (FA denotes folic acid) conjugates (synthesized from amine-terminated G5.NH(2) dendrimer, approach 1) with acetamide and amine termini exhibit bimodal or multi-modal distributions. In contrast, G5-FA and bifunctional G5-FA-MTX (MTX denotes methotrexate) conjugates with hydroxyl termini display a single modal distribution. Multifunctional G5.Ac(n)-FI-FA, G5.Ac(n)-FA-OH-MTX, and G5.Ac(n)-FI-FA-OH-MTX (Ac denotes acetamide; FI denotes fluorescein) nanodevices (synthesized from partially acetylated G5 dendrimer, approach 2) exhibit a monodisperse distribution. It indicates that the molecular distribution of PAMAM conjugates largely depends on the homogeneity of starting materials, the synthetic approaches, and the final functionalization steps. Hydroxylation functionalization of dendrimers masks the dispersity of the final PAMAM nanodevices in both synthetic approaches. The applied CE analysis of mono- and multifunctional PAMAM-based nanodevices provides a powerful tool to evaluate the molecular heterogeneity of complex dendrimer conjugate nanodevices for targeted cancer therapeutics.     

Polyelectrolyte behavior and interpolyelectrolyte matching of AstramolTM poly(propylene imine) dendrimers

Polyelectrolyte behavior of Astramol^TM poly(propylene imine) dendrimers of five generations, G1‐G5, namely DAB‐dendr‐(NH₂)_x (where x is equal to 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64) was studied by means of potentiometric titration in salt‐free water solutions and also in the presence of a shielding low molecular electrolyte (NaCI). In addition to x outer primary amine groups the dendrimer molecule contains x‐2 inner tertiary amine groups. The repeating unit, the core molecule and the fifth generation dendrimer structure are shown in the following Scheme.     

Dendrimer-based macromolecular conjugate for the kidney-directed delivery of a multitargeted sunitinib analogue

The development of a macromolecular conjugate of a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor is described that can be used for renal‐specific delivery into proximal tubular cells. A novel sunitinib analogue, that is, 17864, is conjugated to a NH₂‐PAMAM‐G3 dendrimer via the platinum (II)‐based Universal Linkage System (ULS?). The activity of 17864 is retained after coordination to the ULS linker alone or when coupled to NH₂‐PAMAM‐G3. 17864‐UlS‐NH₂‐PAMAM‐G3 is non‐toxic to proximal tubular cells in vitro. After intravenous administration to mice, 17864‐UlS‐NH₂‐PAMAM‐G3 rapidly and efficiently accumulates in the kidneys. These results are encouraging for future studies focusing on the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of renal diseases.

     

Nanoscale protein pores modified with PAMAM dendrimers

We describe nanoscale protein pores modified with a single hyperbranched dendrimer molecule inside the channel lumen. Sulfhydryl-reactive polyamido amine (PAMAM) dendrimers of generations 2, 3 and 5 were synthesized, chemically characterized, and reacted with engineered cysteine residues in the transmembrane pore alpha-hemolysin. Successful coupling was monitored using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results indicate that G2 and G3 but not G5 dendrimers permeated through the 2.9 nm cis entrance to couple inside the pore. The defined molecular weight cutoff for the passage of hyperbranched PAMAM polymers is in contrast to the less restricted accessibility of flexible linear poly(ethylene glycol) polymers of comparable hydrodynamic volume. Their higher compactness makes sulfhydryl-reactive PAMAM dendrimers promising research reagents to probe the structure of porous membrane proteins with wide internal diameters. The conductance properties of PAMAM-modified proteins pores were characterized with single-channel current recordings. A G3 dendrimer molecule in the channel lumen reduced the ionic current by 45%, indicating that the hyperbranched and positively charged polymer blocked the passage of ions through the pore. In line with expectations, a smaller and less dense G2 dendrimer led to a less pronounced current reduction of 25%. Comparisons to recordings of PEG-modified pores revealed striking dissimilarities, suggesting that differences in the structural dynamics of flexible linear polymers vs compact dendrimers can be observed at the single-molecule level. Current recordings also revealed that dendrimers functioned as ion-selectivity filters and molecular sieves for the controlled passage of molecules. The alteration of pore properties with charged and hyperbranched dendrimers is a new approach and might be extended to inorganic nanopores with applications in sensing and separation technology.     

Synthesis of P(MBA-co-MAA) microsphere-grafted PAMAM dendrimers and their application as supporters for gold nanoparticles

Poly(N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microsphere-supported polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers up to third generation (G) were grown onto the surface as well as the gel-layer of P(MBA-co-MAA) microspheres by a divergent method. The P(MBA-co-MAA) supported PAMAM dendrimers were used as heterogeneous stabilizers for the gold nanoparticles by an in situ reduction of HAuCl₄ via the efficient coordination interaction between the amino groups of the supported PAMAM dendrimers and the gold atoms. The effects of the generations of the P(MBA-co-MAA) supported PAMAM dendrimer on the loadings and the catalytic activity of the heterogeneous Au nanoparticles were systematically investigated with the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol as a model reaction.     

Scaling trend in diffusion coefficients of low generation G0–G3 PAMAM dendrimers in aqueous solution at high and neutral pH

Aqueous solution diffusion coefficients for G0–G3 PAMAM dendrimers were determined from DOSY-NMR spectroscopy at high and neutral pH. The study was performed in a dilute regime and diffusion coefficients at infinite dilution (D ₀) were estimated from the variation of diffusion coefficients with dendrimer concentration. Hydrodynamic radii (R _h) for each dendrimer were estimated from D ₀ using the Stoke–Einstein relationship at both pH. According to D ₀ and R _h values, the structure of G0–G1 PAMAM dendrimers is almost insensitive to pH variations, whereas G2–G3 PAMAM dendrimers undergo swelling at neutral pH, due to surface amino groups protonation. Experimental diffusion coefficients show a scaling trend with the number of dendrimer atoms (N), with scaling laws of the type D₀ μ N^a D_{0} \propto N^{\alpha } , where α takes values of −0.39 and −0.50 at pH 12 and 7, respectively. For the first time, experimental data accounts for the scaling behavior of aqueous diffusion coefficients for low generation PAMAM dendrimers, as previously reported from molecular dynamics simulations.     

Evaluation of different PAMAM dendrimers as molecular vehicle of 1,2,4-triazine N-oxide derivative with potential antitumor activity

The interaction between a 1,2,4-triazine N-oxide derivative, that holds potential antitumor activity under hypoxic conditions, and diverse polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were investigated with the purpose of select the most appropriate macromolecule to act as potential molecular carrier of this active compound. The results shows that dendrimers with amine terminal groups (PAMAM-AT G = 3) and dendrimers with carboxylate terminal groups (PAMAM-CT G2.5 and G4.5) produces triazine derivative hydrolysis, even in buffered medium, and are not suitable as carriers. In contrast, dendrimers with neutral end groups (PAMAM-OHT) shows stable association with the active compound, making this dendrimer a possible medium for triazine carriage.     

Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers on lipid bilayers I: Free energy and conformation of binding

Third-generation (G3) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are simulated approaching 1,2-dimyristoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) bilayers with fully atomistic molecular dynamics, which enables the calculation of a free energy profile along the approach coordinate. Three different dendrimer terminations are examined: protonated primary amine, uncharged acetamide, and deprotonated carboxylic acid. As the dendrimer and lipids become closer, their attractive force increases (up to 240 pN) and the dendrimer becomes deformed as it interacts with the lipids. The total energy release upon binding of a G3-NH3+, G3-Ac, or G3-COO- dendrimer to a DMPC bilayer is, respectively, 36, 26, or 47 kcal/mol or, equivalently, 5.2, 3.2, or 4.7x10(-3) kcal/g. These results are analyzed in terms of the dendrimers' size, shape, and atomic distributions as well as proximity of individual lipid molecules and particular lipid atoms to the dendrimer. For example, an area of 9.6, 8.2, or 7.9 nm2 is covered on the bilayer for the G3-NH3+, G3-Ac, or G3-COO- dendrimers, respectively, while interacting strongly with 18-13 individual lipid molecules.     

Shape‐Persistent and Adaptive Multivalency: Rigid Transgeden (TGD) and Flexible PAMAM Dendrimers for Heparin Binding

This study investigates transgeden (TGD) dendrimers (polyamidoamine (PAMAM)‐type dendrimers modified with rigid polyphenylenevinylene (PPV) cores) and compares their heparin‐binding ability with commercially available PAMAM dendrimers. Although the peripheral ligands are near‐identical between the two dendrimer families, their heparin binding is very different. At low generation (G1), TGD outperforms PAMAM, but at higher generation (G2 and G3), the PAMAMs are better. Heparin binding also depends strongly on the dendrimer/heparin ratio. We explain these effects using multiscale modelling. TGD dendrimers exhibit “shape‐persistent multivalency”; the rigidity means that small clusters of surface amines are locally well optimised for target binding, but it prevents the overall nanoscale structure from rearranging to maximise its contacts with a single heparin chain. Conversely, PAMAM dendrimers exhibit “adaptive multivalency”; the flexibility means individual surface ligands are not so well optimised locally to bind heparin chains, but the nanostructure can adapt more easily and maximise its binding contacts. As such, this study exemplifies important new paradigms in multivalent biomolecular recognition.     

Interaction forces between poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers adsorbed on gold surfaces

Interaction forces between two gold surfaces with adsorbed poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (generations G3.0 and G5.0) have been investigated using colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the absence of dendrimers or at their low concentrations, an attractive force derived from the van der Waals interaction was observed. On the other hand, this attractive interaction changed to repulsion with increasing dendrimer concentration. The origin of the repulsion can be attributed to either an electric double layer interaction or a steric effect of the adsorbed dendrimers, depending on the concentration of dendrimer. The steric hindrance was also influenced by the generation of the dendrimer; the force-detectable distance in the presence of PAMAM G5.0 dendrimer was slightly longer than that in the presence of G3.0 dendrimer. In order to estimate the occupied area of each dendrimer adsorbed on gold, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurement was also carried out.