具有pH-响应性的聚天冬氨酸类载药胶束的制备和释放能力研究

通过大分子引发剂ω-氨基-α-甲氧基聚乙二醇引发N-羧基-α-氨基环内酸酐开环聚合和水合肼侧基改性,制备了一系列聚乙二醇-聚氨基酸类三嵌段共聚物.其中聚氨基酸链段包括具有酰肼基的聚天冬氨酸衍生物(PAHy),以及疏水性的聚丙氨酸链段.引入具有pH响应性的腙键键合阿霉素,利用键合阿霉素与游离阿霉素之间的π-π叠合作用,在聚合物自组装形成胶束过程中通过化学键合+物理包埋的方式充分负载药物.该胶束以聚丙氨酸链段为核心,以PEG链段为冠层,以PAHy链段为包裹药物的壳层.载药胶束的粒径在170 nm左右.研究不同pH值条件下载药胶束的药物释放能力,随环境pH值的降低药物的释放速率显著增加.     

接枝型聚两性电解质CS-g-PLGA的合成及溶液性质

合成了以壳聚糖(CS)为主链、 聚(L-谷氨酸)(PLGA)为侧链的接枝型聚两性电解质CS-g-PLGA(CGA), 表征了其结构与组成, 探讨了pH值、 离子强度和离子种类等对CGA水溶液性质的影响. 研究发现, 随着溶液离子强度的增大, CGA的等电点(IEP)移向高pH值; 离子水化半径越大, 对CGA分子中相反电荷的屏蔽作用越弱, 对IEP的影响越小; CGA中氨基和羧基相对含量越接近, 对溶液离子强度的变化越敏感. 此外, CGA具有显著的pH响应性, 在酸性及碱性溶液中分别形成结构相反的聚集体. 在CS主链氨基含量相近的条件下, 聚集体的稳定性随PLGA链长的增加而提高. 酸性溶液中聚集体粒径取决于CS主链的电荷数; 碱性溶液中PLGA侧链越长则平均粒径越大.     

聚丙烯酰胺/聚L-谷氨酸苄酯接枝共聚物的合成及其胶束制备

以聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)为大分子引发剂, 采用开环聚合方法, 在N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)中引发L-谷氨酸苄酯环内酸酐(BLG-NCA)聚合合成了两亲性聚丙烯酰胺/聚L-谷氨酸苄酯接枝共聚物(PAM-g-BLG), 采用IR, 1H NMR和GPC方法对共聚物结构进行了表征; 用芘作荧光探针, 研究了共聚物胶束的形成及其临界胶束浓度(cmc), 利用动态光散射(DLS)和透射电镜(TEM)研究了胶束的粒径分布和形态. 结果表明, PAM能够引发BLG-NCA开环聚合得到接枝共聚物, 在一定条件下接枝共聚物能够形成球形的稳定胶束, cmc值和胶束粒径随着共聚物中疏水性聚L-谷氨酸苄酯(PBLG)链段含量的增加而减小.     

两亲性树状接枝己内酯共聚物的合成与表征

通过树状接枝聚己内酯的侧羟基及端羟基与氯甲酰化的聚乙二醇进行接枝反应,得到带有亲水性聚乙二醇链段的新型两亲性树状接枝共聚物.1H-NMR分析显示,接枝率为50%左右.GPC分析结果表明,共聚物分子量呈较窄的单峰分布,分子量与接枝前相比明显增高.两亲性共聚物能直接分散在水中形成胶束溶液.以芘为荧光探针的测试结果表明其临界胶束浓度有降低.动态光散射测得胶束平均粒径在16至31 nm之间,粒径分散指数适中,PDI在0.25至0.39之间.TEM显示胶束粒子为不规整球形,由更小的粒径为几个纳米的微粒聚集而成,这些微粒的大小刚好与单个大分子的尺寸相匹配.因此,两亲性树状接枝聚己内酯在水相中存在单分子胶束与多分子组装胶束的平衡.得益于支化聚合物结构中的纳米空腔,两亲性树状接枝聚合物胶束对紫杉醇具有优良的包载能力.     

多响应性聚肽共混胶束的药物控释性能

合成了聚(L-谷氨酸)-b-聚氧化丙烯-b-聚(L-谷氨酸)(PLGA-b-PPO-b-PLGA)三嵌段聚肽共聚物.通过透射电镜、激光光散射与核磁共振等方法研究了其与聚乙二醇-6-聚氧化丙烯(PEG-b-PPO)两嵌段共聚物共混体系的自组装行为,使用紫外分光光度计探讨了负载阿霉素的共混聚集体在不同环境下的释药行为.结果表明:该体系形成了以PPO为内核,PLGA和PEG为壳的共混胶束,该共混胶束的释药行为不仅具有pH和温度的响应性,并且对共混胶束的组分具有依赖性.     

PPEGMEA-g-PDEAEMA全亲水接枝共聚物的合成及其 包埋甲氨喋呤体外控释的研究

以聚乙二醇丙烯酸酯(PEGMEA)为起始原料, 将原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)技术和从主干接枝(grafting-from)策略相结合, 合成了结构规整的聚甲基醚聚乙二醇丙烯酸酯-g-聚(N,N’-二乙基胺乙基甲基丙烯酸酯) (PPEGMEA-g- PDEAEMA)接枝共聚物. 这种接枝共聚物通过静电作用形成胶束包埋甲氨喋呤(MTX), 得到具有98.7%高包封率的药物载体, 体外药物释放得到很好的控制.     

PSI-g-PEG-DDA对油溶性超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒子的包覆及对肿瘤核磁造影成像的研究

天冬氨酸(ASP)自身热缩聚产物聚琥珀酰亚胺(PSI)通过与氨基化聚乙二醇单甲醚(α-胺基-ω-甲氧基-聚乙二醇)和十二胺(DDA)进行连续两步开环反应,制备了双亲性蜈蚣形聚合物聚琥珀酰亚胺接枝聚乙二醇与十二胺(PSI-g-PEG-DDA).随着改变疏水链段DDA的接枝比例,通过胶束粒径的变化确定了最佳的接枝比例.核磁共振波谱(1H-NMR)及凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)对聚合物的性质进行了表征.通过相转移法,聚合物对油溶性超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒子进行包覆,制备了新型的水溶性超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒子(PSI-g-PEGDDA@IONPs).动态光散射(DLS)和透射电镜(TEM)对新型的水溶性氧化铁纳米粒子的粒径与形貌进行了表征.体外T2核磁造影成像(MRI in vitro)确定了制备的氧化铁纳米粒子的R2质子驰豫率.肝癌小鼠模型的体内核磁造影成像(MRI in vivo)结果表明新型氧化铁纳米粒子对肿瘤部位有明显的T2核磁造影增强效应,并有很长的体内循环半衰期.以上实验结果表明,新型的水溶性纳米氧化铁粒子可以作为一种潜在的用于肿瘤检测的核磁造影剂.     

蠕虫状聚离子复合型胶束的合成、组装和胶体稳定性

采用开环聚合方法制备了嵌段共聚物聚乙二醇-聚乙烯亚胺(PEG-b-PEI), 通过静电组装方法使其与质粒DNA(pDNA)在溶液中自发构筑成蠕虫状聚离子复合型胶束(PICmicelle), 利用原子力显微镜、 动态光散射、 Zeta电势和凝胶电泳等方法研究了血液或细胞间质中各种因素对胶束稳定性的影响. 结果表明, 在蠕虫状聚离子复合型胶束中, PEI和pDNA通过静电吸引构成疏水性内核, 而亲水性的PEG分子作为保护型外壳包裹在内核的表面. 在保持PEG链段长度不变的前提下, 增加PEI链段长度可明显增强PEI与pDNA的静电结合力, 有效地防止了NaCl对胶体结构的破坏, 而且有助于抑制阴离子的取代. 但增加PEI链段长度会导致胶束表面PEG分子含量的降低, 不利于胶束抵抗蛋白质的吸附和DNA酶的降解. 因此合理地调整PEG-b-PEI分子的结构, 对于获得高效、 安全和稳定的蠕虫状聚离子胶束具有重要意义.     

聚谷氨酸基双重响应性纳米胶束的制备及药物控释性能

首先制备端氨基聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-co-聚乙二醇)大分子引发剂,再通过端氨基引发L-谷氨酸-γ-苄酯-N-羧酸酐开环聚合,制备了聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-co-聚乙二醇)与聚(L-谷氨酸-γ-苄酯)的嵌段共聚物,将其中的γ-苄酯基团转化为酰肼基团后与阿霉素(DOX)共价结合,最后在水溶液中自组装成纳米胶束,制备了温度和pH值双重响应性纳米胶束。胶束外层由亲水性聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-co-聚乙二醇)组成,具有温敏性,低临界溶液温度为38℃;胶束内层由聚(L-谷氨酸-γ-酰肼-阿霉素)组成。该胶束对于药物的释放具有温度和pH双重敏感性。     

氧化响应性含硒聚己内酯-b-聚磷酸酯三嵌段 聚合物胶束的合成及性能

以聚己内酯为大分子引发剂、异辛酸亚锡为催化剂引发磷酸酯单体2-乙氧基-2-氧-1,3,2-二氧磷酸酯环戊烷(EOP)开环聚合得到二嵌段的聚己内酯-b-聚磷酸酯聚合物PCL-PEEP。以1-(3-二甲氨基丙基)-3-乙基碳二亚胺,4-二甲氨基吡啶为偶合催化体系,以新合成的二羧酸含硒小分子3,3′-硒代二丙酸(Se-DCP)为偶联剂,得到含硒三嵌段聚合物PCL-PEEP-Se-PEEP-PCL,并采用溶剂挥发法制备该聚合物的胶束。通过核磁共振、红外光谱和凝胶渗透色谱对聚合物的结构进行了表征,通过荧光光谱、核磁共振氢谱、动态光散射和透射电镜对聚合物胶束的临界胶束浓度和氧化响应性进行了分析表征,利用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法评价了聚合物胶束的生物相容性。结果表明:硒元素成功引入到聚合物中;聚合物胶束的临界胶束质量浓度为0.022mg/mL,胶束为平均粒径约91nm的球形;在过氧化氢的氧化条件下,胶束粒径出现不规则变化且球形胶束发生解组装;聚合物胶束具有良好的生物相容性。     

The Formation of Biodegradable Polymeric Micelles from Newly Synthesized Poly(aspartic acid)‐block‐Polylactide AB‐Type Diblock Copolymers

Summary: A poly(aspartic acid)‐block‐polylactide (PAsp‐block‐PLA) diblock copolymer was synthesized through the polymerization of β‐benzyl‐L ‐aspartate‐N‐carboxyanhydride [Asp(OBzl)‐NCA] with amino‐terminating polylactide (NH₂‐PLA) as a macroinitiator. The chain length of the PAsp segment could be easily controlled by changing the monomer/initiator ratio. Dynamic light scattering measurements of PAsp‐block‐PLA aqueous solutions revealed the formation of polymeric micelles. Changes in the micelles as a function of pH were investigated.

The structure and formation of micelles of the poly(aspartic acid)‐block‐polylactide (PAsp‐block‐PLA) diblock copolymers synthesized here.     

Polyion complex nanomaterials from block polyelectrolyte micelles and linear polyelectrolytes of opposite charge. 2. Dynamic properties

The present study investigates the relationship between the aggregation state and dynamic properties of block ionomer complexes (BICs) based on amphiphilic ionic block copolymers. The polyion coupling of 4'-(aminomethyl)fluorescein (AMF)-labeled poly(sodium methacrylate) (PMANa) or polystyrene- block-poly(sodium carboxylates) with poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide), PEVP was studied at an excess of carboxylate groups [PEVP]/[COO(-)] TOTAL = 0.3 and detected by fluorescence quenching. The polyion interchange reactions included migration of PEVP between the following: (1) two linear polyanion chains, (2) linear polyanion chain and anionic polyion shell micelle, or (3) two anionic polyion shell micelles. Additionally, the interchange of AMF-labeled PMANa with unlabeled PMANa in the shell of polystyrene- block-PEVP micelles was studied. The interchange reactions were carried out at [PEVP]/[COO(-)] TOTAL = 0.15 and detected by fluorescence quenching (direct reaction) or ignition (reverse reaction). The rates of these reactions were compared using half-conversion times and, when possible, second-order reaction kinetic constants. The dependences of the rates on the ionic strength and polyion length observed for BICs were similar to those previously reported for regular interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) of linear polyions. However, the interchange reactions involving polyion shell micelles were much slower than those reactions observed in IPECs. The coupling reactions involving polyion shell micelles were also slower compared with the coupling of linear polyions. The observed phenomena were attributed to the aggregation state of polyion shell micelles and discussed using the collision model for polyion interchange reactions previously proposed for IPECs.     

Polyion micelles with diphase-segregated core: electrostatic self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">block</Emphasis>-poly(4-vinylpyridium) and tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin in solution

The polyion micelles were prepared with poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridium) (PEG₁₁₄-b-P(4-VPH+)₃₅) and tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) in acid aqueous solution. Micellization was investigated by using a combination of static and dynamic laser scattering. UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed that the H- and J-type aggregates of TPPS were formed in the micellar core. Transmission electron microscopy studies of the polyion micelles show that the obtained polyion micelles take a diphase-segregated core, the polymer phase and the incompatible TPPS aggregates phase.     

Self-assembled polypeptide-block-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as prospective drug-delivery systems

Poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate)-block-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) diblock copolymers (PAsp(OBzl)-b-PVP) having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments of various lengths were synthesized by a combination of ATRP and ROP. These amphiphilic diblock copolymers formed polymeric micelles consisting of a hydrophobic PAsp(OBzl) core and a hydrophilic PVP shell in aqueous solution. The block copolymer was characterized using ¹H NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis. Due to its core–shell structure, this block polymer forms unimolecular micelles in aqueous solutions. The micelle properties of PAsp(OBzl)-b-PVP diblock copolymer were extensively studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PAsp(OBzl)-b-PVP copolymers displayed the lowest CMC and demonstrated little cytotoxicity when exposed to SW-1990 pancreatic cancer cells. In order to assess its application in biomedical area, the anti-inflammation drug prednisone acetate was loaded as the model drug in the polymeric nanoparticles. In vitro release behavior of prednisone acetate was investigated, which showed a dramatic responsive fast/slow switching behavior according to the pH-responsive structural changes of a micelle core structure. All of theses features are quite feasible for utilizing it as a novel intelligent drug-delivery system.     

Formation of Stable and Monodispersive Polyion Complex Micelles in Aqueous Medium from Poly(L-lysine) And Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Poly(Aspartic Acid) Block Copolymer

Abstract

In this study, the formation of polyion complex micelles from a pair of poly(L-lysine) homopolymers (P(Lys)) and poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(aspartic acid) block copolymers (PEG-P(Asp)) with varying chain length was demonstrated in aqueous medium. There exists the lower critical chain length in the charged segments of both P(Lys) and PEG-P(Asp) to form stable polyion complex micelles in nanometric scale. The scaled average characteristic line width (ΓTK²) was independent on the detection angles for all combinations, suggesting that the formed polyion complex micelles may have a spherical shape. Furthermore, the transitional diffusion coefficient (D_T) had no concentration dependence, indicating the micelle system was free from secondary aggregates (the cluster of micelles). It is of interest that the micellar size was almost constant (ca. 50 nm) regardless of the change in the chain length of the charged segments. Size distribution was extremely narrow, and the values of variance μ₂/Γ ²) were always less than 0.1. Laser-Doppler electrophoresis measurements revealed that the polyion complex micelles were electrically neutral, suggesting that the PEG corona surrounding the polyion complex core may contribute to their stable dispersion in an aqueous medium through steric repulsion of the tethered hydrophilic chain, in this case, PEG. This system was considerably stable against the change in ionic strength, and it maintained a constant diameter in the region below 0.4 M NaCl. However, they dissociated under high ionic strength condition as 0.6 M NaCl. The system may have potential utility to include charged peptides and nucleotides in the core, delivering these biologically useful substances into a target site in the body.     

Aqueous phase behavior of polyelectrolytes with amphiphilic counterions modulated by cyclodextrin: the role of polyion flexibility

Polyelectrolytes with amphiphilic counterions, PEACs, are water insoluble because the amphiphiles self-assemble into highly charged micelles that strongly associate with the equally highly charged polyions. However, in the presence of water soluble cyclodextrins (CDs) that form inclusion complexes with the amphiphiles and prevent micellization, PEACs become soluble as the dispersed amphiphiles behave essentially as simple monovalent counterions. In this paper, we illustrate, by example, how strongly the ternary phase behavior of PEAC:CD:water depends on the polyion flexibility; for a highly flexible polyion (polyacrylate) the amphiphilic aggregates dictate the phase behavior, whereas a much stiffer polyion (DNA) itself dictates liquid crystalline ordering.     

Circumvent PEGylation dilemma by implementing matrix metalloproteinase-responsive chemistry for promoted tumor gene therapy

Surface modification by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGylation) has been acknowledged as a powerful strategy in minimizing non-specific reactions for biomedical devices. Once applied into manufacture of drug/gene delivery systems, PEGylation has demonstrated to significantly improve their biocompatibility and stealthiness in physiological environment. Nonetheless, reluctant cell membrane affinities thus cellular uptake efficiencies owing to PEGylation brought up further issues that are imperative to be resolved. Pertain to this PEGylation dilemma, we attempted to introduce peptide (GPLGVRG) linkage between block copolymer of PEG-poly{N'-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethyl]aspartamide} PAsp(DET), wherein the cationic PAsp(DET) could self-assemble with pDNA into nanoscaled complex core. Noteworthy was the peptide linkage whose amino acids sequence could be specifically recognized and degraded by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (overexpressed in extracellular milieu of tumors). Therefore, our subsequent studies validated facile detachment of PEGylation from the aforementioned polyplex micelles upon treatment of MMPs, which elicited improved cytomembrane affinities and cellular uptake efficiencies. In addition, promoted escape from endosome entrapment was also confirmed through direct endosome membrane destabilization by PAsp(DET), which was further elucidated to be attributable to dePEGylation as well as elevated charged density of PAsp(DET) in acidic endosomes. These benefits from dePEGylation eventually contributed to promoted gene expression at the affected cells and potent tumor growth suppression based on anti-angiogenic approach. Therefore, our developed strategy has provided a facile approach in overcoming the dilemma of PEGylation, which could be informative in design of drug/gene delivery systems.     

Synthesis and supramolecular assembly of clicked anionic dendritic polymers into polyion complex micelles

Remarkably stable polyion complex micelles with narrow size distribution result from the supramolecular assembly of clicked anionic PEG-dendritic block copolymers with oppositely charged polymers.     

Circumvent PEGylation dilemma by implementing matrix metalloproteinase-responsive chemistry for promoted tumor gene therapy

Surface modification by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGylation) has been acknowledged as a powerful strategy in minimizing non-specific reactions for biomedical devices. Once applied into manufacture of drug/gene delivery systems, PEGylation has demonstrated to significantly improve their biocompatibility and stealthiness in physiological environment. Nonetheless, reluctant cell membrane affinities thus cellular uptake efficiencies owing to PEGylation brought up further issues that are imperative to be resolved. Pertain to this PEGylation dilemma, we attempted to introduce peptide (GPLGVRG) linkage between block copolymer of PEG-poly{N'-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethyl]aspartamide} PAsp(DET), wherein the cationic PAsp(DET) could self-assemble with pDNA into nanoscaled complex core. Noteworthy was the peptide linkage whose amino acids sequence could be specifically recognized and degraded by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (overexpressed in extracellular milieu of tumors). Therefore, our subsequent studies validated facile detachment of PEGylation from the aforementioned polyplex micelles upon treatment of MMPs, which elicited improved cytomembrane affinities and cellular uptake efficiencies. In addition, promoted escape from endosome entrapment was also confirmed through direct endosome membrane destabilization by PAsp(DET), which was further elucidated to be attributable to dePEGylation as well as elevated charged density of PAsp(DET) in acidic endosomes. These benefits from dePEGylation eventually contributed to promoted gene expression at the affected cells and potent tumor growth suppression based on anti-angiogenic approach. Therefore, our developed strategy has provided a facile approach in overcoming the dilemma of PEGylation, which could be informative in design of drug/gene delivery systems.     

Lactosylated poly(ethylene glycol)-siRNA conjugate through acid-labile beta-thiopropionate linkage to construct pH-sensitive polyion complex micelles achieving enhanced gene silencing in hepatoma cells

The remarkably enhanced gene silencing in hepatoma cells was achieved by assembling lactosylated-PEG-siRNA conjugates bearing acid-labile beta-thiopropionate linkages into polyion complex (PIC) micelles through the mixing with poly(l-lysine). The PIC micelles with clustered lactose moieties on the periphery were successfully transported into hepatoma cells in a receptor-mediated manner, releasing hundreds of active siRNA molecules into the cellular interior responding to the pH decrease in the endosomal compartment. Eventually, almost 100 times enhancement in gene silencing activity compared to that of the free conjugate was achieved for the micelle system, facilitating the practical utility of siRNA therapeutics.