Synthesis and Characterization of Stimuli‐Responsive Star‐Like Polypept(o)ides: Introducing Biodegradable PeptoStars

Star‐like polymers are one of the smallest systems in the class of core crosslinked polymeric nanoparticles. This article reports on a versatile, straightforward synthesis of three‐arm star‐like polypept(o)ide (polysarcosine‐block‐polylysine) polymers, which are designed to be either stable or degradable at elevated levels of glutathione. Polypept(o)ides are a recently introduced class of polymers combining the stealth‐like properties of the polypeptoid polysarcosine with the functionality of polypeptides, thus enabling the synthesis of materials completely based on endogenous amino acids. The star‐like homo and block copolymers are synthesized by living nucleophilic ring opening polymerization of the corresponding N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) yielding polymeric stars with precise control over the degree of polymerization (X _n = 25, 50, 100), Poisson‐like molecular weight distributions, and low dispersities (Đ = 1.06–1.15). Star‐like polypept(o)ides display a hydrodynamic radius of 5 nm (μ₂ < 0.05) as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). While star‐like polysarcosines and polypept(o)ides based on disulfide containing initiators are stable in solution, degradation occurs at 100 × 10^–3m glutathione concentration. The disulfide cleavage yields the respective polymeric arms, which possess Poisson‐like molecular weight distributions and low dispersities (Đ = 1.05–1.12). Initial cellular uptake and toxicity studies reveal that PeptoStars are well tolerated by HeLa, HEK 293, and DC 2.4 cells.

     

Immunopharmacological Properties of Methacrylic Acid Polymers as Potential Polymeric Carrier Constituents of Anticancer Drugs

Cytostatic chemotherapeutics provide a classical means to treat cancer, but conventional treatments have not increased in efficacy in the past years, warranting a search for new approaches to therapy. The aim of the study was, therefore, to obtain methacrylic acid (MAA) (co)polymers and to study their immunopharmacological properties. 4-Cyano-4-[(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanyl] pentanoic acid (CDSPA) and 2-cyano-2-propyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate (CPDT) were used as reversible chain transfer agents. Experiments were carried out in Wistar rats. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the polymeric systems on peritoneal macrophages. An experimental tumor model was obtained by grafting RMK-1 breast cancer cells. Serum cytokine levels of tumor-bearing rats were analyzed. The chain transfer agents employed in classical radical polymerization substantially reduced the molecular weight of the resulting polymers, but a narrow molecular weight distribution was achieved only with CDSPA and high CPDT concentrations. Toxicity was not observed when incubating peritoneal macrophages with polymeric systems. In tumor-bearing rats, the IL-10 concentration was 1.7 times higher and the IL-17 concentration was less than half that of intact rats. Polymeric systems decreased the IL-10 concentration and normalized the IL-17 concentration in tumor-bearing rats. The maximum effect was observed for a MAA homopolymer with a high molecular weight. The anion-active polymers proposed as carrier constituents are promising for further studies and designs of carrier constituents of drug derivatives.     

Polyspermine Imidazole-4,5-imine, a Chemically Dynamic and Biologically Responsive Carrier System for Intracellular Delivery of siRNA

Silence please! Polyspermine imidazole-4,5-imine (blue lines) was formed by condensing spermine with bisformaldehyde imidazole through a pH-responsive linkage. This polymer was used to condense siRNAs into nanoparticles and studied for delivery into cells and release from endosomes. Cellular and in?vivo assays indicated that this siRNA carrier was efficient in silencing target genes with negligible cytotoxicity.     

Secondary‐Structure‐Driven Self‐Assembly of Reactive Polypept(o)ides: Controlling Size,Shape, and Function of Core Cross‐Linked Nanostructures

Achieving precise control over the morphology and function of polymeric nanostructures during self‐assembly remains a challenge in materials as well as biomedical science, especially when independent control over particle properties is desired. Herein, we report on nanostructures derived from amphiphilic block copolypept(o)ides by secondary‐structure‐directed self‐assembly, presenting a strategy to adjust core polarity and function separately from particle preparation in a bioreversible manner. The peptide‐inherent process of secondary‐structure formation allows for the synthesis of spherical and worm‐like core‐cross‐linked architectures from the same block copolymer, introducing a simple yet powerful approach to versatile peptide‐based core–shell nanostructures.     

Poly(amidoamine)-based dendrimer/siRNA complexation studied by computer simulations: effects of pH and generation on dendrimer structure and siRNA binding

In this work we report, compare and discuss the results obtained from fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of generations 4, 5, and 6 of PAMAM-based dendrimers having NH(3) and triethanolamine as cores, forming complexes with a short interfering RNA (siRNA) at different pH values and at physiological ionic strength. By employing a detailed analysis we demonstrate how features such as molecular size, structural details, and protonation level of this category of dendrimers affect the dendrimer/siRNA complexation. Properties like the conformational flexibility of the dendrimer, the effective charge distribution of the assembly, and the level of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the two molecular entities are all found to play a significant role in the mutual interactions between the nucleic acid and the hyperbranched molecules. All these features are of key importance in the multifaceted mechanism of dendrimer/gene complexation, and their understanding can provide valuable insight toward the design of more efficient nucleic acid nanocarriers.     

Polypept(o)ides: Hybrid Systems Based on Polypeptides and Polypeptoids

Polypept(o)ides combine the multifunctionality and intrinsic stimuli‐responsiveness of synthetic polypeptides with the “stealth”‐like properties of the polypeptoid polysarcosine (poly(N‐methyl glycine)). This class of block copolymers can be synthesized by sequential ring opening polymerization of α‐amino acid N‐carboxy‐anhydrides (NCAs) and correspondingly of the N‐substituted glycine N‐carboxyanhydride (NNCA). The resulting block copolymers are characterized by Poisson‐like molecular weight distributions, full end group integrity, and dispersities below 1.2. While polysarcosine may be able to tackle the currently arising issues regarding the gold standard PEG, including storage diseases in vivo and immune responses, the polypeptidic block provides the functionalities for a specific task. Additionally, polypeptides are able to form secondary structure motives, e.g., α‐helix or β‐sheets, which can be used to direct self‐assembly in solution. In this feature article, we review the relatively new field of polypept(o)ides with respect to synthesis, characterization, and first data on the application of block copolypept(o)ides in nanomedicine. The summarized data already indicates the great potential of polypept(o)ides.

     

Conjugation of siRNA with Comb‐Type PEG Enhances Serum Stability and Gene Silencing Efficiency

A thiol‐modified siRNA targeting the enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) gene was conjugated with RAFT‐synthesized, pyridyl disulfide‐functional poly(PEG methyl ether acrylate)s (p(PEGA)s). siRNA‐p(PEGA) conjugates demonstrated significantly enhanced in vitro serum stability and nuclease resistance compared to the unmodified and thiol‐modified siRNA. The complexes of siRNA‐p(PEGA) conjugates with a fusogenic peptide, KALA ((+)/(–) = 2) inhibited the protein expression approximately 28‐fold more than the KALA complex of the unmodified siRNA. The protein inhibition caused by siRNA‐p(PEGA)‐KALA complexes (56 ± 5%–58 ± 3% of the fluorescence expressed in non‐treated cells) was comparable to the effect of the unmodified siRNA‐lipofectamine complex (77 ± 7%).

     

Thiocyanate-Selective PVC Membrane Electrode Based on Copper and Nickel Complexes of Para-tolualdehydesemicarbazone as Carrier

Abstract

Copper(Cu) and nickel(Ni) complexes of para-tolualdehydesemicarbazone (pTSC) were used as carrier for an thiocyanate ion–selective electrode. The Ni(II)pTSC demonstrated higher selectivity for thiocyanate ions with better performance than Cu(II)pTSC as carrier. The electrode shows a Nernstian slope of 58.8 ± 0.3 mV decade^?1 with improved linear range of 1 × 10^?2 to 1 × 10^?7 M and a low detection limit of 1.25 × 10^?7 M in the pH range of 3–10, giving a relatively fast response and reversibility within 10 s. The selectivity coefficient was calculated using matched potential method. The electrode worked well for nearly 3 months. The response mechanism is discussed by UV-visible spectroscopic technique. The electrodes were used in potentiometric titration of thiocyanate with silver nitrate. Further, the electrode was successfully applied to determine the thiocyanate content in physiological fluids.     

Modification of polysulfones by click chemistry: Amphiphilic graft copolymers and their protein adsorption and cell adhesion properties

Well‐defined amphiphilic graft copolymer with hydrophobic polysulfone (PSU) backbone and hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) side chains were synthesized and characterized. For this purpose, commercially available PSU was converted to azido‐functionalized polymer (PSU‐N₃) by successive chloromethylation and azidation processes. Independently, poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA) with an alkyne‐end‐group is obtained by using suitable initiator in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Then, this polymer was successfully grafted onto PSU‐N₃ by click chemistry to yield polysulfone‐graft‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate), (PSU‐g‐PtBA). Finally, amphiphilic polysulfone‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid), (PSU‐g‐PAA), membranes were obtained by hydrolyzing precursor the PSU‐g‐PtBA membranes in trifluoroacetic acid. The final polymer and intermediates at various stages were characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR, GPC, and SEM analyses. Protein adsorption and eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell adhesion on PSU‐g‐PAA were studied and compared to those of PSU‐g‐PtBA and unmodified PSU. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Hetero‐difunctional dimers as building blocks for the synthesis of poly(amidoamine)s with hetero‐difunctional chain terminals and their derivatives

This article reports on a simple and straightforward preparation method of poly(amidoamine)s (PAAs) with hetero‐difunctional chain ends as well as of several up to now hardly obtainable PAA derivatives of biotechnological interest, such as for instance PAAs of controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity mono‐functionalized at one end with an acrylamide group, PAAs with star‐like molecular architecture, graft‐PAA‐protein conjugates, “tadpole‐like” PAA conjugates with hydrophobic moieties able to self assemble into nanoparticles in aqueous media. The key step was to design suitable building blocks consisting of hetero‐difunctional dimers (HDDs). In particular, the HDDs considered were the mono‐addition products of bis‐sec‐amines and bisacrylamides expected to give PAAs of proven biomedical potential and were obtained as hydrochlorides or trifluoroacetates. In this form, they could be indefinitely kept dormant at 0–5 °C in the dry state, whereas at room temperature and in aqueous media, they polymerized at pH > 7.5. The preparation of the above‐cited PAA derivatives did not necessarily involve the preliminary synthesis of hetero‐difunctional PAAs but was directly achieved by one‐pot polymerization of HDDs in the presence of the substrates of interest. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Poly(ethylene glycol) in Drug Delivery: Pros and Cons as Well as Potential Alternatives

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is the most used polymer and also the gold standard for stealth polymers in the emerging field of polymer‐based drug delivery. The properties that account for the overwhelming use of PEG in biomedical applications are outlined in this Review. The first approved PEGylated products have already been on the market for 20 years. A vast amount of clinical experience has since been gained with this polymer—not only benefits, but possible side effects and complications have also been found. The areas that might need consideration and more intensive and careful examination can be divided into the following categories: hypersensitivity, unexpected changes in pharmacokinetic behavior, toxic side products, and an antagonism arising from the easy degradation of the polymer under mechanical stress as a result of its ether structure and its non‐biodegradability, as well as the resulting possible accumulation in the body. These possible side effects will be discussed in this Review and alternative polymers will be evaluated.     

Multifunctional ATRP initiators: Synthesis of four‐arm star homopolymers of methyl methacrylate and graft copolymers of polystyrene and poly(t‐butyl methacrylate)

Tetrakis bromomethyl benzene was used as a tetrafunctional initiator in the synthesis of four‐armed star polymers of methyl methacrylate via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with a CuBr/2,2 bipyridine catalytic system and benzene as a solvent. Relatively low polydispersities were achieved, and the experimental molecular weights were in agreement with the theoretical ones. A combination of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl piperidine‐N‐oxyl‐mediated free‐radical polymerization and ATRP was used to synthesize various graft copolymers with polystyrene backbones and poly(t‐butyl methacrylate) grafts. In this case, the backbone was produced with a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl piperidine‐N‐oxyl‐mediated stable free‐radical polymerization process from the copolymerization of styrene and p‐(chloromethyl) styrene. This polychloromethylated polymer was used as an ATRP multifunctional initiator for t‐butyl methacrylate polymerization, giving the desired graft copolymers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 650–655, 2001     

Donor–acceptor‐based poly(toluidine‐co‐chloroaniline)s: Synthesis and characterization

A series of poly(o‐/m‐toluidine‐co‐o‐/m‐chloroaniline) copolymers of different compositions were synthesized by an emulsion method with ammonium persulfate as the oxidant. The conductivity of the copolymers was two to five orders of magnitude higher than that of the homopolymers poly(o‐toluidine) and poly(m‐chloroaniline). Among the copolymers, the copolymer of o‐toluidine and m‐chloroaniline exhibited a maximum conductivity of 0.14 S cm^?1. The conductivity of these copolymers was also higher than that of poly(aniline‐co‐chloroaniline). The properties of the copolymers were greatly influenced by the positions of the substituents and the concentrations of the individual monomers in the feed. All the copolymers were completely soluble in polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and showed higher heat stability as the chloroaniline concentration increased. These effects could be interpreted in terms of extensive hydrogen bonding and interchain linking and, therefore, higher electron delocalization in these copolymers due to the presence of electron‐rich toluidine rings adjacent to electron‐deficient chloroaniline. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1579–1587, 2005     

Kinetic Studies on Star Polymerization of Styrene,MA and MMA Using New Three and Four Arm Chain Transfer Agents (CTAs): The Role of R-Group Structure Present in the CTA on RAFT Polymerization

Polystyrene, poly(methylacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) four and three-arm stars were synthesized by Reversible Addition Fragmentation chain-Transfer (RAFT) polymerization by using two new dithioester-derived chain transfer agents [CTA or R-S-(C = S)Z]), CTA-1 and CTA-2. CTA-1 is a four arm CTA while CTA-2 is a three-arm CTA. These were easily synthesized from commercially available reagents and were characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR and mass spectrometry. It is demonstrated that the two new CTAs enable the growth of arms away from the core (i.e., core first approach). An attempt has been made to study the effect of the structure of the R-group, which is present as the core in the CTA, on the polymerization, by analyzing the detailed kinetics. This study suggests that CTA-2, with a benzylic R group, enables the controlled star polymerization of styrene while CTA-1, with a R group similar in structure to the propagating radical derived from the polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA), enables the controlled polymerization of MA although to a lesser extent. This study also reveals that the temperature of free radical initiated RAFT (star) polymerization should be chosen in such a way that it is a compromise between reasonable rate of homolysis of the initiator and the CTA (R-group).     

Influence of fluorinated substituent and terminal length on phase behavior of mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystalline polymers with a biphenyl mesogen

A series of mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystalline polymers, poly{2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl 4′‐hydroxy‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐carboxylate} (PF3Cm, where m is the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy groups, and m = 1, 4, 6, and 8), the side chain of which contains a biphenyl core with a fluorocarbon substituent at one end and an alkoxy unit of varying length on the other end, were designed and successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. For comparison, poly{butyl 4′‐hydroxy‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐carboxylate} (PC4Cm), similar to PF3Cm but with a butyl group instead of the fluorocarbon substituent, was also prepared. Differential scanning calorimetric results reveal that the glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of the two series of polymers decrease as m increases and T_gs of the fluorocarbon‐substituted polymers are higher than those of the corresponding butyl‐substituted polymers. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements show that the mesophase structures of these polymers are dependent on the number of the carbon atoms in the fluorocarbon substituent and the property of the other terminal substituent. Polymers with fluorocarbon substituents enter into columnar nematic phases when m ≥ 4, whereas the polymer PF3C1 exhibits no liquid crystallinity. For polymers with butyl substituents, columnar nematic phases form when the number of carbon atoms at both ends of the side chain is not equal at high temperatures and disappear after the polymers are cooled to ambient temperature. However, when the polymer has the same number of carbon atoms at both ends of the side chain, a hexagonal columnar phase develops, and this phase remains after the polymer is cooled. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013