Micellization and gelation of the double thermoresponsive ABC-type triblock copolymer synthesized by RAFT

A double thermoresponsive ABC-type triblock copolymer(poly(ethyleneglycol)-block-poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-(2-methoxy ethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, PEG-b-PMEO_2MA-b-P(MEO_2MA-co-OEGMA)) was designed and synthesized by reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer polymerization(RAFT). The ABC-type triblock copolymer endowed a thermal-induced twostep phase transition at 29 and 39 °C, corresponding to the thermosensitive properties of PMEO_2 MA and P(MEO_2MA-coOEGMA) segments, respectively. The two-step self-assembly of copolymer solutions was studied by UV transmittance measurement, dynamic light scattering(DLS), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and so on. The triblock copolymers showed the distinct thermosensitive behavior with respect to transition temperatures, aggregate type and size, which was correlated to the degree of polymerization of thermosensitive blocks and the molar fraction of OEGMA in the P(MEO_2MAco-OEGMA) segments. In addition, micelles could further aggregate to form the hydrogel by the self-associate of PEG chains under the abduction of the concentration and temperature. The transition from sol to gel was investigated by a test tube inverting method and dynamic rheological measurement.     

Synthesis and self-assembly behavior of thermoresponsive poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-POSS with tunable lower critical solution temperature

This article reports on the synthesis of a novel amphiphilic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) end-capped poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate)-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POSS-P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA)). These thermoresponsive organic–inorganic hybrid polymers exhibit critical phase transition temperature in water, which can be finely tuned by changing the feed ratio of OEGMA and MEO₂MA. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of POSS-P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) increases from 31 to 59 °C with the increasing of OEGMA content. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies show that these polymers can self-assemble into spherical micelles with the thermosensitive block into the corona and the POSS forming the core, and larger aggregates are formed when the temperature values are above their LCSTs. These thermoresponsive polymers POSS-P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) with self-assembly behavior and tunable tempetature-responsive property have the potential applications in material science and biotechnology.     

Combination of living anionic polymerization and ATRP via ��click�� chemistry as a versatile route to multiple responsive triblock terpolymers and corresponding hydrogels

A combination of anionic polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ??click?? chemistry was used to construct trishydrophilic ABC triblock terpolymers composed of a pH-sensitive A block, a water-soluble B block and two different thermo-sensitive C blocks without any block sequence limitation problems. First, an azido end-functionalized poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-b-PEO-N₃) diblock copolymer was synthesized by anionic polymerization. In a second step, poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEGMA) were synthesized via ATRP using an alkyne functionalized initiator. The resulting polymers were attached to the P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymer using the 1,3-dipolar Huisgen cycloaddition (??click?? chemistry). For the ??click?? step, P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymers with either an azidoacetyl or a 2-azidoisobutyryl group were tested. In the latter case, however, a side reaction involving the cleavage of the formed ??click?? product via nucleophilic substitution occurred, preventing a permanent attachment of PDMAEMA or POEGMA to the P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymer. Finally, P2VP-b-PEO-b-POEGMA (with POEGMA=P(MEO₂MA-co-MEO_8.5MA)) and P2VP-b-PEO-b-PDMAEMA triblock terpolymers were successfully synthesized and used to construct stimuli-responsive hydrogels. A concentrated solution of P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-P[(MEO₂MA)₈₉-co-(MEO_8.5MA)₇] showed a gel?Csol?Cgel transition at pH?7 upon temperature increase, whereas in the case of P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-PDMAEMA₇₀, a gel?Csol or a weak gel?Cstrong gel transition was observed, depending on the applied pH. Finally, the addition of trivalent hexacyanocobaltate(III) ions to the P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-PDMAEMA₇₀ solution induced an upper critical solution temperature for the PDMAEMA block, which led to gel formation. This allows for the construction of light-sensitive hydrogels, utilizing the photo-aquation of hexacyanocobaltate(III) ions.     

ABA triblock copolymers with pendant hydroxyl groups prepared by controlled cationic polymerization and their use as delivery carrier for paclitaxel

To improve the hydrophilicity of poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS), this study focuses on the synthesis of novel functional ABA triblock copolymer thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with polyisobutylene (PIB) as rubbery segments. The precursor poly{(styrene-co-4-[2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy) ethyl]styrene)-b-isobutylene-b-(styrene-co-4-[2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)ethyl]styrene)}(P(St-co-TBDMES)-PIB-P(St-co-TBDMES)) triblock copolymer was first synthesized by living sequential cationic copolymerization of isobutylene (IB) with styrene (St) and 4-[2-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy) ethyl]styrene (TBDMES) using 1,4-di(2-chloro-2-propyl)benzene (DiCumCl)/titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄)/2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DtBP) as the initiating system. Then, P(St-co-TBDMES)-PIB-P(St-co-TBDMES) was hydrolyzed in the presence of tetra-butylammonium fluoride to yield poly{[styrene-co-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)styrene]-bisobutylene-b-[styrene-co-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)styrene]} (P(St-co-HOES)-PIB-P(St-co-HOES)) with pendant hydroxyl groups. P(St-co-HOES)-PIB-P(St-co-HOES) used as the paclitaxel carrier was also investigated in this study. Comparing with SIBS, P(St-co-HOES)-PIB-P(St-co-HOES) has exhibited better compatibility with paclitaxel and higher release rate.     

Synthesis and micellization of thermoresponsive galactose‐based diblock copolymers

Thermoresponsive double hydrophilic diblock copolymers poly(2‐(2′‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate‐co‐oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate)‐b‐poly(6‐O‐methacryloyl‐D ‐galactopyranose) (P(MEO₂MA‐co‐OEGMA)‐b‐PMAGP) with various compositions and molecular weights were obtained by deprotection of amphiphilic diblock copolymers P(MEO₂MA‐co‐OEGMA)‐b‐poly(6‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:3,4‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐galactopyranose) (P(MEO₂MA‐co‐OEGMA)‐b‐PMAlpGP), which were prepared via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using P(MEO₂MA‐co‐OEGMA) as macro‐RAFT agent. Dynamic light scattering and UV–vis studies showed that the micelles self‐assembled from P(MEO₂MA‐co‐OEGMA)‐b‐PMAlpGP were thermoresponsive. A hydrophobic dye Nile Red could be encapsulated by block copolymers P(MEO₂MA‐co‐OEGMA)‐b‐PMAGP upon micellization and released upon dissociation of the formed micelles under different temperatures. The galactose functional groups in the PMAGP block have specific interaction with HepG2 cells, and P(MEO₂MA‐co‐OEGMA)‐b‐PMAGP has potential applications in hepatoma‐targeting drug delivery and biodetection. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Organostibine mediated controlled/living random copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

The first example of organostibine mediated controlled/living random copolymerization of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was achieved by heating a solution of St/MMA/organostibine mediator at 100 °C or St/MMA/organostibine mediator/AIBN with various monomer feed ratios at 60 °C. The addition of AIBN significantly decreased the reaction temperature and enhanced the rate of copolymerization. The structure of poly(St-co-MMA) was verified by ¹H NMR. The reactivity ratios at 60 °C were determined by the extended Kelen-Tüd?s method to be γ_St = 0.40 and γ_MMA = 0.44. The ln([M]₀/[M]) increased linearly with increasing reaction time. The number-average molecular weights of poly(St-co-MMA) increased linearly with conversion. Poly(St-co-MMA) with expected number-average molecular weight and low polydispersity index was formed. The living characteristic was further confirmed by chain-extension of poly(St-co-MMA) to form poly(St-co-MMA)-b-PMMA.     

Polymorph‐Dependent Solid‐State Fluorescence and Selective Metal‐Ion‐Sensor Properties of 2‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone

2‐(2‐Hydroxy‐phenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone (HPQ), an organic fluorescent material that exhibits fluorescence by the excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer (ESIPT) mechanism, forms two different polymorphs in tetrahydrofuran. The conformational twist between the phenyl and quinazolinone rings of HPQ leads to different molecular packing in the solid state, giving structures that show solid‐state fluorescence at 497 and 511 nm. HPQ also shows intense fluorescence in dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution and selectively detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions at micromolar concentrations in DMF. Importantly, HPQ not only detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions selectively, but it also distinguishes between the metal ions with a fluorescence λ_max that is blue‐shifted from 497 to 420 and 426 nm for Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions, respectively. Hence, tunable solid‐state fluorescence and selective metal‐ion‐sensor properties were demonstrated in a single organic material.     

A highly selective ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Zn2+ ion based on a polyimine macrocycle

A new ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor based on a polyimine macrocycle ligand 1 has been synthesized. The chemosensor can exhibit a pronounced fluorescence response and high selectivity to Zn²⁺ ion over other 15 metal ions, including Cd²⁺. Sensor 1 appears an emission peak at 370 nm. Upon the addition of Zn²⁺ ion, the typical emission peak for 1 at 370 nm is obviously quenched, but a new emission peak at around 470 nm appears and shows a large enhancement due to the formation of a 1:1 Zn²⁺-1 complex. In addition, there is a good linear relationship between the fluorescence ratio I_470nm/I_370nm and the concentration of Zn²⁺, which makes a ratiometric assay of Zn²⁺ ion possible.     

Molecular fluorescent probe for Zn based on 2-(2-nitrostyryl)-8-methoxyquinoline

A fluorescent Zn²⁺ sensor based on the 2-(2-nitrostyryl)-8-methoxyquinoline (2-nitroSQ) has been designed, synthesized, and characterized by various spectral techniques. The designed fluorophore displays high selectivity, sensitive fluorescence enhancement (13-fold), and strong binding affinity toward Zn²⁺ among the various biologically significant metal ions examined in ACN-H₂O (9:1, v/v).     

A quinoline-based selective ‘turn on’ chemosensor for zinc(II) via quad-core complex,and its application in live cell imaging

An efficient quinoline-based fluorescent chemosensor (QLNPY) was successfully developed for the detection of zinc ions (Zn²⁺). This novel chemosensor displayed higher sensitivity and selectivity toward Zn²⁺ over other competitive metal ions accompanying with obvious fluorescence enhancement. The QLNPY-Zn²⁺ complex can be further used as a new fluorescent “turn-off” sensor for pyrophosphate (PPi) and sulfur ion (S^2?) via a Zn²⁺ displacement approach. The limits of detection were calculated to be 3.8 × 10^?8 M for Zn²⁺, 3.7 × 10^?7 M for PPi and 4.9 × 10^?7 M for S^2?. The binding mechanism of QLNPY and Zn²⁺ was investigated through NMR, HR-MS analysis and further studied by crystallographic analysis. Additionally, further application of QLNPY for sequential bioimaging of Zn²⁺ and PPi was studied in HepG2 cells, suggesting that the quinoline-based chemosensor possesses great potential applications for the detection of intracellular Zn²⁺ and PPi in vivo.     

Simple imine linked colorimetric and fluorescent receptor for sensing Zn ions in aqueous medium based on inhibition of ESIPT mechanism

Herein, we report the highly selective binding of Zn²⁺ ion by the salicylaldimine based Schiff base chromogenic receptor 1 [(N,N′-bis (salicylidine)-o-phenylenediamine]. Receptor 1 senses Zn²⁺ ion in aqueous medium by colorimetric and fluorescent response in the presence of other metal ions like Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Sn²⁺, Cd²⁺. Receptor 1 on binding with Zn²⁺ ion exhibits fluorescence enhancement which is due to the inhibition of the (ESIPT) mechanism.     

Three different fluorescent responses to transition metal ions using receptors based on 1,2-bis- and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene

The dipod 1,2-bis(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene (3) and tetrapod 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene (5) have been synthesized through nucleophilic substitution of respective 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)benzene (2) and 1,2,4,5-tetra(bromomethyl)benzene (4) with 8-hydroxyquinoline (1). For comparison, 1,3,5-tris(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene derivatives (7a and 7b) have been obtained. The complexation behavior of these podands towards Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ metal ions has been investigated in acetonitrile by fluorescence spectroscopy. The sterically crowded 1,2,4,5-tetrapod 5 displays unique fluorescence ‘ON-OFF-ON’ switching through fluorescence quenching (λ_max 395 nm, switch OFF) with <1.0 equiv of Ag⁺ and fluorescence enhancement (λ_max 495 nm, switch ON) with >3 equiv Ag⁺ and can be used for estimation of two different concentrations of Ag⁺ at two different wavelengths. The addition of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ metal ions to tetrapod 5 causes fluorescence quenching, i.e., ‘ON-OFF’ phenomena at λ_max 395 nm for <10 μM (1 equiv) of these ions but addition of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ to tetrapod 5 results in fluorescence enhancement with a gradual shift of λ_em from 395 to 432 and 418 nm, respectively. Similarly, dipod 3 behaves as an ‘ON-OFF-ON’ switch with Ag⁺, an ‘ON-OFF’ switch with Cu²⁺, and an ‘OFF-ON’ switch with Zn²⁺. The placement of quinolinoxymethyl groups at the 1,3,5-positions of benzene ring in tripod 7a-b leads to simultaneous fluorescence quenching at λ_max 380 nm and enhancement at λ_max 490 nm with both Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺. This behavior is in parallel with 8-methoxyquinoline 8. The rationalization of these results in terms of metal ion coordination and protonation of podands shows that 1,2 placement of quinoline units in tetrapod 5 and dipod 3 causes three different fluorescent responses, i.e., ‘ON-OFF-ON’, ‘ON-OFF’, and ‘OFF-ON’ due to metal ion coordination of different transition metal ions and 1, 3, and 5 placement of three quinolines in tripod 7, the protonation of quinolines is preferred over metal ion coordination. In general, the greater number of quinoline units coordinated per metal ion in 5 compared with the other podands points to organization of the four quinoline moieties around metal ions in the case of 5.     

Turn-on fluorescent probe for Zn2+ ions based on thiazolidine derivative

In this study, simple on–off fluorescent/UV–visible (UV–Vis) probes were easily prepared using 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid ( Sen-1 ) and/or 2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid ( Sen-2 ) for fast detection of Zn²⁺ ions. Their sensing properties towards common metal ions were investigated using UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Sen-1 and Sen-2 displayed a significant change with the addition of Zn²⁺ ions in the UV–Vis spectra. The addition of Zn²⁺ ions induced a 104 nm bathochromic shift for Sen-1 . The binding ratio towards Zn²⁺ metal ions was determined to be 1:1 by using Job plot analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The association constant and free energy (ΔG) of Sen-1 and Sen-2 towards Zn²⁺ ions were calculated by the Benesi–Hildebrand equation. The limit of detection of Sen-1 towards Zn²⁺ ions is 3.73 × 10⁻⁸ M, which is about 1/100 of the value recommended by the World Health Organization for drinking water. Sen-1 was successfully applied to detect Zn²⁺ ions in water samples and the fluorescence test strip was prepared for visual detection of Zn²⁺ ions. Finally, the quantum chemical parameters of Sen-1 and Sen-2 , such as highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and chemical hardness, were investigated by the Becke, three-parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr, Hartree–Fock, and M062x methods.     

Ratiometric fluorescent Zn chemosensor constructed by appending a pair of carboxamidoquinoline on 1,2-diaminocyclohexane scaffold

By appending a pair of carboxamidoquinoline pendants onto 1,2-diaminocyclohexane scaffold via N-alkylation, multifunctionalized ACAQ was designed and synthesized as a water soluble fluorescent ratiometric chemosensor for Zn²⁺. In 50% aqueous methanol buffer pH 7.4 solution, upon excitation at 316 nm, ACAQ (5 μM) displayed a selective ratiometric fluorescence changes with a shift from 410 to 490 nm in response to the interaction with Zn²⁺. After binding with 1 equiv of Zn²⁺, ACAQ exhibited a 12-fold enhancement in I₄₉₀/I₄₁₀ characterized by a clear isoemissive point at 440 nm. The metal sensor binding mode was established by Job’s plot and the combined fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopic method. The selectivity of the probe toward biological relevant cations and transition metal ions was proven to be good. In addition, the interference caused by Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the quantitation of Zn²⁺ can be completely eliminated by the use of diethyldithiocarbamate as the screening agent. Exploitation of ACAQ as the sensing probe, ratiometric determination of Zn²⁺ with the limit of detection (LOD) at 28.3 nm can be realized. In addition, the unique responsive properties of the probe toward Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ were used to construct a fluorescent switch. The membrane permeability of ACAQ to living cells and bio-imaging of Zn²⁺ were demonstrated.     

A bifunctional probe for Al3+ and Zn2+ based on diarylethene with an ethylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-6-hydrazide unit

A new diarylethene with ethylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-6-hydrazide unit was synthesized, and its photochromic and fluorescent behaviors have been systematically investigated by the stimulation of lights and metal ions in methanol. This new diarylethene exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺. The addition of Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ displayed excellent colorimetric response behaviour with the concomitant color change from colorless to yellow, which could be easily observed by the naked eye. Upon addition of Al³⁺, the fluorescence intensity was enhanced by 180–fold and the emission peak of 1O–Al³⁺ blue-shifted by 15?nm accompanied with a color change from colorless to bright blue. In contrast, when stimulated with Zn²⁺, its fluorescence intensity was enhanced by 35–fold and the emission peak of 1O–Zn²⁺ red-shifted by 16?nm with an evident color change from black to bright green. The LOD for Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ were determined to be 2.97?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1 and 5.98?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1, respectively. Moreover, a logic circuit was constructed with the fluorescence intensity as the output signal responding to the light and chemical species as the inputs.     

pH-responsive star-shaped functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) with amino groups

Functional star-shaped 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly[(ε-caprolactone-co-γ-amino-ε-caprolactone)] (4-arm PEG-b-P(CL-co-ACL) was synthesized through ring-opening polymerization. The structure of the copolymer was confirmed by ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). To further understand the copolymers, the difference of the conversion rate between ε-caprolactone (CL) and γ-(carbamic acid benzyl ester)-ε-caprolactone (CABCL) and the detailed deprotection condition were studied. The thermal property of the copolymer was analyzed by WAXR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which demonstrated that the thermal property could be well adjusted. The pH-responsive behavior of the copolymers was studied in detail by dynamic light scattering (DLS), pH titration, and pyrene fluorescence methods, which indicated that it could form micelles and exhibit pH responsibility. Moreover, the copolymer was nontoxic and had good biocompatibility according to the results by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay.     

Exploiting the deprotonation mechanism for the design of ratiometric and colorimetric Zn fluorescent chemosensor with a large red-shift in emission

The design, synthesis, and photophysical evaluation of a new naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor, N-butyl-4-[di-(2-picolyl)amino]-5-(2-picolyl)amino-1,8-naphthalimide (1), were described for the detection of Zn²⁺ in aqueous acetonitrile solution at pH 7.0. Probe 1 showed absorption at 451 nm and a strong fluorescence emission at 537 nm (Φ_F=0.33). The capture of Zn²⁺ by the receptor resulted in the deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to 1,8-naphthalimide so that the electron-donating ability of the N atom would be greatly enhanced; thus probe 1 showed a 56 nm red-shift in absorption (507 nm) and fluorescence spectra (593 nm, Φ_F=0.14), respectively, from which one could sense Zn²⁺ ratiometrically and colorimetrically. The deprotonated complex, [(1-H)/Zn]⁺, was calculated at m/z 619.1800 and measured at m/z 618.9890. In contrast to these results, the emission of 1 was thoroughly quenched by Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺. The addition of other metal ions such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ produced a nominal change in the optical properties of 1 due to their low affinity to probe 1. This means that probe 1 has a very high fluorescent imaging selectivity to Zn²⁺ among metal ions.     

Naphthalimide-based fluorescent Zn chemosensors showing PET effect according to their linker length in water

We have developed naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensors that exhibit fluorescence enhancement upon binding Zn²⁺ ion in 10 mM HEPES buffer (pH 7.4) at 25 °C. The fluorescence enhancement was induced by a PET inhibition process in which electron transfer from the nitrogen lone pair electrons of the Dpa unit to naphthalimide was blocked upon the binding of the sensor to Zn²⁺. The longer the linker length (n = 1-3) of the sensor, the less the PET efficiency becomes. Among the sensors (1, 2, and 3) examined, 1 shows the highest selectivity and sensitivity for Zn²⁺ over other transition metal ions and alkali metal ions in water.     

Self-Amplified Photodynamic Therapy through the 1O2-Mediated Internalization of Photosensitizers from a Ppa-Bearing Block Copolymer

Nanocarriers are employed to deliver photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) through the enhanced penetration and retention effect, but disadvantages including the premature leakage and non-selective release of photosensitizers still exist. Herein, we report a ¹O₂-responsive block copolymer (POEGMA-b-P(MAA-co-VSPpaMA) to enhance PDT via the controllable release of photosensitizers. Once nanoparticles formed by the block copolymer have accumulated in a tumor and have been taken up by cancer cells, pyropheophorbide a (Ppa) could be controllably released by singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generated by light irradiation, enhancing the photosensitization. This was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy and in vivo fluorescence imaging. The ¹O₂-responsiveness of POEGMA-b-P(MAA-co-VSPpaMA) block copolymer enabled the realization of self-amplified photodynamic therapy by the regulation of Ppa release using NIR illumination. This may provide a new insight into the design of precise PDT.     

Interaction of angiotensin peptides and zinc metal ions probed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry experiments were used to provide evidence regarding the sites of interactions between zinc metal ions and angiotensin peptides. The electrospray ionization mass spectra of histidine-containing human angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) and angiotensin I (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu) in the presence of zinc show abundant multiply charged ions for the zinc-attached peptide [M + aZn²⁺ +(c ? 2a)H⁺]^c+, where a = 1, 2 and c is charge. From collisionally activated dissociation experiments, with both low energy (triple quadrupole mass spectrometry) and high energy collisions (linked scan at constant B/E with a double focusing instrument) of the [M + Zn]²⁺ and [M + Zn + H]³⁺ ions for angiotensin II, a [b ₆ + Zn]²⁺ species is produced as the most abundant product ion, suggesting that the zinc interaction site is in the vicinity of the His⁶ residue. Additionally, tandem mass spectra from the zinc-attached ions for angiotensin I show abundant [b ₆ + Zn]²⁺ and [b ₉ + Zn]²⁺ products, providing evidence that both His⁶ and His⁹ are involved in zinc coordination.