Determination of Aggregation Parameters of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Bromide from Probe Absorption

The mean aggregation number (n) and the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of reverse micelles formed by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide have been determined by means of an optical absorption probe (acridine orange). The procedure to obtain these quantities from absorption spectrophotometric measurements is described. The CMC and mean aggregation number are in satisfactory agreement with published results obtained from more sophisticated methods.     

Size of Micelles Determined by Static Fluorescence Quenching

We developed a new method to measure the average aggregation number of large rod-like micelles using static fluorescence self-quenching of a solubilized fluorophore. The method is based on the increase of self-quenching of micelle-solubilized pyrene through excimer formation. We consider the effect of random distribution of pyrene in micelles and the micellar size distribution. The measured average aggregation <n> _M is based on a new M-weighted raging similar to our exponential-weighted averaging in the transient decay method. We apply this method to study the effect of a large concentration of salt on the average aggregation behavior of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyle tetraammonium bromide (CTAB). The sizes increase with increasing ionic concentrations. For SDS, we used the thermodynamic model developed by Missel et al. to calculate < n > _M which we compare with experimental results.     

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.     

ABC三嵌段共聚物胶束从多间隔结构到多核结构转变的Monte Carlo模拟

采用Monte Carlo模拟方法研究了疏水-亲水-疏水(H-P-H)型ABC三嵌段共聚物在B嵌段的选择性溶剂中的自组装行为. 模拟结果表明, 通过调节A嵌段和C嵌段的疏水性和二者之间的不相容性, 体系中可以形成多种形貌各异的胶束. 根据胶束中疏水核结构的特点, 这些胶束大体上可以被分为多核型胶束和多间隔型胶束两种类型. 通过增强疏水嵌段的疏水性或降低A嵌段和C嵌段间的不相容性, H-P-H型ABC三嵌段共聚物胶束能够发生从多核型胶束向多间隔型胶束的转变. 进一步分析胶束中聚合物的链构象等微观结构信息发现, A嵌段和C嵌段间的排斥作用和疏水作用之间存在竞争关系, 而这种竞争关系是影响体系中形成多核型胶束还是多间隔型胶束的决定性因素.     

Poly(β-cyclodextrin)-mediated Polylactide-cholesterol Stereocomplex Micelles for Controlled Drug Delivery

A series of host-guest interaction-adjusted polylactide stereocomplex micelles was prepared via the self-assembly of 4-armed poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lactide/D-lactide)-cholesterol(4-armed PEG-b-PLLA/PDLA-CHOL) and poly(β-cyclodextrin)(PCD) with the molar ratios of CHOL/β-CD at 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2 in an aqueous environment. The hydrodynamic diameters of the micelles ranged from 84.1 nm to 107 nm depending on the molar ratio of CHOL/β-CD. It was shown that the micelle with the largest proportion of PCD possessed excellent abilities in drug release, cell internalization as well as proliferation inhibitory effect toward human A549 lung cancer cells. The results demonstrated that the stereocomplex and host-guest interactions-mediated PLA micelles exhibited great potential in sustained drug delivery.     

Block copolymer micelles with enzyme molecules at the interfaces

This research provides an efficient method for the fabrication of hybrid micelles with enzyme molecules at the interfaces. Amphiphilic block copolymer is synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and thiol‐modified porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL‐SH) is obtained by treatment of native PPL with Traut's reagent. PPL‐SH is conjugated to the block copolymer chains by thiol‐disulfide exchange reaction. In phosphate buffered saline, the bioconjugate self‐assembles into micelles with enzyme molecules at the interfaces between hydrophobic cores and hydrophilic coronae. The bioactivity of the enzyme molecules on the micelles are compared with the native enzyme. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2047–2052     

RAFT synthesis of an amphiphilic block copolymer bearing chlorin rings in the hydrophobic segment and its application in photodynamic therapy

RAFT polymerization of styrene (St) in the presence of 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (TFPP) was conducted using 4‐cyano‐4‐(thiobenzoyl)thiopentanoic acid as a chain‐transfer agent and azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator at 60 °C. The resulting polymer exhibited a chlorin‐like UV‐vis spectrum, which indicated that the polymer possessed a reduced TFPP structure. Furthermore, an SEC trace recorded using UV‐vis detector (λ = 410 nm), which selectively detected the TFPP‐incorporated polymer, shifted toward higher molecular mass as the polymerization progressed. This evidence indicated that TFPP acted as a vinylene‐type monomer, such as maleimide, to form a copolymer, namely, poly(St‐co‐TFPP). The mole fraction of TFPP units was estimated to be 0.74 × 10^?3, which was close to that in the feed (1 × 10^?3). Chain extension of poly(St‐co‐TFPP) with polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate (PEGA) was performed to afford the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(St‐co‐TFPP)‐b‐poly(PEGA). The degrees of polymerization of St and PEGA were determined to be 64 and 75, respectively. Poly(St‐co‐TFPP)‐b‐poly(PEGA) formed micelles following dialysis. The median diameter of the micelles in solution was determined to be 16 nm by DLS. The photocytotoxicity of the micelle solution was evaluated in a human glioblastoma cell line (U251) and an N‐methyl‐N'‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine‐induced mutant of a rat murine RGM‐1 gastric carcinoma mucosal cell line (RGK‐1). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 3395–3403     

Sensitivity enhancing injection from a sample reservoir and channel interface in microchip electrophoresis

The stacking of a cationic analyte (i.e., rhodamine B) at the interface between a sample reservoir and channel in a microchip electrophoresis device is described for the first time. Stacking at negative polarity was by micelle to solvent stacking where the dye was prepared in a micellar solution (5 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate in 25 mM phosphoric acid, pH 2.5) and the channel was filled with high methanol content background solution (70% methanol in 50 mM phosphoric acid, pH 2.5). The injection of the stacked dye into the channel was by simple reversal of the voltage polarity with the sample solution and background solution at the anodic and cathodic reservoirs of the straight channel, respectively. The enrichment of rhodamine B at the interface and injection of the stacked dye into the channel was clearly visualized using an inverted fluorescence microscope. A notable sensitivity enhancement factor of up to 150 was achieved after 2 min at 1 kV of micelle to solvent stacking. The proposed technique will be useful as a concentration step for analyte mixtures in simple and classical cross‐channel microchip electrophoresis devices or for the controlled delivery of enriched reagents or analytes as narrow plugs in advanced microchip electrophoresis devices.     

Micelle formation of ethoxylated nonyl-phenols in aqueous solutions

The micelle formation of nonyl-phenols with various numbers of ethoxy groups (n _EO=10–40) was investigated in aqueous solutions and the study was focussed on the effect of temperature (293–323 K), the chain length and the inorganic electrolyte (NaCl) on the critical micelle concentration (c.m.c).The c.m.c. was determined by surface tension and interfacial tension measurements in a water/n-octane system. On the basis of the actual c.m.c. and its temperature dependence the thermodynamic functions of micelle formation (H° _m,S°_m,G°_m) were also calculated. The latter study comprised the determination of the thermodynamic function for unity ethoxy groups ((Y° _m)) as a function ofn _EO.According to the experimental results the micellar solutions are the more stable, the smaller the number of ethoxy groups in the tenside molecule and the higher the temperature as well as the electrolyte content of the system.     

反胶束模板制备聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/无机纳米粒子/石墨纳米复合材料及其表征

以甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)和三氯甲烷(CHCl₃)为油相制备反胶束微乳液, 依靠表面活性剂十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)自组装形成的“微反应器”作为模板成功地制备了PMMA/Eu(OH)₃/EG和PMMA/Ni(OH)₂/EG纳米复合材料. 并用红外光谱(IR)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和差热-热重(TG-DTA)对该复合材料进行了表征和分析. 研究结果表明, 反胶束法可以有效地应用于有机-无机纳米复合材料的制备.