Small but powerful: co-assembly of polyether-based triblock terpolymers into sub-30 nm micelles and synergistic effects on cellular interactions

Biomacromolecules. 2014 Jul 14;15(7):2426-39. doi: 10.1021/bm5002894. Epub 2014 Jun 13.

Abstract

We introduce a versatile ABC triblock terpoly- mer platform based on poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(allyl glycidyl ether)-block-poly(tert-butyl glycidyl ether) (PEO-b-PAGE-b-PtBGE) and subsequent functionalization of the PAGE segment with thiogalactose (hydroxyl), cysteamine (amino), and 2-mercaptopropionic acid (carboxy) by thiol-ene chemistry. These materials are used to prepare core-shell-corona micelles with a PtBGE core, a PAGE shell, and a PEO corona and sizes below 30 nm in aqueous media. We investigate the influence of different functional groups on micelle formation and cellular uptake. Moreover, co-assembly of differently functionalized materials allows to create micelles with a mixed shell and adjustable charge and, in that way, important characteristics such as cell uptake or cytotoxicity can be controlled. Furthermore, we demonstrate that even the uptake mechanism depends on the substitution pattern of the underlying triblock terpolymer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Epoxy Compounds / chemistry
  • Epoxy Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mice
  • Micelles*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / pharmacokinetics
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Water

Substances

  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Micelles
  • Polymers
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Water
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • tert-butyl glycidyl ether
  • allyl glycidyl ether
  • thiolactic acid