Cell internalizable and intracellularly degradable cationic polyurethane micelles as a potential platform for efficient imaging and drug delivery

Biomacromolecules. 2014 Aug 11;15(8):2896-906. doi: 10.1021/bm500506v. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

Abstract

A cell internalizable and intracellularly degradable micellar system, assembled from multiblock polyurethanes bearing cell-penetrating gemini quaternary ammonium pendent groups in the side chain and redox-responsive disulfide linkages throughout the backbone, was developed for potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and drug delivery. The nanocarrier is featured as a typical "cleavable core-internalizable shell-protective corona" architecture, which exhibits small size, positive surface charge, high loading capacity, and reduction-triggered destabilization. Furthermore, it can rapidly enter tumor cells and release its cargo in response to an intracellular level of glutathione, resulting in enhanced drug efficacy in vitro. The magnetic micelles loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles demonstrate excellent MRI contrast enhancement, with T2 relaxivity found to be affected by the morphology of SPIO-clustering inside the micelle core. The multifunctional carrier with good cytocompatibility and nontoxic degradation products can serve as a promising theranostic candidate for efficient intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs and real-time monitoring of therapeutic effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Contrast Media* / chemistry
  • Contrast Media* / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers* / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers* / pharmacology
  • Ferric Compounds* / chemistry
  • Ferric Compounds* / pharmacology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Micelles*
  • Polyurethanes* / chemistry
  • Polyurethanes* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Contrast Media
  • Drug Carriers
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Micelles
  • Polyurethanes
  • ferric oxide