DOI

The self-assembly of amphiphilic block-copolymers is a convenient way to obtain soft nanomaterials of different morphology and scale. In turn, the use of a biomimetic approach makes it possible to synthesize polymers with fragments similar to natural macromolecules but more resistant to biodegradation. In this study, we synthesized the novel bio-inspired amphiphilic block-copolymers consisting of poly(N-methacrylamido-D-glucose) or poly(N-vinyl succinamic acid) as a hydrophilic fragment and poly(O-cholesteryl methacrylate) as a hydrophobic fragment. Block-copolymers were synthesized by radical addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization using dithiobenzoate or trithiocarbonate chain-transfer agent depending on the first monomer, further forming the hydrophilic block. Both homopolymers and copolymers were characterized by1 H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained copolymers had low dispersity (1.05–1.37) and molecular weights in the range of ~13,000–32,000. The amphiphilic copolymers demonstrated enhanced thermal stability in comparison with hydrophilic precursors. According to dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis, the obtained amphiphilic copolymers were able to self-assemble in aqueous media into nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 200 nm. An investigation of nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy revealed their spherical shape. The obtained nanoparticles did not demonstrate cytotoxicity against human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells, and they were characterized by a low uptake by macrophages in vitro. Paclitaxel loaded into the developed polymer nanoparticles retained biological activity against lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549).

Original languageEnglish
Article number11457
Number of pages23
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume22
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 Oct 2021

    Research areas

  • Amphiphilic copolymers, Bio-inspired copolymers, Block-copolymers, Controlled radical polymerization, Drug delivery systems, Paclitaxel delivery, Polymer nanoparticles, drug delivery systems, DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS, POLYMERS, polymer nanoparticles, TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS, VESICLES, BUTYL ACRYLATE, controlled radical polymerization, QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS, bio-inspired copolymers, block-copolymers, CHAIN-TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION, amphiphilic copolymers, GLYCOPOLYMERS, RADICAL POLYMERIZATION, RAFT, paclitaxel delivery

    Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Spectroscopy
  • Catalysis
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

ID: 87862053