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Uniform mPEG‐ b ‐PMETAC enables pH‐responsive delivery of insulin
Author(s) -
Li Zongjun,
Zhang Yifei,
Lu Diannan,
Liu Zheng
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.42596
Subject(s) - copolymer , cationic polymerization , circular dichroism , ionic strength , insulin , atom transfer radical polymerization , polyelectrolyte , polymer , chemistry , polymerization , trypsin , ionic bonding , polymer chemistry , materials science , chemical engineering , crystallography , organic chemistry , aqueous solution , ion , enzyme , medicine , engineering , endocrinology
A cationic block copolymer (mPEG‐ b ‐PMETAC) with uniform molecular weight was synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization. Insulin was reversibly encapsulated by mPEG‐ b ‐PMETAC via electrostatic interaction. The secondary and tertiary structures of insulin during the assembly and delivery processes were monitored by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectrum. The effects of pH and salt concentration on encapsulation were examined, respectively. Enhanced stability of the encapsulated insulin against proteolysis by trypsin and chymotrypsin was demonstrated. Insulin can be encapsulated and delivered from an mPEG‐ b ‐PMETAC assembly by tuning the pH and ionic strength, which determines the electrostatic interaction between insulin and the polymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 42596.