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Degradable Dual pH‐ and Temperature‐Responsive Photoluminescent Dendrimers
Author(s) -
Shen Youqing,
Ma Xinpeng,
Zhang Bo,
Zhou Zhuxian,
Sun Qihang,
Jin Erlei,
Sui Meihua,
Tang Jianbin,
Wang Jinqiang,
Fan Maohong
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201003495
Subject(s) - dendrimer , photoluminescence , drug delivery , chemistry , drug , drug carrier , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , biophysics , materials science , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , psychiatry , engineering , psychology , biology
Abstract Poly(β‐aminoester) dendrimers have been prepared. These systems represent the first degradable dual pH‐ and temperature‐responsive dendrimers displaying photoluminescence. The pH/temperature sensitivities are interrelated; the lower critical solution temperature of the dendrimer decreases as the pH of the solution is increased. The sensitivities are mainly due to phase changes of the surface groups with changes in pH or temperature. These dual‐responsive dendrimers are very useful in drug delivery. They may be loaded with a hydrophobic drug at low temperature without using organic solvents. The loaded drug is released very slowly and steadily at 37 °C and physiological pH, but can be quickly released at acidic pH, for example the lysosomal pH (pH 4–5), for intracellular drug release. These dendrimers also display strong photoluminescence, which can be exploited for monitoring drug loading and release. Thus, poly(β‐aminoester) dendrimers constitute ideal drug carriers since their thermal sensitivity allows the loading of drugs without using organic solvents, their pH sensitivity permits fast intracellular drug release, and their photoluminescence provides a means of monitoring drug loading and release.