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Reduction‐Triggered Self‐Cross‐Linked Hyperbranched Polyglycerol Nanogels for Intracellular Delivery of Drugs and Proteins
Author(s) -
Park Haeree,
Choi Yeongkyu,
Jeena M. T.,
Ahn Eungjin,
Choi Yuri,
Kang MyeongGyun,
Lee Chae Gyu,
Kwon TaeHyuk,
Rhee HyunWoo,
Ryu JaHyoung,
Kim ByeongSu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.201700356
Subject(s) - nanogel , biocompatibility , self healing hydrogels , copolymer , chemistry , drug delivery , dithiothreitol , disulfide bond , amphiphile , nanoparticle , thiol , polymer , polymer chemistry , nanotechnology , combinatorial chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , enzyme , biochemistry
Owing to the unique advantages of combining the characteristics of hydrogels and nanoparticles, nanogels are actively investigated as a promising platform for advanced biomedical applications. In this work, a self‐cross‐linked hyperbranched polyglycerol nanogel is synthesized using the thiol–disulfide exchange reaction based on a novel disulfide‐containing polymer. A series of structural analyses confirm the tunable size and cross‐linking density depending on the type of polymer (homo‐ or copolymer) and the amount of reducing agent, dithiothreitol, used in the preparation of the nanogels. The nanogels retain not only small molecular therapeutics irrespective of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature but also large enzymes such as β‐galactosidase by exploiting the self‐cross‐linking chemistry. Their superior biocompatibility together with the controllable release of active therapeutic agents suggests the applicability of nanogels in smart drug delivery systems.