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Polymersome‐Loaded Capsules for Controlled Release of DNA
Author(s) -
Lomas Hannah,
Johnston Angus P. R.,
Such Georgina K.,
Zhu Zhiyuan,
Liang Kang,
Van Koeverden Martin P.,
Alongkornchotikul Siripong,
Caruso Frank
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201100744
Subject(s) - polymersome , methacrylate , amphiphile , polymer , copolymer , chemistry , endocytic cycle , materials science , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , biophysics , organic chemistry , biochemistry , endocytosis , biology , engineering , cell
The formation of a novel drug‐delivery carrier for the controlled release of plasmid DNA that comprises layer‐by‐layer polymer capsules subcompartmentalized with pH‐sensitive nanometer‐sized polymersomes is reported. The amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate)‐ block ‐poly(2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) forms polymersomes at physiological pH, but transitions to unimeric polymer chains upon acidification to cellular endocytic pH. These polymersomes can thus release an encapsulated payload in response to a change in pH from physiological to endocytic conditions. Multicomponent layer‐by‐layer capsules are formed by exploiting the ability of tannic acid to act as an efficient hydrogen‐bond donor for both the polymersomes and poly( N ‐vinyl pyrrolidone) at physiological pH. These capsules show release of a plasmid DNA payload encapsulated within the polymersome subcompartments in response to changes in pH between physiological and endocytic conditions.