Acetal Linkage Research Articles

Facile Route to Targeted, Biodegradable Polymeric Prodrugs for the Delivery of Combination Therapy for Malaria.

A facile synthetic methodology has been developed to prepare multifaceted polymeric prodrugs that are targeted, biodegradable, and nontoxic, and used for the delivery of combination therapy. This is the first instance of the delivery of the WHO recommended antimalarial combination of lumefantrine (LUM, drug 1) and artemether (AM, drug 2) via a polymeric prodrug. To achieve this, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) was conducted using a hydroxy-functional RAFT agent, and the resulting polymer was used as the macroinitiator in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of α-allylvalerolactone (AVL) to synthesize the biodegradable block copolymer of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(α-allylvalerolactone) (PVP-b-PAVL). The ω-end thiol group of PVP was protected using 2,2'-pyridyldisulfide prior to the ROP, and was conveniently used to bioconjugate a peptidic targeting ligand. To attach LUM, the allyl groups of PVP-b-PAVL underwent oxidation to introduce carboxylic acid groups, which were then esterified with ethylene glycol vinyl ether. Finally, LUM was conjugated to the block copolymer via an acid-labile acetal linkage in a "click"-type reaction, and AM was entrapped within the hydrophobic core of the self-assembled aggregates to render biodegradable multidrug-loaded micelles with targeting ability for combination therapy.

PH-triggered intracellular release of doxorubicin by a poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-based double-shell magnetic nanocarrier.

Two core-double-shell pH-sensitive nanocarriers were fabricated using Fe3O4 as magnetic core, poly(glycidyl methacrylate-PEG) and salep dialdehyde as the first and the second shell, and doxorubicin as the hydrophobic anticancer drug. Two nanocarriers were different in the drug loading steps. The interaction between the first and the second shell assumed to be pH-sensitive via acetal cross linkages. The structure of nanocarriers, organic shell loading, magnetic responsibility, morphology, size, dispersibility, and drug loading content were investigated by IR, NMR, TG, VSM, XRD, DLS, HRTEM and UV-Vis analyses. The long-term drug release profiles of both nanocarriers showed that the drug loading before cross-linking between the first and second shell led to a more pH-sensitive nanocarrier exhibiting higher control on DOX release. Cellular toxicity assay (MTT) showed that DOX-free nanocarrier is biocompatible having cell viability greater than 80% for HEK-293 and MCF-7 cell lines. Besides, high cytotoxic effect observed for drug-loaded nanocarrier on MCF-7 cancer cells. Cellular uptake analysis showed that the nanocarrier is able to transport DOX into the cytoplasm and perinuclear regions of MCF-7 cells. In vitro hemolysis and coagulation assays demonstrated high blood compatibility of nanocarrier. The results also suggested that low concentration of nanocarrier have a great potential as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Dual Biochemically Breakable Drug Carriers from Programmed Telechelic Homopolymers.

Well-defined hydrophilic telechelic dibromo poly(triethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate)s were prepared by single-electron transfer living radical polymerization employing a hydrophobic difunctional initiator containing acetal and disulfide linkages. Although the resulting homopolymers have low hydrophobic contents (<8.5 wt % of the entire structure), they are able to self-assemble in water into nanoscale micellelike particles via chain folding. Acetal and disulfide linkages were demonstrated to be "keystone" units for their dual stimuli-responsive behavior under biochemically relevant conditions. Their site-selective middle-chain cleavage under both acidic pH and reductive conditions splits the homopolymer into two equal-sized fragments and results in the breakdown of the nanoassemblies. The drug loading/delivery potential of these nanoparticles was investigated using curcumine combining in vitro drug release, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake studies with human cancer cell lines (HT-29 and HeLa). Importantly, this strategy may be extended to prepare innovative nanoplatforms based on hydrophilic homopolymers or random copolymers for intelligent drug delivery.

Dual-Location Dual-Acid/Glutathione-Degradable Cationic Micelleplexes through Hydrophobic Modification for Enhanced Gene Silencing.

Gene therapy holds great promise for the treatment of acquired genetic disorders such as cancer with reduced side effects compared to chemotherapy. For gene therapy to be successful, it is crucial to develop efficient and nontoxic gene carriers to overcome the poor in vivo stability and low cellular uptake of nucleic acid-based therapeutic agents. Here, we report a new and versatile approach exploring a combination of hydrophobic modifications and dual-stimuli-responsive degradation (SRD) for controlled gene delivery with amphiphilic block copolymer-based nanocarriers. The block copolymer, synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization, is designed with an acid-labile acetal linkage at the block junction and a pendant disulfide group in the hydrophobic block. The incorporation of labile linkages enables both disulfide-core-cross-linking and dual-location dual-acid/reduction-responsive degradation (DL-DSRD). Furthermore, the disulfide linkages integrated as hydrophobic moieties facilitate the nucleic acids to condense into nanometer-sized micelleplexes through electrostatic interactions of pendant dimethylamino groups with the anionic phosphate groups of the nucleic acids. Our preliminary results demonstrate that the DL-DSRD approach through hydrophobic modification is a robust platform in the development of gene delivery systems with enhanced colloidal stability, reduced cytotoxicity, and improved gene transfection efficiency.

Synthesis of degradable PLA-based diblock copolymers with dual acid/reduction-cleavable junction

The development of biocompatible polylactide (PLA)-based block copolymers for constructing self-assembled nanoaggregates degradable in response to endogenous stimuli found in cell environments is promising for enhanced/controlled drug delivery in pharmaceutical science. Despite advances in the synthesis of various PLA-based nanoassemblies featured with only a single stimulus response, the design and development of advanced nanoassemblies integrated with two endogenous stimuli-responsive cleavable linkages for dual stimuli response is challenging. Here we report an approach to the synthesis of a new PLA-based diblock copolymer having dual reduction-cleavable disulfide and acid-labile acetal linkages at the block junction. Key to the approach is the use of a double-head initiator designed uniquely with both acetal and disulfide linkages as well as with both OH and bromine terminal groups. Our comprehensive results from structural analysis and degradation through chemical transition suggest the requirement of a rational combination of controlled polymerization techniques and facile coupling reactions for the synthesis of well-controlled PLA-based diblock copolymer having both disulfide and acetal linkages. The main reason is attributed to the instability of acetal linkages under ROP condition with a tin catalyst at an elevated temperature. The resultant copolymer self-assembles to form shell-sheddable nanoassemblies that are disintegrated in response to dual acid/reduction. This work demonstrates the importance in the development of efficient polymerization strategies by utilizing well-established polymerization techniques to synthesize novel functional copolymers with complicated architectures and various functionalities sensitive to reaction environments.

Indomethacin-grafted and pH-sensitive dextran micelles for overcoming inflammation-mediated multidrug resistance in breast cancer

We first synthesized indomethacin (IND)-grafted dextran copolymer by acetal or ester linkage, which self-assembled with doxorubicin (DOX) into prodrug micelles (IDAC/DOX or IDES/DOX) with the size of ∼200 nm. In vitro drug release test verified IDAC/DOX could trigger more DOX and IND release by the hydrolysis of acetal than that of ester linkage. A series cells experiments demonstrated pH-sensitive IDAC/DOX could greatly improve cellular uptake and intracellular drug accumulation, thus enhancing DOX toxicity in drug-resistant tumor cells. IDAC/DOX was capable of reversing tumor multidrug resistance (MDR) through reducing multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) level (0.23-fold vs control group) and regulating bcl-2/bax pathway, eventually induced more apoptosis in MCF-7/ADR cells. These nanoparticles possessed long-term blood-circulation and high tumor accumulation, thereby reducing side effect and increasing bioavailability. Anti-tumor evaluation showed that IDAC/DOX possessed the highest tumor growth inhibition (TGI, 92.5 %), which might provide a promising way to overcome malignant tumor resistance.

Dual Reduction/Acid-Responsive Disassembly and Thermoresponsive Tunability of Degradable Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymer.

We report a thermoresponsive double hydrophilic block copolymer degradable in response to dual reduction and acidic pH at dual locations. The copolymer consists of a poly(ethylene oxide) block covalently connected through an acid-labile acetal linkage with a thermoresponsive polymethacrylate block containing pendant oligo(ethylene oxide) and disulfide groups. The copolymer undergoes temperature-driven self-assembly in water to form nanoassemblies with acetal linkages at the core/corona interface and disulfide pendants in the core, exhibiting dual reduction/acid responses at dual locations. The physically assembled nanoaggregates are converted to disulfide-core-crosslinked nanogels through disulfide–thiol exchange reaction, retaining enhanced colloidal stability, yet degraded to water-soluble unimers upon reduction/acid-responsive degradation. Further, the copolymer exhibits improved tunability of thermoresponsive property upon the cleavage of junction acetal and pendant disulfide linkages individually and in combined manner. This work suggests that dual location dual reduction/acid-responsive degradation is a versatile strategy toward effective drug delivery exhibiting disulfide-core-crosslinking capability and disassembly as well as improved thermoresponsive tunability.

Polymeric modification of gemcitabine via cyclic acetal linkage for enhanced anticancer potency with negligible side effects

Gemcitabine (GEM) is a powerful anticancer drug for various cancers. However, the anticancer efficacy and the side effects should be addressed for effective therapeutics. To this end, we created a GEM-conjugated polymer (P-GEM) based on cyclic acetal linkage as a delivery carrier of GEM. The obtained P-GEM stably conjugated GEM at physiological pH (i.e., bloodstream), but released GEM in response to acidic environments such as endosome/lysosome. After systemic administration of P-GEM for mice bearing subcutaneous tumors, it achieved prolonged blood circulation and enhanced tumor accumulation relative to free GEM system. In addition, the polymer-drug conjugate structure of P-GEM realized effective distribution in the tumor tissues toward the induction of apoptosis in most areas of the tumor sites. Of note, the molecular design of P-GEM achieved minimal accumulation in normal tissues, resulting in negligible GEM-derived adverse effects (e.g., gastrointestinal toxicity and hematotoxicity). Ultimately, even four times smaller dose of P-GEM on a GEM basis realized comparable/higher tumor growth suppression effect for two distinct pancreatic tumor models, compared to free GEM system. The obtained results suggest the huge potential of the present design of GEM-conjugated polymer for anticancer therapeutics.

The Oligomerization of Glucose Under Plausible Prebiotic Conditions.

The prebiotic origin of polysaccharides, the largest class of biopolymers by mass in extant biology, has seldom been investigated experimentally. Herein, we report on the acid-catalyzed condensation of aqueous solutions of glucose, a model monosaccharide, under plausible prebiotic conditions employing a wet-dry (night-day) protocol with 0.01M HCl at 50°C. This protocol leads to the formation of oligosaccharides containing up to eight monomeric units identified by high resolution mass spectrometry. The regio- and stereochemistry of the oligomeric acetal linkages, as well as the quantitative analysis of glucose conversion, are elucidated by combining 1H, 13C and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Ten out of eleven possible acetal linkages, including α- and β- anomers, have been identified with the α- and β- 1,6-acetals being the dominant linkages observed. In addition, the acid-catalyzed oligomerization of several glucose disaccharides such as cellobiose, maltose, and gentiobiose are presented along with an accompanying comparison with the corresponding oligomerization of glucose.

Acid-sensitive oxidative stress inducing and photoabsorbing polysaccharide nanoparticles for combinational anticancer therapy.

Combination therapy, a treatment regimen that combines more than two therapeutic agents to diseased tissues has recently gained increasing attentions in anticancer therapy. As cancer cells are more vulnerable to oxidative stress and heat compared to normal cells, we developed hyperthermia- and oxidative stress-inducing maltodextrin (HTOM) nanoparticles as a platform of combinational photothermal/oxidative anticancer therapy. HTOM was designed to incorporate cinnamaldehyde as an oxidative stress inducer through acid-labile acetal linkage and IR780 as a photoabsorber. HTOM nanoparticles could generate excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill cancer cells effectively. When exposed to near infrared (NIR) laser irradiation (808nm), HTOM nanoparticles also increased temperature to destroy cancer cells. The combination of NIR laser irradiation with HTOM nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher anticancer activity than HTOM nanoparticles alone and NIR lasers irradiation alone. When combined with NIR laser irradiation on the tumor site, intravenously administrated HTOM nanoparticles effectively eradicated tumors in mouse xenograft models. Our strategy for combination of oxidative stress and photothermal heating may offer a new combinational treatment modality for cancer.

A Simple, pH-Activatable Fluorescent Aptamer Probe with Ultralow Background for Bispecific Tumor Imaging.

Activatable aptamer probes (AAPs) are promising in molecular imaging of tumors, but the reported shape-switching-dependent AAPs are still challenged by unsatisfied noise suppression, poor stability, and sophisticated sequence design. To address the problem, we constructed a pH-activatable aptamer probe (pH-AAP) by utilizing an acid-labile acetal linker as the responsive element to be fused with a tumor-targeted aptamer. Specifically, a Cy5-labeled aptamer was connected with the quencher BHQ2 through the acetal group, thus generating pH-AAP with quenched fluorescence. Due to the stable proximity of Cy5 to BHQ2, pH-AAP was found to have ultralow background with a quenching efficiency as high as 98%. In comparison with shape-switching-dependent AAPs, the noise suppression of pH-AAP was well maintained for a much longer time in both serum and mouse body, thus showing a robust fluorescence stability. By a combination of the fluorescence recovery induced by acid hydrolysis of acetal linkers and the tumor-targeted recognition of aptamers, pH-AAP could either specifically anchor the extracellular pH-activated signals on the target cell surface in an acidic tumor microenvironment or be activated by acidic lysosomes after it was internalized into target cells. As proof of concept, in vitro evaluation and in vivo imaging of A549 lung cancer cells were performed by using S6 aptamer as a demonstration. It was indicated that pH-AAP realized washing-free, bispecific, and contrast-enhanced tumor imaging. The strategy is simple and free of sequence modification, which promises to provide a universal platform for sensitive and precise tumor diagnosis.

Enhanced patient care, reduced costs and measurable better healthcare performance through implementation of intelligent liver function testing (ILFT)

Triterpene saponins include bioactive compounds with structures consisting of triterpene aglycones (sapogenins) and one or more sugar moieties linked through acetal or ester glycosidic linkages at one or more sites. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is a medicinal plant that contains bioactive ursane-type saponins, such as madecassoside and asiaticoside. In this work, glucosylation of triterpenoids in C. asiatica was investigated starting with plant extracts. An enzyme capable of glucosylating asiatic and madecassic acids was partially purified. Proteomics methods and cDNA sequence data were employed as tools to obtain a full-length cDNA clone encoding a glucosyltransferase. The recombinant gene product, UGT73AD1, was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by immobilized metal-affinity chromatography. Purified recombinant UGT73AD1 was found to have a narrow specificity, glucosylating asiatic and madecassic acids at the C28 carboxyl. mRNA accumulated in all tissues tested (leaves, stems, roots and flowers), with highest expression in leaves. Thus, UGT73AD1 was identified as a triterpenoid carboxylic acid: UDP-glucose 28-O-glucosyltransferase that appears to be involved in saponin biosynthesis in C. asiatica.

Preparation of carbon fibers coated with epoxy sizing agents containing degradable acetal linkages and synthesis of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) for chemical recycling

New epoxy resins containing degradable acetal linkages were synthesized by the addition reaction of bisphenol-A (BA) and epoxy-functionalized vinyl ethers containing hydrophilic oxyethylene chains, 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl glycidyl ether (VEGE) and 2-[2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl glycidyl ether (VEEGE). Carbon fibers were applied with the obtained degradable epoxy resin-based sizing agents (designated as BA-VEGE and BA-VEEGE) in ordinary (1.4 ~ 2.2 wt%) or excess (6.4 ~ 13.4 wt%) amounts. Interfacial adhesion between the carbon fibers applied with the degradable epoxy resin-based sizing agents and matrix resins (bisphenol-A-type epoxy resin) was evaluated by the microdroplet method. Carbon fibers with both degradable epoxy resins as a sizing agent showed improved adhesive properties compared with the desized carbon fibers. Using the degradable sizing agent-applied carbon fibers, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) were prepared by laminating prepreg sheets and heating them under pressure. The tensile properties of the CFRPs with [0]50 lay-up did not depend on the structure of the sizing agents, but the tensile strength decreased as the amount of sizing agent used increased. On the other hand, the tensile properties of the CFRPs with [0/90]12S lay-up were not dependent on the structure or volume of sizing agents used. The impact toughness of the CFRPs was evaluated by the charpy impact test. When an ordinary volume of sizing agent was applied, the CFRPs with degradable epoxy resin-based sizing agents exhibited higher levels of impact strength than the commercial sizing agent-based CFRPs. However, applying an excessive volume of sizing agent to carbon fibers led to a decline in impact strength. The degradation reaction was conducted under acidic conditions by the treatment of HCl at room temperature or 70 °C. CFRPs with degradable epoxy resins as sizing agents in ordinary volumes were barely decomposed due to insufficient degradable regions in the CFRP components. However, the CFRPs applied with excess degradable sizing agents decomposed and carbon fibers were recovered. The new epoxy resins containing degradable acetal linkages were synthesized and used as sizing agents for carbon fibers. Using the degradable sizing agent-applied carbon fibers, the carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) were prepared via laminating prepreg sheets and heating them under pressure. The mechanical properties of the obtained CFRPs were comparable with those of the conventional CFRPs. With the treatment of acidic conditions, the CFRPs with the degradable sizing agents on carbon fiber surface were decomposed and the carbon fibers could be recovered.

Backbone Degradable Poly(aryl acetal) Photoresist Polymers: Synthesis, Acid Sensitivity, and Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography Performance

A new class of acid labile poly(aryl acetal) polymers has been developed that can be used in photoresist formulations for next-generation microlithography techniques including extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or electron beam lithography. Example polymers have been synthesized by an optimized Suzuki polycondensation protocol. They are soluble in common photoresist solvents but are insoluble in water or aqueous bases that are used to develop positive photoresists. The structural design includes further elements that are aimed at improving photoresist resolution, stability, and etch resistance. Upon acid exposure, the acetal linkages are cleaved, and the polymers degrade into phenolic terphenyl fragments, which are readily soluble in a photoresist developer. Polymer degradation has been studied by NMR and LC-MS. Lithographic formulations have been developed and tested in line-and-space patterning experiments using EUV photolithography. Optimized resist formulations achieved 22 nm resolution with line width roughne...

Synthesis and Characterization of Electrospinning PVA Nanofiber-Crosslinked by Glutaraldehyde

Electrospinning of PVA nanofiber-crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GA) has been prepared and characterized. The PVA nanofibers have been produced by injecting 10 % w/v of PVA into electrospinning machine. The in-situ method has been used for crosslinking step for 4 hours using 0.5 M glutaraldehyde in acetone toward PVA nanofibers. The Infrared spectra have shown the formation of acetal linkages (-C-OC-) within crosslinked PVA nanofibers as compared to the pristine PVA nanofiber. The SEM images displayed the increment in thickness and diameter up to 250 nm. Improvement of mechanical properties of PVA nanofibers have been observed by elongation values.

Using Aldehyde Synergism To Direct the Design of Degradable Pro-Antimicrobial Networks.

We describe the design and synthesis of degradable, dual-release, pro-antimicrobial poly(thioether acetal) networks derived from synergistic pairs of aromatic terpene aldehydes. Initially, we identified pairs of aromatic terpene aldehyde derivatives exhibiting a synergistic antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by determining fractional inhibitory concentrations. Synergistic aldehydes were converted into dialkene acetal monomers and copolymerized at various ratios with a multifunctional thiol via thiol-ene photopolymerization. The step-growth nature of the thiol-ene polymerization ensures every cross-link junction contains a degradable acetal linkage enabling a fully cross-linked polymer network to revert into its small molecule constituents upon hydrolysis, releasing the synergistic aldehydes as active antimicrobial compounds. A three-pronged approach was used to characterize the poly(thioether acetal) materials: (i) determination of the degradation/aldehyde release behavior, (ii) evaluation of the antimicrobial activity, and (iii) identification of the cellular pathways impacted by the aldehydes on a library of mutated bacteria. From this approach, a polymer network derived from a 40:60 p-bromobenzaldehyde/p-anisaldehyde monomer ratio exhibited potent antimicrobial action against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common opportunistic human pathogen. From a transposon mutagenesis assay, we showed that these aldehydes target porins and multidrug efflux pumps. The aldehydes released from the poly(thioether acetal) networks exhibited negligible toxicity to mammalian tissue culture cells, supporting the potential development of these materials as dual-release antimicrobial biomaterial platforms.

Facile Strategies to Synthesize Dual Location Dual Acidic pH/Reduction-Responsive Degradable Block Copolymers Bearing Acetal/Disulfide Block Junctions and Disulfide Pendants.

We report new dual acidic pH/reduction-responsive degradable amphiphilic block copolymers featured with dual acidic pH-labile acetal linkage and a reductively-cleavable disulfide bond at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic block junction as well as pendant disulfide bonds in the hydrophobic block. Centered on the use of a macroinitiator approach, three strategies utilize the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in a sequential or concurrent mechanism, along with facile coupling reactions. Combined structural analysis with dual-stimuli-responsive degradation investigation allows better understanding of the architectures and orthogonalities of the formed block copolymers as a diblock or a triblock copolymer. Our study presents the development of effective synthetic strategies to well-defined multifunctional amphiphilic block copolymers that exhibit dual-stimuli-responsive degradation at dual location (called the DL-DSRD strategy), thus potentially promising as nanoassemblies for effective drug delivery.

Effect of alumina on the performance and characterization of cross-linked PVA/PEG 600 blended membranes for CO2/N2 separation

In this work, poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) 600 g/mol cross-linked membranes with different alumina (Al2O3) content were synthesized. The membranes were then characterized by FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM, mechanical strength and permeation properties for carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases at different operating temperatures. The FTIR results confirmed the acetal linkages of cross-linking at 1083 cm−1 and the presence of stretching and bending peaks of Al-O bond at 598 and 444 cm−1, respectively. TGA results showed that the thermal stabilities of the membranes improved with the addition of alumina particles. DSC analysis proved that the glass transition temperature of the membranes increased with the addition of alumina content. SEM images confirmed the uniform distribution of alumina particles in the membranes. Sol gel testing was also carried out to determine the degree of swelling and gel content. It was also concluded that at 25 °C and 1.5 bar, 6 wt.% Al2O3 filled membrane demonstrated maximum ideal selectivity of CO2/N2 as 79.8 and the highest permeability of CO2 as 394 Barrers, which surpassed the Robeson upper bound limit 2008. It was also found that the increase in temperature resulted in enhancement of CO2 permeability of alumina filled membrane at the cost of reduction in CO2/N2 ideal selectivity and at 70 °C; optimum gas separation properties were achieved.

Acid/light dual-responsive biodegradable polymeric nanocarriers for efficient intracellular drug delivery

A novel amphiphilic acid/light dual-cleavable diblock copolymer poly(e-caprolactone)-acetal-nitrobenzyl ester-poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-PEG) was prepared via the ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone using 5-propargylether-2-nitrobenzyl alcohol as the initiator and subsequent “click” coupling reaction with azide-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) containing acetal group. Both light-cleavable o-nitrobenzyl methyl ester (ONB) and acid-labile acetal were used as the linkages in between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer blocks. In aqueous solution, the copolymer self-assembled into the spherical polymeric nanoparticles, which were stable under physiological conditions and retained the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) inside. Triggered by acid or UV irradiation, the DOX release rate was significantly enhanced, due to the correspondent degradation of acetal or ONB linkages under the stimulus. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy studies further demonstrated the DOX-loaded nanodrug could be efficiently taken up by HeLa cells and exhibited the enhanced DOX release into the cytoplasm upon UV irradiation. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity study verified UV irradiation could improve the antitumor efficacy of the nanodrug against HeLa cells. Thus, this work provides a new method of the design of dual-responsive biodegradable polymers for drug delivery.

PH-Responsive, Functionalizable Spyrocyclic Polycarbonate: A Versatile Platform for Biocompatible Nanoparticles.

Polymeric nanoparticles are widely investigated to enhance the selectivity of therapeutics to targeted sites, as well as to increase circulation lifetime and water solubility of poorly soluble drugs. In contrast to the encapsulation of the cargo into the nanostructures, the conjugation directly to the polymer backbone allows better control on the loading and selective triggered release. In this work we report a simple procedure to create biodegradable polycarbonate graft copolymer nanoparticles via a ring opening polymerization and subsequent postpolymerization modification strategies. The polymer, designed with both pH-responsive acetal linkages and a norbornene group, allows for highly efficient postpolymerization modifications through a range of chemistries to conjugate imaging agents and solubilizing arms to direct self-assembly. To demonstrate the potential of this approach, polycarbonate-based nanoparticles were tested for biocompatibility and theirability to be internalized in A549 and IMR-90 cell lines.