Microfluidic Preparation of Janus Microparticles With Temperature and pH Triggered Degradation Properties

Abstract

Based on the phase separation phenomenon in micro-droplets, polymer-lipid Janus particles were prepared on a microfluidic flow focusing chip. Phase separation of droplets was caused by solvent volatilization and Janus morphology was formed under the action of interfacial tension. Because phase change from solid to liquid of the lipid hemisphere could be triggered by physiological temperature, the lipid hemisphere could be used for rapid release of drugs. While the polymer we selected was pH sensitive that the polymer hemisphere could degrade under acidic conditions, making it possible to release drugs in a specific pH environment, such as tumor tissues. Janus particles with different structures were obtained by changing the experimental conditions. To widen the application range of the particles, fatty alcohol and fatty acid-based phase change materials were also employed to prepare the particles, such as 1-tetradecanol, 1-hexadecanol and lauric acid. The melting points of these substances are higher than the physiological temperature, which can be applied in fever triggered drug release or in thermotherapy. The introduction of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) enabled the formation of multicompartment particles with three distinct materials. With different degradation properties of each compartment, the particles generated in this work may find applications in programmed and sequential drug release triggered by multiple stimuli.

The Role of Microsphere Structures in Bottom-Up Bone Tissue Engineering

“…In recent years, these goals have been progressively achieved using microfluidic platforms by controlling precursor flow and mixing, and Janus particles with heterogeneity have been prepared on microfluidic platforms. With these advances and improved material consistency, the choice of materials for preparation has been diversified, and stimuli-responsive and phase-change materials have been introduced to achieve greater functionality under endogenous and exogenous stimuli [ 80 ]. Computational models and numerical methods have also been developed to predict the properties and behavior of microspheres, as well as the local internal and characteristic structures [ 235 ].…”

“…Moreover, microspheres can better protect the encapsulated drug, thereby avoiding the degradation of enzymes in the receptor caused by gastric and intestinal juices [ 79 ]. Researchers can also design microspheres with different materials according to the specific in vivo environments, such as p(BMA-co-DAMA-co-MMA), lipids, and other phase changing materials [ 80 ]. However, it is difficult to reproduce and predict the full impact of the human internal environment when designing the microspheres, and sometimes it is difficult to maintain a constant release rate in the body.…”

“…Janus particles are structures that integrate two or more composites with different chemical compositions into a single structural system. Janus particles can integrate different functional properties and perform multiple synergistic functions simultaneously because of their asymmetric composition and structure [ 80 ]. The application of Janus particles allows for the controlled release of drugs, and therefore it has promising applications in bone tissue engineering based on endochondral ossification.…”

Craft of Co-encapsulation in Nanomedicine: A Struggle To Achieve Synergy through Reciprocity

“…With finer tuning of the segments of the JNPs, including surface functionalization, release properties of the co-encapsulated drugs, often with disparate properties, can be controlled. In addition, such co-encapsulated JNPs can be rendered to be trigger-sensitive DDSs where release is facilitated due to pH, temperature, or a combination of both . These attributes highlight the suitability of JNPs in codelivering multiple therapeutic molecules in cancer tissues.…”

Comparison between Janus-Base Nanotubes and Carbon Nanotubes: A Review on Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties, and Applications

“…Janus particles are materials with non-centrosymmetric characteristics. The idea of using Janus particles for clinical use was an idea originally founded by De Gennes, a French scientist, who recognized the significance of an asymmetric reflection, coining the term “Janus” after the ancient Roman double-faced God [ 4 ]. The morphology and inherent magnetic and electronic properties are heavily dependent on the chemical composition and are being widely used in the biomedical field due to their low toxicity and biocompatibility with a wide variety of cell types [ 3 ].…”