Molecularly Imprinted Nanomaterials with Stimuli Responsiveness for Applications in Biomedicine

Abstract

The review aims to summarize recent reports of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and discuss their applications in biomedicine. In the past few decades, MIPs have been proven to show widespread applications as new molecular recognition materials. The development of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials has successfully endowed MIPs with not only affinity properties comparable to those of natural antibodies but also the ability to respond to external stimuli (stimuli-responsive MIPs). In this review, we will discuss the synthesis of MIPs, the classification of stimuli-responsive MIP nanomaterials (MIP-NMs), their dynamic mechanisms, and their applications in biomedicine, including bioanalysis and diagnosis, biological imaging, drug delivery, disease intervention, and others. This review mainly focuses on studies of smart MIP-NMs with biomedical perspectives after 2015. We believe that this review will be helpful for the further exploration of stimuli-responsive MIP-NMs and contribute to expanding their practical applications especially in biomedicine in the near future.

Current advances in molecularly imprinted polymers and their release mechanisms in drug delivery systems

“…to modifications to the polymer's structure or characteristics, including the breaking or creation of chemical bonds, changes in solubility, and alterations in surface activity. 73 In the pre-polymerization step, where a non-covalent approach is employed, the primary hydrogen bonding interaction between the template and functional monomers is influenced by the external pH environment. 68 In the drug release profile, the dissolution medium is a critical factor in determining the drug release profiles as it influences the desorption and diffusion processes of drugs from MIP.…”

“…Stimuli‐responsive materials exhibit profound changes in their properties, including chain dimensions, solubility, secondary structure, and degree of intermolecular interaction, when subjected to specific stimuli. These changes can be observed through various indicators, including modifications in conformation, dissolution/precipitation, swelling/collapsing, hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics, and micellization 71‐76 …”

“…The principle of pH‐responsive DDS relies on the polymeric structure, such as weak polyelectrolyte polymeric systems containing acidic groups (carboxylic acid, phosphoric acids, sulfonic acid) or basic groups (tertiary amine, pyridine, or imidazole group) that are easy to hydrolyze and protonate in the changes of pH medium 70,72 . This leads to modifications to the polymer's structure or characteristics, including the breaking or creation of chemical bonds, changes in solubility, and alterations in surface activity 73 . In the pre‐polymerization step, where a non‐covalent approach is employed, the primary hydrogen bonding interaction between the template and functional monomers is influenced by the external pH environment 68 …”

C‐Centered radical intermediates for C(sp3)‐H bonds functionalization: An emerging approach towards alkyl thiocyanates

“…This section will focus on the site‐selective thiocyanation of unactivated C(sp 3 )−H bond via a 1,5‐Hydrogen Atom Transfer [72–78] . This approach enables the selective functionalization of a distal C−H bond.…”

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs): emerging biomaterials for cancer theragnostic applications

“…The NSMIP showed a controlled release of the drug in aqueous solution and through porcine tissue under laser irradiation (980 nm, 5 W/cm 2 ). Unlike MIPs that display single-response behavior, those with dual or multiple responses exhibit multifunctionality and a heightened degree of responsiveness [ 134 ]. Kubo et al reported a new thermal-responsive drug delivery system using Fe 3 O 4 NPs coated with MIPs [ 135 ].…”