Post‐Polymerization Modifications to Prepare Biomedical Nanocarriers with Varying Internal Structures, their Properties and Impact on Protein Corona Formation

Abstract

The reactive ester approach provides access to various types of drug delivery systems. Either amphiphilic block copolymer micelles with hydrophobic cores can be generated for encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs, or they are (reversibly) crosslinked by polar molecules into nano(hydro)gel particles affording hydrophilic cores and coronas. Beyond short oligonucleotides complexation or covalent drug conjugation inside the core, a surface functionalization with targeting units is further possible to address a large variety of drug delivery scenarios. Interestingly, the reactive ester approach can thereby not only govern the nanocarriers inner structure and surface property, but at the same time also provide strategies to prevent protein corona formation. These features are summarized in this article and underline the concept of reactive ester macromolecules as beneficial tool for assisting in drug delivery.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Amino-Acid-Derived Anionic Polyacrylamides with Tailored Hydrophobicity–Physicochemical Properties and Cellular Interactions

“…Reports have shown that activated ester polymers such as poly­( N -acryloxysuccinimide) (PNAS) and poly­(pentafluorophenyl) acrylate (PPFPA) react fast and quantitively with primary or secondary amines resulting in the corresponding poly­(acrylamide) (P­(AAm)) derivatives. , While among activated ester monomers, NAS is the oldest and the most regularly employed one, , polymers derived from PFPA commonly feature a higher hydrolytic stability and enhanced solubility in a wider range of organic solvents . Previously, PNAS and PPFPA were already employed to synthesize various polymer architectures, such as activated polymer brushes , and nano­(hydro)­gels . The modification of activated ester polymers with cross-linking bis-amines, amino-modified chromophores, , amino-sugars, and alkylated amines has been shown.…”

“… 34 Previously, PNAS and PPFPA were already employed to synthesize various polymer architectures, such as activated polymer brushes 32 , 37 and nano(hydro)gels. 38 The modification of activated ester polymers with cross-linking bis-amines, 39 amino-modified chromophores, 40 , 41 amino-sugars, 31 and alkylated amines 42 has been shown. They have further been modified with small peptides.…”