Control of drug accessibility on functional polyelectrolyte multilayer films

Temperature-induced molecular transport through polymer multilayers coated with PNIPAM microgels

“…Nowadays these multilayer films are extensively used as reservoirs to host bioactive molecules aiming at biological applications. [6][7][8][9][10] A variety of molecules can be embedded into the films; they include small drugs and dyes, [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] proteins and peptides, [18][19][20][21] or nucleic acids. 22,23 Extensive reviews on the reservoir properties of the multilayers can be found elsewhere.…”

“…The HA/PLL multilayers are non-toxic for a variety of cell lines and have been employed to control cell adhesion via chemical or physical cues. 11,[25][26][27][28][29] The so-called exponential-like growth of the multilayers is caused by polymer diffusion in and out of the multilayers during the polymer assembly process. [30][31][32][33] The exponential-like growth allows the production of micrometer thick films with high loading capacities for various biomolecules.…”

Polyelectrolyte Multilayers: Towards Single Cell Studies

“…Pharmaceuticals can be directly loaded by the post-loading approach (spontaneous diffusion into the preformed film) [38,55,56]. Alternatively, a casting deposition method has been used [57].…”

“…The whole film can be also made stiffer if one uses stiff nanoparticles to produce multilayers [37]. Another option is to introduce additional polymer "layers" making the film stiffer due to formation of less hydrated capping layers (usually from highly charged synthetic polymers) on the film top [33,38]. Patterning of the LbL films by a combination of microfluidics and stamping technique without any chemical or physical influence on the film properties has been recently demonstrated [39].…”

Multilayer Film Applications in Drug Delivery: what‘s New and Where to next?

“…In the process, soluble complexes are formed between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on the film surface and the sign of charge of the film surface is reversed. Vodouhê et al, for example, have studied multilayer films made of poly(lysine), a polycation, and hyaluronic acid, a polyanion [13]. The investigators sought to characterize the accessibility of the antiproliferative agent paclitaxel (Taxol ® ) on the surface of the film in the absence of chemical modification of the polymers or the drug.…”