Inorganic Polyphosphate: Coacervate Formation and Functional Significance in Nanomedical Applications

Abstract

Inorganic polyphosphates (polyP) are long-chain polymers of orthophosphate residues, which, depending on the external conditions, can be present both physiologically and synthetically in either soluble, nanoparticulate or coacervate form. In recent years, these polymers have received increasing attention due to their unprecedented ability to exhibit both morphogenetic and metabolic energy delivering properties. There are no other physiological molecules that contain as many metabolically utilizable, high-energy bonds as polyP, making these polymers of particular medical interest as components of advanced hydrogel scaffold materials for potential applications in ATP-dependent tissue regeneration and repair. However, these polymers show physiological activity only in soluble form and in the coacervate phase, but not as stable metal-polyP nanoparticles. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of formation of polyP coacervates and nanoparticles as well as their transformations is important for the design of novel materials for tissue implants, wound healing, and drug delivery and is discussed here.

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“…This characteristic makes PolyP a critical component in advanced hydrogel scaffolds with significant medical implications. In particular, these hydrogel scaffolds have the potential to be utilized in ATP-dependent tissue regeneration and repair, offering promising prospects in the field . Materials based on a PolyP condensation layer or materials containing soluble PolyP or stable PolyP NPs have also been used for wound healing; the NPs are converted into bioactive PolyP-condensed layers when they contact protein body fluids.…”

“…In particular, these hydrogel scaffolds have the potential to be utilized in ATP-dependent tissue regeneration and repair, offering promising prospects in the field. 86 Materials based on a PolyP condensation layer or materials containing soluble PolyP or stable PolyP NPs have also been used for wound healing; the NPs are converted into bioactive PolyP-condensed layers when they contact protein body fluids. PolyP condensation can be utilized to develop anticoagulant therapies.…”