Liposome-Surface-Initiated ARGET ATRP: Surface Softness Generated by “Grafting from” Polymerization

Abstract

Liposomes are self-assembled vesicles of amphiphilic lipid molecules, which have been investigated as models of cells, or tools for drug delivery systems. In these systems, the surface property of the liposomes plays an important role. In this study, we demonstrated a novel polymer modification of liposome surfaces using a controlled radical polymerization, “activators regenerated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization”, in aqueous media without a deoxygenation step. Dynamic light scattering and 1H NMR measurement indicated the successful modification of the polymer on the liposome surface. The molecular weight of the grafted polymer chain was systematically controlled by changing the monomer concentrations in the “grafting from” polymerization. Moreover, the modification resulted in a notable increase in surface softness as indicated by electrophoretic behavior, which was comparable to the surface of cells. The preparation method and the characterization presented in this study would be a helpful guideline in designing the polymer/liposome hybrid having target surface properties.

Engineering exosome polymer hybrids by atom transfer radical polymerization

“…As a result, ATRP and other RDRP methods have been widely employed in the preparation of polymer biohybrids from proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates (22,(43)(44)(45). More recently, polymer functionalization of membrane enclosed systems like cells and liposomes have also been reported (46)(47)(48).…”

Design of biointerfaces composed of soft materials using controlled radical polymerizations

“…6(c)). 131 Liposomes have been investigated as models of cells and tools for drug delivery systems owing to their biocompatibility and similarity to the cells. 132 The control of surface properties is an important factor in these applications.…”

Self‐Assembled Polymeric Membranes and Nanoassemblies on Surfaces: Preparation, Characterization, and Current Applications

“…However, since the polymerization occurs directly from the surface, brush length, the average molecular weight the dispersity and the grafting density are complex to characterize, and require the use of highly specific analytical tools, which will be described in the following sections. Many polymerization techniques are used to achieve homogeneous polymer brushes, such as RAFT, ATRP, NMP, and ROMP . Since monomer diffusion through the growing chains is much easier than polymer diffusion, the drawbacks in packing density encountered in the “grafting to” approach are avoided here and the brush formation is much faster .…”