Self-Assembling PCL–PAMAM Linear Dendritic Block Copolymers (LDBCs) for Bioimaging and Phototherapeutic Applications

Abstract

This study represents a successful approach toward employing polycaprolactone–polyamidoamine (PCL–PAMAM) linear dendritic block copolymer (LDBC) nanoparticles as small-molecule carriers in NIR imaging and photothermal therapy. A feasible and robust synthetic strategy was used to synthesize a library of amphiphilic LDBCs with well-controlled hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic weight ratios. Systems with a hydrophobic weight ratio higher than 70% formed nanoparticles in aqueous media, which show hydrodynamic diameters of 51.6 and 96.4 nm. These nanoparticles exhibited loading efficiencies up to 21% for a hydrophobic molecule and 64% for a hydrophilic molecule. Furthermore, successful cellular uptake was observed via trafficking into endosomal and lysosomal compartments with an encapsulated NIR theranostic agent (C3) without inducing cell death. A preliminary photothermal assessment resulted in cell death after treating the cells with encapsulated C3 and exposing them to NIR light. The results of this work confirm the potential of these polymeric materials as promising candidates in theranostic nanomedicine.

Physicochemical properties and bio‐interfacial interactions of surface modified PDLLA‐PAMAM linear dendritic block copolymers

“…A PAMAM dendron initiated from an ethanolamine core was synthesized as reported in our previous works 15,18–20 . The full synthesis is detailed in the Data S1 (Scheme S1).…”

“…In order to incorporate the linear, hydrophobic component into the LDBC, the PAMAM dendrons served as macroinitiators and underwent a ROP 15,19 . The ROP was conducted using d,l ‐lactide monomer and 1,8‐diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec‐7‐ene (DBU) as a catalyst (Scheme S4).…”

The block copolymer shuffle in size exclusion chromatography: the intrinsic problem with using elugrams to determine chain extension success

“…It is particularly worthwhile reviewing such "inhomogeneous" BCPs since their internally cooperative-or multifunctionality is of strong interest for advanced applications, as smart coatings, [6][7][8][9] drug delivery, [10][11][12][13] bioimaging, [14][15][16] optoelectronics [17][18][19][20] and energy harvesting and storage. [21][22][23][24][25] We subdivide these non-classical BCPs into four "behavioural categories" and conclude with a brief survey of methods to improve the accuracy of molecular weight estimates.…”

A new trinuclear cluster-based Cd(II) compound: photocatalytic property and nursing application values on the bacterial infection

“…The DSC curve of 1 exhibits two main peaks. The endothermic peak reflects the desolvation process, whereas the exothermic peak represents the main decomposition process with a peak temperature of 321°C [ 21–23 ]. The FT-IR spectra of the ligands and complex 1 are shown in Figure S1.…”