Stomatocyte in Stomatocyte: A New Shape of Polymersome Induced via Chemical-Addition Methodology

Abstract

Accurate control of the shape transformation of polymersome is an important and interesting challenge that spans across disciplines such as nanomedicine and nanomachine. Here, we report a fast and facile methodology of shape manipulation of polymersome via out-of-equilibrium polymer self-assembly and shape change by chemical addition of additives. Due to its increased permeability, hydrophilicity, and fusogenic properties, poly(ethylene oxide) was selected as the additive for bringing the system out of equilibrium via fast addition into the polymersome organic solution. A new shape, stomatocyte-in-stomatocyte (sto-in-sto), is obtained for the first time. Moreover, fast shape transformation within less than 1 min to other relevant shapes such as stomatocyte and large compound vesicles was also obtained and accurately controlled in a uniform dispersion. This methodology is demonstrated as a general strategy with which to push the assembly further out of equilibrium to generate unusual nanostructures in a controllable and fast manner.

Polymersomes: Breaking the Glass Ceiling?

“…This feat would require the fabrication of intricate co‐assemblies of GPs (in GPs). The recent fabrication of the stomatocyte‐in‐stomatocyte bodes well for this type of complex architecture . Generally speaking, the prospect of controlling the individual shape of each polymersome to make function‐enhancing assemblies (e.g., stomatocyte‐in‐sphere, sphere‐in‐sphere or tube‐in‐stomatocyte) is quite alluring.…”

Biocatalytic Micro‐ and Nanomotors

“…To be small enough for internalization by the cells, approximately 400 nm sized PEG‐ b ‐PS‐based polymersomes were extruded through a membrane, which led to their reassembly into 150 nm sized polymersomes. Upon subsequent addition of PEG as a fusogen of the polymersome membrane, the induced osmotic pressure shock resulted in a stomatocyte shape with encapsulated CAT . The resulting enzyme‐driven stomatocyte nanomotors were taken up by HeLa cells and were able to penetrate a monolayer of pulmonary artery endothelial cells.…”

Persistent Prolate Polymersomes for Enhanced Co-Delivery of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Drugs

“…30,31 More complex structures, such as nested vesicles, have also been achieved. 32,33 The primary method of achieving these transformations is osmotic shock, creating an osmotic pressure gradient causing the movement of water molecules either into or out of self-assembled structures. Osmotic shock has resulted in shape changes through the addition of NaCl 34 , glucose 32 , or PEG 33 .…”

“…32,33 The primary method of achieving these transformations is osmotic shock, creating an osmotic pressure gradient causing the movement of water molecules either into or out of self-assembled structures. Osmotic shock has resulted in shape changes through the addition of NaCl 34 , glucose 32 , or PEG 33 . Herein we report that PEGPLA polymersomes are capable of encapsulating hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds simultaneously, and that loaded polymersomes deliver encapsulated compounds to cells more effectively than free dye alone.…”