Synthesis of light and dual‐redox triple‐stimuli‐responsive core‐crosslinked micelles as nanocarriers for controlled release

Abstract

Stimulus-responsive polymeric nanoparticles have great potential as nanocarriers. Here, triple-stimuli-responsive corecrosslinked (CCL) micelles were developed that were convenient for drug delivery by taking advantage of dual-redox and UV light synergistic triggers. Amphiphilic block copolymers methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(3-azido-2-hydroxy-propyl methacrylate-co-οnitrobenzyl methacrylate) [mPEG-b-P(GMA-N 3 -co-NBM)] were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization and ring-opening reaction of ethylene oxide; these block copolymers can spontaneously self-assemble into noncrosslinked (NCL) micelles. Afterward, CCL micelles were prepared using an alkyne-functionalized crosslinking agent. Furthermore, the CCL micelles showed an excellent Nile Red dye molecule encapsulation, light and dual-redox-responsive performance, and increasing release rate of the dye as the concentration of glutathione and light irradiation increased. The triple-stimuli-responsive CCL micelles showed excellent stability and controllable release compared to NCL micelles. Therefore, we have developed a new smart nanocarrier, and the triple-stimuli-responsive CCL micelles could also be a potential delivery system in cancer therapy.

Dandelion flower-like micelles

“…1b, S6 and S7 †). [41][42][43][44] The TEM images of the DFMs clearly demonstrated the dandelion ower-like structures with seed SCMs located at the shell, acting as dandelion seeds (Fig. 1c).…”

Polymeric indoximod based prodrug nanoparticles with doxorubicin entrapment for inducing immunogenic cell death and improving the immunotherapy of breast cancer

“…The ATRP microinitiator PEG-Br was synthesized from PEG-OH and 2bromo-2-methylpropionyl bromide using the method described by Ma et al with some modifications. 17 The synthesis scheme is shown in Fig. S1 (ESI †).…”

Porous ZnO Microspheres Grafted with Poly‐(N‐isopropylacrylamide) via SI‐ATRP: Reversible Temperature‐Controlled Switching of Photocatalysis**

“…To date, increasing attention has been placed on the design and fabrication of smart materials, which are attractive due to their remarkable responsive behaviors [35,36] . Stimuli‐responsive polymers can change their conformation in response to small external environment stimuli, such as temperature, [37,38] pH, [39] light, [40,41] mechanical force [42] and magnetic/electric field, [43] resulting in the dramatic property variations. It has been expected that the introduction of stimuli‐responsive polymers to hybrid materials would provide a versatile strategy to prepare smart composites [44–46] .…”