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Porras JD, Diaz IL, Perez LD. Synthesis of PEGylated amphiphilic block copolymers with pendant linoleic moieties by combining ring-opening polymerization and click chemistry. Biopolymers 2024:e23582. [PMID: 38680100 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
This study focused on synthesizing and characterizing PEGylated amphiphilic block copolymers with pendant linoleic acid (Lin) moieties as an alternative to enhance their potential in drug delivery applications. The synthesis involved a two-step process, starting with ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) and propargylated cyclic carbonate (MCP) to obtain PEG-b-P(CL-co-MCP) copolymers, which were subsequently modified via click chemistry. Various reaction conditions were explored to improve the yield and efficiency of the click chemistry step. The use of anisole as a solvent, N-(3-azidopropyl)linoleamide as a substrate, and a reaction temperature of 60°C proved to be highly efficient, achieving nearly 100% conversion at a low catalyst concentration. The resulting copolymers exhibited controlled molecular weights and low polydispersity, confirming the successful synthesis. Furthermore, click chemistry allows for the attachment of Lin moieties to the copolymer, enhancing its hydrophobic character, as deduced from their significantly lower critical micelle concentration than that of traditional PEG-b-PCL systems, which is indicative of enhanced stability against dilution. The modified copolymers exhibited improved thermal stability, making them suitable for applications that require high processing temperatures. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of micellar structures with sizes below 100 nm and minimal aggregate formation. Additionally, 1H NMR spectroscopy in deuterated water revealed the presence of core-shell micelles, which provided higher kinetic stability against dilution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian D Porras
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ivonne L Diaz
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Leon D Perez
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
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Leng Q, Imtiyaz Z, Woodle MC, Mixson AJ. Delivery of Chemotherapy Agents and Nucleic Acids with pH-Dependent Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1482. [PMID: 37242725 PMCID: PMC10222096 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
With less than one percent of systemically injected nanoparticles accumulating in tumors, several novel approaches have been spurred to direct and release the therapy in or near tumors. One such approach depends on the acidic pH of the extracellular matrix and endosomes of the tumor. With an average pH of 6.8, the extracellular tumor matrix provides a gradient for pH-responsive particles to accumulate, enabling greater specificity. Upon uptake by tumor cells, nanoparticles are further exposed to lower pHs, reaching a pH of 5 in late endosomes. Based on these two acidic environments in the tumor, various pH-dependent targeting strategies have been employed to release chemotherapy or the combination of chemotherapy and nucleic acids from macromolecules such as the keratin protein or polymeric nanoparticles. We will review these release strategies, including pH-sensitive linkages between the carrier and hydrophobic chemotherapy agent, the protonation and disruption of polymeric nanoparticles, an amalgam of these first two approaches, and the release of polymers shielding drug-loaded nanoparticles. While several pH-sensitive strategies have demonstrated marked antitumor efficacy in preclinical trials, many studies are early in their development with several obstacles that may limit their clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qixin Leng
- Department of Pathology, University Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, 10 S. Pine St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA (Z.I.)
| | - Zuha Imtiyaz
- Department of Pathology, University Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, 10 S. Pine St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA (Z.I.)
| | | | - A. James Mixson
- Department of Pathology, University Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, 10 S. Pine St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA (Z.I.)
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Diaz IL, Jérôme V, Freitag R, Perez LD. Development of poly(ethyleneimine) grafted amphiphilic copolymers: Evaluation of their cytotoxicity and ability to complex DNA. J BIOACT COMPAT POL 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/08839115211053925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) is one of the most widely used cationic polymers for gene delivery. The high molecular weight polymer, which is commercially available, is highly efficient but also very cytotoxic. The reduction in charge density by using nonlinear architectures based on low molecular weight (LMW) PEI is a promising approach to produce safer DNA-vectors. Herein, a group of cationic graft copolymers with different composition containing a hydrophobic biocompatible backbone and LMW linear PEI (lPEI) grafts obtained by ring opening polymerization and click chemistry was studied. The self-assembly and DNA complexation behavior of these materials was analyzed by the gel retardation assay, zeta potential measurements, and dynamic light scattering. The copolymers formed positively charged particles in water with average sizes between 270 and 377 nm. After they were added to DNA in serum-free medium, these particles acquired negative/near-neutral charges and increased in size depending on the N/P ratio. All copolymers showed reduced cytotoxicity compared to the 25 kDa lPEI used as reference, but the transfection efficiency was reduced. This result suggested that the cationic segments were too small to fully condense the DNA and promote cellular uptake, even with the use of several grafts and the introduction of hydrophobic domains. The trends found in this research showed that a higher degree of hydrophobicity and a higher grafting density can enhance the interaction between the copolymers and DNA. These trends could direct further structural modifications in the search for effective and safe vectors based on this polycation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne L Diaz
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - León D Perez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá DC, Colombia
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Keim D, Gollner K, Gollner U, Jérôme V, Freitag R. Generation of Recombinant Primary Human B Lymphocytes Using Non-Viral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8239. [PMID: 34361005 PMCID: PMC8347318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the development of gene delivery systems based on non-viral vectors is advancing, it remains a challenge to deliver plasmid DNA into human blood cells. The current "gold standard", namely linear polyethyleneimine (l-PEI 25 kDa), in particular, is unable to produce transgene expression levels >5% in primary human B lymphocytes. Here, it is demonstrated that a well-defined 24-armed poly(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA, 755 kDa) nano-star is able to reproducibly elicit high transgene expression (40%) at sufficient residual viability (69%) in primary human B cells derived from tonsillar tissue. Moreover, our results indicate that the length of the mitogenic stimulation prior to transfection is an important parameter that must be established during the development of the transfection protocol. In our hands, four days of stimulation with rhCD40L post-thawing led to the best transfection results in terms of TE and cell survival. Most importantly, our data argue for an impact of the B cell subsets on the transfection outcomes, underlining that the complexity and heterogeneity of a given B cell population pre- and post-transfection is a critical parameter to consider in the multiparametric approach required for the implementation of the transfection protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Keim
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.K.); (V.J.)
| | - Katrin Gollner
- Praxis am Schießgraben, Schießgraben 21, 95326 Kulmbach, Germany; (K.G.); (U.G.)
| | - Ulrich Gollner
- Praxis am Schießgraben, Schießgraben 21, 95326 Kulmbach, Germany; (K.G.); (U.G.)
| | - Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.K.); (V.J.)
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.K.); (V.J.)
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Flejszar M, Chmielarz P, Smenda J, Wolski K. Following principles of green chemistry: Low ppm photo-ATRP of DMAEMA in water/ethanol mixture. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Diaz Ariza IL, Jérôme V, Pérez Pérez LD, Freitag R. Amphiphilic Graft Copolymers Capable of Mixed-Mode Interaction as Alternative Nonviral Transfection Agents. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:1268-1282. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne L. Diaz Ariza
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, D.C. 11001, Colombia
| | - Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
| | - León D. Pérez Pérez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, D.C. 11001, Colombia
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
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Angarita-Villamizar AV, Arias ER, Diaz IL, Perez LD. Amphiphilic copolymers modified with oleic acid and cholesterol by combining ring opening polymerization and click chemistry with improved amphotericin B loading capacity. JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10965-020-02392-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Jérôme V, Synatschke CV, Freitag R. Transient Destabilization of Biological Membranes Contributes to the Superior Performance of Star-Shaped PDMAEMA in Delivering pDNA. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:26640-26654. [PMID: 33110991 PMCID: PMC7581230 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nonviral DNA vectors are promising alternatives to viral ones. Their use in DNA medicine is limited by an inability to transfect, for example, nondividing or suspension cells. In recent years, star-shaped synthetic polycationic vectors, so called "Nanostars", have shown some promise in this regard, at least when compared to the "gold standard" in nonviral vectors, namely, linear poly(ethyleneimine) (l-PEI). It has been hypothesized that an ability to transiently destabilize cellular membranes is partially responsible for the phenomenon. This hypothesis is investigated here, taking human leukemia suspension cells (Jurkat cells) as an example. Contrary to l-PEI, the Nanostars promote the cellular uptake of small, normally membrane-impermeant molecules (trypan blue and propidium iodide) as well as that of fluorescent polystyrene beads (average diameter 100 nm). Since Nanostars, but not l-PEI, are apparently able to deliver DNA to nuclei of nondividing cells, nuclear uptake is, in addition, investigated with isolated cell nuclei. Our results provide evidence that Nanostars are more efficient than l-PEI in increasing the nuclear membrane association/permeability, allowing accumulation of their cargo on/in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | | | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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