Assembly of Alternated Multivalent Ion/Polyelectrolyte Layers on Colloidal Particles. Stability of the Multilayers and Encapsulation of Macromolecules into Polyelectrolyte Capsules

Characterization of the Shells in Layer-By-Layer Nanofunctionalized Particles: A Computational Study

Drug delivery carriers are considered an encouraging approach for the localized treatment of disease with minimum effect on the surrounding tissue. Particularly, layer-by-layer releasing particles have gained increasing interest for their ability to develop multifunctional systems able to control the release of one or more therapeutical drugs and biomolecules. Although experimental methods can offer the opportunity to establish cause and effect relationships, the data collection can be excessively expensive or/and time-consuming. For a better understanding of the impact of different design conditions on the drug-kinetics and release profile, properly designed mathematical models can be greatly beneficial. In this work, we develop a continuum-scale mathematical model to evaluate the transport and release of a drug from a microparticle based on an inner core covered by a polymeric shell. The present mathematical model includes the dissolution and diffusion of the drug and accounts for a mechanism that takes into consideration the drug biomolecules entrapped into the polymeric shell. We test a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the influence of changing the model conditions on the total system behavior. To prove the effectiveness of this proposed model, we consider the specific application of antibacterial treatment and calibrate the model against the data of the release profile for an antibiotic drug, metronidazole. The results of the numerical simulation show that ∼85% of the drug is released in 230 h, and its release is characterized by two regimes where the drug dissolves, diffuses, and travels the external shell layer at a shorter time, while the drug is released from the shell to the surrounding medium at a longer time. Within the sensitivity analysis, the outer layer diffusivity is more significant than the value of diffusivity in the core, and the increase of the dissolution parameters causes an initial burst release of the drug. Finally, changing the shape of the particle to an ellipse produces an increased percentage of drugs released with an unchanged release time.

Polyelectrolyte Multi-Layered Griseofulvin Nanoparticles: Conventional versus Continuous In-Situ Layer-by-Layer Fabrication

Polyelectrolyte multilayers are promising drug carriers with potential applications in the delivery of poorly soluble drugs. Furthermore, the polyelectrolyte multilayer contributes towards electrostatic interactions, which enhances the physical and chemical stability of colloids when compared to those prepared by other approaches. The aim of this work was to generate a polyelectrolyte multilayer on well characterised nanoparticles of the poorly water-soluble drug, griseofulvin. Griseofulvin (GF) nanoparticles (300 nm) were produced by wet bead milling, bearing a negative surface charge due to the use of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) as a stabiliser. Six further layers of alternating chitosan and PSS polyelectrolyte multilayer were successfully generated at the particle surface either via use of: (1) the conventional method of adding excess coating polymer followed by centrifugation, or (2) the continuous in situ approach of adding sufficient amount of coating polymer. The continuous in situ method was designed de novo by the consecutive addition of polymers under high shear rate mixing. In comparison to the continuous in situ method, the conventional method yielded nanoparticles of smaller size (282 ±9 nm vs. 497 ±34 nm) and higher stability by maintaining its size for 6 months. In conclusion, the parent griseofulvin nanosuspension proved to be a suitable candidate for the polyelectrolyte multilayer fabrication providing an avenue for a bespoke formulation with versatile and potentially enhanced drug delivery properties.

Key Points in Remote-Controlled Drug Delivery: From the Carrier Design to Clinical Trials

The increased research activity aiming at improved delivery of pharmaceutical molecules indicates the expansion of the field. An efficient therapeutic delivery approach is based on the optimal choice of drug-carrying vehicle, successful targeting, and payload release enabling the site-specific accumulation of the therapeutic molecules. However, designing the formulation endowed with the targeting properties in vitro does not guarantee its selective delivery in vivo. The various biological barriers that the carrier encounters upon intravascular administration should be adequately addressed in its overall design to reduce the off-target effects and unwanted toxicity in vivo and thereby enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the payload. Here, we discuss the main parameters of remote-controlled drug delivery systems: (i) key principles of the carrier selection; (ii) the most significant physiological barriers and limitations associated with the drug delivery; (iii) major concepts for its targeting and cargo release stimulation by external stimuli in vivo. The clinical translation for drug delivery systems is also described along with the main challenges, key parameters, and examples of successfully translated drug delivery platforms. The essential steps on the way from drug delivery system design to clinical trials are summarized, arranged, and discussed.

Polyelectrolyte Multilayers: An Overview on Fabrication, Properties, and Biomedical and Environmental Applications

Polyelectrolyte multilayers are versatile materials that are used in a large number of domains, including biomedical and environmental applications. The fabrication of polyelectrolyte multilayers using the layer-by-layer technique is one of the simplest methods to obtain composite functional materials. The properties of the final material can be easily tuned by changing the deposition conditions and the used building blocks. This review presents the main characteristics of polyelectrolyte multilayers, the fabrication methods currently used, and the factors influencing the layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes. The last section of this paper presents some of the most important applications of polyelectrolyte multilayers, with a special focus on biomedical and environmental applications.

Biodegradable Nanocarriers Resembling Extracellular Vesicles Deliver Genetic Material with the Highest Efficiency to Various Cell Types

Efficient delivery of genetic material to primary cells remains challenging. Here, efficient transfer of genetic material is presented using synthetic biodegradable nanocarriers, resembling extracellular vesicles in their biomechanical properties. This is based on two main technological achievements: generation of soft biodegradable polyelectrolyte capsules in nanosize and efficient application of the nanocapsules for co-transfer of different RNAs to tumor cell lines and primary cells, including hematopoietic progenitor cells and primary T cells. Near to 100% efficiency is reached using only 2.5 × 10^-4 pmol of siRNA, and 1 × 10^-3 nmol of mRNA per cell, which is several magnitude orders below the amounts reported for any of methods published so far. The data show that biodegradable nanocapsules represent a universal and highly efficient biomimetic platform for the transfer of genetic material with the utmost potential to revolutionize gene transfer technology in vitro and in vivo.

Preparation and investigation of core-shell nanoparticles containing human interferon-α

Sustained release of active interferon-α (IFN-α) has been achieved from core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by aqueous precipitation of IFN-α-enriched human serum albumin (HSA-IFN-α) and layer-by-layer (L-b-L) by coating of the IFN-α NPs with poly(sodium-4-styrene) sulphonate (PSS) and chitosan (Chit). The concentration and the pH of HSA solution were optimized during the development of this method. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta-potential, thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and termogravimetry (TG)), X-ray diffraction (XRD), IFN-α activity and morphology (transmission electron microscope (TEM)) studies were used to control the preparation and analyse the products. The dissolution kinetics of NPs was measured in vitro over 7 days in Hanson dissolution tester with Millex membrane. In vivo studies in Pannon white rabbit detected steady IFN-α plasma level for 10 days after subcutaneous injection administration of the HSA-IFN-α NPs. The IFN-α plasma concentration was detected by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. In the present paper we discuss the preparation method, the optimization steps and the results of in vitro and in vivo release studies. It was established that 76.13% HSA-IFN-α are encapsulated in the core-shell NPs.

Salt-Triggered Release of Hydrophobic Agents from Polyelectrolyte Capsules Generated via One-Step Interfacial Multilevel and Multicomponent Assembly

Controlled release of hydrophobic agents from salt-responsive capsules is hindered by the hydrophilic shell and interfacial tension between inner oil and surrounding water. Rupturing shells in salt solution is another effective way. However, the densely entangled polyelectrolytes (PEs) in shells determined that the rupture requires extremely high ion-strength. Herein, salt-responsive capsules with double-network shells including a continuous PE-nanocrystal network and interfacial ion pairs are proposed and revealed via a one-step interfacial multilevel and multicomponent assembly (IMMA) method. Rigid nanocrystals can weaken the entanglements of PE chains and reduce the critical salt-concentration. Interfacial ion pairs are responsible for maintaining the stability of the shells. Such double networks enable the disintegration of capsules in an applicable salt-concentration without damaging the stability of capsules. In addition, hydrophobic domains assemblied by surfactants and PE-nanocrystal network supply transport pathway for oil to across hydrophilic shells and subsequently produce inverse micelle to carry oil into water. The mechanism of formation and release of capsules is systematically investigated, which further demonstrates IMMA to be a typical method for creation of sophisticated structures in a brief way.

Layer-by-Layer Assembly of High-Performance Electroactive Composites Using a Multiple Charged Small Molecule

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a versatile tool for fabricating multilayers with tailorable nanostructures. LbL, however, generally relies on polyelectrolytes, which are mostly insulating and induce large interlayer distances. We demonstrate a method in which we replace polyelectrolytes with the smallest unit capable of LbL self-assembly: a molecule with multiple positive charges, tris(3-aminopropyl)amine (TAPA), to fabricate LbL films with negatively charged single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). TAPA introduces less defects during the LbL build-up and results in more efficient assembly of films with denser micromorphology. Twenty bilayers of TAPA/CNT showed a low sheet resistance of 11 kΩ, a high transparency of 91% at 500 nm, and a high electronic conductivity of 1100 S/m on planar substrates. We also fabricated LbL films on porous foams with a conductivity of 69 mS/m and used them as electrodes for supercapacitors with a high specific capacitance of 43 F/g at a discharging current density of 1 A/g.

Development of arginine based nanocarriers for targeting and treatment of intracellularSalmonella

Arginine decorated nanocarriers exhibited intravacuolar targeting capability which was utilized to deliver antibiotics and reactive NO into the intracellular niche of pathogens likeSalmonellaandMycobacterium.

Layer-by-layer encapsulated nano-emulsion of ionic liquid loaded with functional material for extraction of Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions

Ionic liquids can serve as an environmentally-friendly replacement for solvents in emulsions, therefore they are considered suitable to be used as an emulsified medium for various active materials one of which are extractors of metal ions. Increasing the extraction efficiency is considered to be one of the key objectives when working with such extraction systems. One way to improve the extraction efficiency is to increase the contact area between the extractant and the working ionic solution. This can be accomplished by creating a nano-emulsion of ionic liquid containing such an extractant. Since emulsification of ionic liquid is not always possible in the sample itself, there is a necessity of creating a stable emulsion that can be added externally and on demand to samples from which metal ions need to be extracted. We propose a method of fabrication of a highly-stable extractant-loaded ionic liquid-in-water nano-emulsion via a low-energy phase reversal emulsification followed by continuous layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition process to encapsulate the nano-emulsion and enhance the emulsion stability. Such a multilayered stabilized nano-emulsion was tested for extraction of Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions in order to determine its extraction efficiency and selectivity. It was found to be effective in the extraction of Cd²⁺ ions with near 100% cadmium removal, as well as being selective since no Ca²⁺ ions were extracted. The encapsulated emulsion was removed from samples post-extraction using two methods - filtration and magnetic separation, both of which were shown to be viable under different circumstances - larger and mechanically stronger capsules could be removed by filtration, however magnetic separation worked better for both smaller and bigger capsules. The long-term stability of nano-emulsion was also tested being a very important characteristic for its proposed use: it was found to be highly stable after four months of storage time.

Molecular ordering of PAH/MA-co-DR13 azopolymer layer-by-layer films probed by second-harmonic generation

Molecular orientation within azopolymer thin films is important for their nonlinear optical properties and photonic applications. We have used optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) to study the molecular orientation of Layer-by-Layer (LbL) films of a cationic polyelectrolyte (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)) and an anionic polyelectrolyte containing azochromophore side groups (MA-co-DR13) on a glass substrate. The SHG measurements indicate that there is a preferential orientation of the azochromophores in the film, leading to a significant optical nonlinearity. However, both the signal strength and its anisotropy are not homogeneous throughout the sample, indicating the presence of large orientational domains. This is corroborated with Brewster angle microscopy. The average SHG signal does not increase with film thickness, in contrast to some reports in the literature, indicating an independent orientational order for successive bilayers. Analyzing the SHG signal as a function of the input and output polarizations, a few parameters of the azochromophore orientational distribution can be deduced. Fitting the SHG signal to a simple model distribution, we have concluded that the chromophores have an angular distribution with a slight in-plane anisotropy and a mean polar angle ranging from 45° to 80° with respect to substrate normal direction, with a relatively large width of about 25°. These results show that SHG is a powerful technique for a detailed investigation of the molecular orientation in azopolymer LbL films, allowing a deeper understanding of their self-assembling mechanism and nonlinear optical properties. The inhomogeneity and anisotropy of these films may have important consequences for their applications in nonlinear optical devices.

Biocompatible multilayer capsules engineered with a graphene oxide derivative: synthesis, characterization and cellular uptake

Graphene-based capsules have strong potential for a number of applications, including drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, sensors, catalysis and reactors. The ability to integrate graphene into carrier systems with three-dimensional (3D) geometry may open new perspectives both for fundamental tests of graphene mechanics and for novel (bio)technological applications. However, the assembly of 3D complexes from graphene or its derivatives is challenging because of its poor stability under biological conditions. In this work, we attempted to integrate a layer of graphene oxide derivative into the shell of biodegradable capsules by exploiting a facile layer-by-layer (LbL) protocol. As a first step we optimized the LbL protocol to obtain colloidal suspensions of isolated capsules embedding the graphene oxide derivative. As a following step, we investigated in detail the morphological properties of the hybrid capsules, and how the graphene oxide derivative layer influences the porosity and the robustness of the multilayer composite shells. Finally, we verified the uptake of the capsules modified with the GO derivative by two cell lines and studied their intracellular localization and biocompatibility. As compared to pristine capsules, the graphene-modified capsules possess reduced porosity, reduced shell thickness and a higher stability against osmotic pressure. They show remarkable biocompatibility towards the tested cells and long-term colloidal stability and dispersion. By combining the excellent mechanical properties of a graphene oxide derivative with the high versatility of the LbL method, robust and flexible biocompatible polymeric capsules with novel characteristics have been fabricated.

Layer-by-layer nanoparticles as an efficient siRNA delivery vehicle for SPARC silencing

Efficient and safe delivery systems for siRNA therapeutics remain a challenge. Elevated secreted protein, acidic, and rich in cysteine (SPARC) protein expression is associated with tissue scarring and fibrosis. Here we investigate the feasibility of encapsulating SPARC-siRNA in the bilayers of layer-by-layer (LbL) nanoparticles (NPs) with poly(L-arginine) (ARG) and dextran (DXS) as polyelectrolytes. Cellular binding and uptake of LbL NPs as well as siRNA delivery were studied in FibroGRO cells. siGLO-siRNA and SPARC-siRNA were efficiently coated onto hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. The multilayered NPs were characterized with regard to particle size, zeta potential and surface morphology using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The SPARC-gene silencing and mRNA levels were analyzed using ChemiDOC western blot technique and RT-PCR. The multilayer SPARC-siRNA incorporated nanoparticles are about 200 nm in diameter and are efficiently internalized into FibroGRO cells. Their intracellular fate was also followed by tagging with suitable reporter siRNA as well as with lysotracker dye; confocal microscopy clearly indicates endosomal escape of the particles. Significant (60%) SPARC-gene knock down was achieved by using 0.4 pmole siRNA/μg of LbL NPs in FibroGRO cells and the relative expression of SPARC mRNA reduced significantly (60%) against untreated cells. The cytotoxicity as evaluated by xCelligence real-time cell proliferation and MTT cell assay, indicated that the SPARC-siRNA-loaded LbL NPs are non-toxic. In conclusion, the LbL NP system described provides a promising, safe and efficient delivery platform as a non-viral vector for siRNA delivery that uses biopolymers to enhance the gene knock down efficiency for the development of siRNA therapeutics.

Role of the templating approach in influencing the suitability of polymeric nanocapsules for drug delivery: LbL vs SC/MS

Polymer nanocapsules play an increasingly important role for drug delivery applications. Layer-by-layer (LbL) templated synthesis has received the widest attention to fabricate polymer nanocapsules. However, for drug delivery applications, the LbL approach may not necessarily offer the optimum nanocapsules. We make the first attempt to compare the LbL approach with a more recently developed solid core/mesoporous shell (SC/MS) templated approach in context of their suitability for construction of sub-500 nm sized capsules for drug delivery applications. The nanocapsules of chitosan, poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) are fabricated using LbL and SC/MS templating approaches and loaded with curcumin, a model lipophilic anticancer drug. The influence of the templating approach on capsule aggregation, polymer loading, drug loading, cellular uptake, and therapeutic efficacy against MCF-7 breast cancer cells is compared in an effort to identify the most suitable fabrication method and polymer material for drug delivery applications. In combination, among different tested nanocapsules, chitosan nanocapsules fabricated using the SC/MS approach are found to be the most promising candidate that demonstrates the optimum cytotoxic efficiency and significant potential for drug delivery.

25th anniversary article: Dynamic interfaces for responsive encapsulation systems

Encapsulation systems are urgently needed both as micrometer and sub-micrometer capsules for active chemicals' delivery, to encapsulate biological objects and capsules immobilized on surfaces for a wide variety of advanced applications. Methods for encapsulation, prolonged storage and controllable release are discussed in this review. Formation of stimuli responsive systems via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, as well as via mobile chemical bonding (hydrogen bonds, chemisorptions) and formation of special dynamic stoppers are presented. The most essential advances of the systems presented are multifunctionality and responsiveness to a multitude of stimuli - the possibility of formation of multi-modal systems. Specific examples of advanced applications - drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, lab-on-chip and organ-on-chip, bio-sensors, membranes, templates for synthesis, optical systems, and antifouling, self-healing materials and coatings - are provided. Finally, we try to outline emerging developments.

Stimuli-responsive LbL capsules and nanoshells for drug delivery

Review of basic principles and recent developments in the area of stimuli responsive polymeric capsules and nanoshells formed via layer-by-layer (LbL) is presented. The most essential attributes of the LbL approach are multifunctionality and responsiveness to a multitude of stimuli. The stimuli can be logically divided into three categories: physical (light, electric, magnetic, ultrasound, mechanical, and temperature), chemical (pH, ionic strength, solvent, and electrochemical) and biological (enzymes and receptors). Using these stimuli, numerous functionalities of nanoshells have been demonstrated: encapsulation, release including that inside living cells or in tissue, sensors, enzymatic reactions, enhancement of mechanical properties, and fusion. This review describes mechanisms and basic principles of stimuli effects, describes progress in the area, and gives an outlook on emerging trends such as theranostics and nanomedicine.

Multilayer coating of gold nanoparticles with drug-polymer coadsorbates

The aim of our present study was the development of a drug multilayer-based carrier system for delivery of water-insoluble drugs. As drug, we applied the anticancer drug 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin, mTHPP, which is a model photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with a diameter of 14.5 ± 0.9 nm were prepared and used as template for the layer-by-layer approach. The drug and the negatively charged polyelectrolyte (PE) poly(styrene sulfonate) sodium salt (PSS) were complexed with a new developed method using freeze-drying. The complexation efficiency was determined to be ∼11-12 monomers PSS per mTHPP molecule by CHNS analysis and UV/vis measurement. Molecular docking simulations revealed π-π interactions and H-bonding to be the responsible mechanisms. A drug multilayer system based on the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique utilized the water-soluble complex as anionic layer material and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) as cationic layer. The modified AuNP were characterized by different physicochemical techniques such as UV/vis, ζ-potential, ICP-OES, and TEM. To the best of our knowledge, we could demonstrate for the first time the adsorption of three drug layers to a nanoparticulate system. Furthermore, the adaptation of the LbL-technique resulted in drastically increased drug deposition efficiency (factor of 100). Furthermore, we developed a new and comfortable way to solubilize water-insoluble drugs in water.

Template-assisted fabrication of magnetically responsive hollow titania capsules

This study reports on the fabrication of magnetically responsive hollow titania capsules by confining the superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles within a hollow and porous titania (TiO(2)) shell. The employed protocol involves precipitation of titania shell on the magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) encapsulated polystyrene beads followed by the calcination of resulting composite particles at elevated temperature. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal the presence of a thick, complete but irregular titania shell on the magnetic polystyrene beads after the templating process. Electron energy loss mapping image analysis has been employed to investigate the spatial distribution of titania and magnetite phases of magnetic hollow titania capsules (MHTCs). Magnetic characterization indicates that both titania-coated magnetic polystyrene beads (TMPBs) and MHTCs are superparamagnetic in nature with the saturated magnetizations of 5.6 and 8.1 emu/g, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that titania shell of these capsules is composed of photoactive anatase phase. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis has been employed to estimate the specific surface area and the average pore diameter of the fabricated hollow structures. Photocatalytic activity of the fabricated MHTCs for the photodegradation of rhodamine 6G dye has been demonstrated and compared with that of bulk titania nanoparticles.

Hydrophobic iron oxide and CdSe/ZnS nanocrystal loaded polyglutamate/polyelectrolyte micro- and nanocapsules

A novel, simple and generic method for the preparation of hydrophobic nanocrystal loaded composite capsules is introduced. Firstly, magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanocrystals prepared by pyrolysis of fatty acid iron salts in non-aqueous media were successfully incorporated into water-dispersible polyglutamate/polyelectrolyte capsules by combining an ultrasonic protocol and polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly. Then, inspired by the similar synthesis mechanism of oxide and semiconductor nanocrystals based on organometallic approaches in non-aqueous media, two kinds of fluorescent semiconductor quantum dots (zinc sulfide-capped cadmium selenide nanocrystals) were chosen as models to explore QD loaded composite capsules. With rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RBITC) tagging PEI as outer layers, fluorescence micrographs and confocal microscopy images indicate that CdSe/ZnS QDs were successfully incorporated into polyglutamate/polyelectrolyte capsules with almost unchanged optical properties and the color of RBITC tagging PEI shell can be changed under different excitation. Color transformation ascribed to spectral conversion of embedded QDs was also observed after the capsules were stored under day light for days. TEM, electron diffraction (ED), and ESEM revealed that the method leads to well-defined nanocrystal loaded composite nanocapsules and is simple and generic.

Multi-layer films of block copolymer micelles adsorbed to colloidal templates

Alternating layers of cationic and anionic block copolymer micelles have been deposited onto colloidal silica particles using a layer-by-layer approach. The resulting films have been investigated using a number of characterization techniques including zeta potential measurements, dynamic light scattering, thermo-gravimetric analysis and microscopy. The micelles used here demonstrate pH-responsive behaviour both in solution and when adsorbed at interfaces. It has been shown that block copolymer micelles can selectively encapsulate and release hydrophobic materials; therefore, the incorporation of such responsive species within films has the potential to offer increased functionality. The formation of films onto colloidal particles is of great interest as it can provide pathways to direct encapsulation of materials along with surface modification. This study aims to provide new insights into the nature and properties of responsive films. Such studies will allow for the future development of novel delivery systems that have potential application within a number of industrial sectors including personal care products, pharmaceuticals and agro-chemicals.

Grafted ionomer complexes and their effect on protein adsorption on silica and polysulfone surfaces

We have studied the formation and the stability of ionomer complexes from grafted copolymers (GICs) in solution and the influence of GIC coatings on the adsorption of the proteins β-lactoglobulin (β-lac), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and lysozyme (Lsz) on silica and polysulfone. The GICs consist of the grafted copolymer PAA₂₈-co-PAPEO₂₂ {poly(acrylic acid)-co-poly[acrylate methoxy poly(ethylene oxide)]} with negatively charged AA and neutral APEO groups, and the positively charged homopolymers: P2MVPI₄₃ [poly(N-methyl 2-vinyl pyridinium iodide)] and PAH∙HCl₁₆₀ [poly(allylamine hydrochloride)]. In solution, these aggregates are characterized by means of dynamic and static light scattering. They appear to be assemblies with hydrodynamic radii of 8 nm (GIC-PAPEO₂₂/P2MVPI₄₃) and 22 nm (GIC-PAPEO₂₂/PAH∙HCl₁₆₀), respectively. The GICs partly disintegrate in solution at salt concentrations above 10 mM NaCl. Adsorption of GICs and proteins has been studied with fixed angle optical reflectometry at salt concentrations ranging from 1 to 50 mM NaCl. Adsorption of GICs results in high density PEO side chains on the surface. Higher densities were obtained for GICs consisting of PAH∙HCl₁₆₀ (1.6 ÷ 1.9 chains/nm²) than of P2MVPI₄₃ (0.6 ÷ 1.5 chains/nm²). Both GIC coatings strongly suppress adsorption of all proteins on silica (>90%); however, reduction of protein adsorption on polysulfone depends on the composition of the coating and the type of protein. We observed a moderate reduction of β-lac and Lsz adsorption (>60%). Adsorption of BSA on the GIC-PAPEO₂₂/P2MVPI₄₃ coating is moderately reduced, but on the GIC-PAPEO₂₂/PAH∙HCl₁₆₀ coating it is enhanced.