Oxidation-responsive polymeric vesicles

Nat Mater. 2004 Mar;3(3):183-9. doi: 10.1038/nmat1081. Epub 2004 Feb 15.

Abstract

Vesicles formed in water by synthetic macro-amphiphiles have attracted much attention as nanocontainers having properties that extend the physical and chemical limits of liposomes. We sought to develop ABA block copolymeric amphiphiles that self-assemble into unilamellar vesicles that can be further oxidatively destabilized. We selected poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the hydrophilic A blocks, owing to its resistance to protein adsorption and low toxicity. As hydrophobic B blocks, we selected poly(propylene sulphide) (PPS), owing to its extreme hydrophobicity, its low glass-transition temperature, and most importantly its oxidative conversion from a hydrophobe to a hydrophile, poly(propylene sulphoxide) and ultimately poly(propylene sulphone). This is the first example of the use of oxidative conversions to destabilize such carriers. This new class of oxidation-responsive polymeric vesicles may find applications as nanocontainers in drug delivery, biosensing and biodetection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Oxidation-Reduction*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Hydrogen Peroxide