HPMA-based block copolymers promote differential drug delivery kinetics for hydrophobic and amphiphilic molecules.

We describe a method how polymeric nanoparticles stabilized with (2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA)-based block copolymers are used as drug delivery systems for a fast release of hydrophobic and a controlled release of an amphiphilic molecule. The versatile method of the miniemulsion solvent-evaporation technique was used to prepare polystyrene (PS) as well as poly-d/l-lactide (PDLLA) nanoparticles. Covalently bound or physically adsorbed fluorescent dyes labeled the particles' core and their block copolymer corona. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in combination with flow cytometry measurements were applied to demonstrate the burst release of a fluorescent hydrophobic drug model without the necessity of nanoparticle uptake. In addition, CLSM studies and quantitative calculations using the image processing program Volocity® show the intracellular detachment of the amphiphilic block copolymer from the particles' core after uptake. Our findings offer the possibility to combine the advantages of a fast release for hydrophobic and a controlled release for an amphiphilic molecule therefore pointing to the possibility to a 'multi-step and multi-site' targeting by one nanocarrier. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We describe thoroughly how different components of a nanocarrier end up in cells. This enables different cargos of a nanocarrier having a consecutive release and delivery of distinct components. Most interestingly we demonstrate individual kinetics of distinct components of such a system: first the release of a fluorescent hydrophobic drug model at contact with the cell membrane without the necessity of nanoparticle uptake. Secondly, the intracellular detachment of the amphiphilic block copolymer from the particles' core after uptake occurs. This offers the possibility to combine the advantages of a fast release for a hydrophobic substance at the time of interaction of the nanoparticle with the cell surface and a controlled release for an amphiphilic molecule later on therefore pointing to the possibility to a 'multi-step and multisite' targeting by one nanocarrier. We therefore feel that this could be used for many cellular systems where the combined and orchestrated delivery of components is prerequisite in order to obtain the highest efficiency.

Degradable cationic nanohydrogel particles for stimuli-responsive release of siRNA.

Well-defined nanogels have become quite attractive as safe and stable carriers for siRNA delivery. However, to avoid nanoparticle accumulation, they need to provide a stimuli-responsive degradation mechanism that can be activated at the payload's site of action. In this work, the synthetic concept for generating well-defined nanohydrogel particles is extended to incorporate disulfide cross-linkers into a cationic nanonetwork for redox-triggered release of oligonucleotide payload as well as nanoparticle degradation under reductive conditions of the cytoplasm. Therefore, a novel disulfide-modified spermine cross-linker is designed that both allows disassembly of the nanogel as well as removal of cationic charge from residual polymer fragments. The degradation process is monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Moreover, siRNA release is analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and a fluorescent RNA detection assay. The results exemplify the versatility of the applied nanogel manufacturing process, which allows alternative stimuli-responsive core cross-linkers to be integrated for triggered oligonucleotide release as well as effective biodegradation for reduced nanotoxicity.

18F-Radiolabeling, preliminary evaluation of folate-pHPMA conjugates via PET.

The synthesis of a 10.5 kDa and a 52.5 kDa polymer, based on pHPMA functionalized with tyramine for (18) F-labeling and a folate derivative as targeting moiety, is reported. FCS studies are conducted using Oregon Green-labeled conjugates. No aggregation is observed for the 10.5 kDa conjugate, but strong aggregation for the 52.5 kDa conjugate. In vivo studies are conducted using Walker-256 mammary carcinoma model to determine body distribution as function of size and especially targeting unit. These in vivo studies show a higher short time (2 h) accumulation for both conjugates in the tumor than for untargeted pHPMA, confirmed by blockade studies. The 10.5 kDa polymer accumulates with 0.46% ID g(-1) and the 52.5 kDa polymer with 0.28% ID g(-1) in the tumor after 2 h, demonstrating the potential of the folate-targeting concept.

Polypeptoid-block-polypeptide copolymers: synthesis, characterization, and application of amphiphilic block Copolypept(o)ides in drug formulations and miniemulsion techniques.

We report the synthesis of polysarcosine-block-polyglutamic acid benzylester (PSar-block-PGlu(OBn)) and polysarcosine-block-polylysine-ε-N-benzyloxycarbonyl (PSar-block-PLys(Z)) copolymers. The novel polypeptoid-block-polypeptide copolymers (Copolypept(o)ides) have been synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). Polymerization conditions were optimized regarding protecting groups, block sequence and length. While the degree of polymerization of the PSar block length was set to be around 200 or 400, PGlu(OBn) and PLys(Z) block lengths were varied between 20 to 75. The obtained block copolymers had a total degree of polymerization of 220-475 and dispersity indices between 1.1 and 1.2. Having ensured a nontoxic behavior up to a concentration of 3 mg/mL in HEK293 cells, the novel block copolymers have been applied to the synthesis of organic colloids (by miniemulsion polymerization and miniemulsion solvent evaporation process). Colloids of around 100 nm (miniemulsion polymerization) to 200 nm (miniemulsion process) have been prepared. Additionally, PSar-block-PGlu(OBn) copolymers have been used in a drug formulation of an adenylate cyclase inhibitor. Micelles of 28.0 nm (without drug) and 33.0 nm (with drug) diameter have been observed by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). The polypeptoid-block-polypeptide formulation increased solubility of the drug and enhances its bioavailability, which leads to a reduction of intracellular cAMP levels in MaMel 91 melanoma cells.

HPMA copolymers as surfactants in the preparation of biocompatible nanoparticles for biomedical application.

In this work we describe the application of amphiphilic N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA)-based copolymers as polymeric surfactants in miniemulsion techniques. HPMA-based copolymers with different ratios of HPMA (hydrophilic) to laurylmethacrylate (LMA; hydrophobic) units were synthesized by RAFT polymerization and postpolymerization modification. The amphiphilic polymers can act as detergents in both the miniemulsion polymerization of styrene and the miniemulsion process in combination with solvent evaporation, which was applied to polystyrene and polylactide. Under optimized conditions, monodisperse colloids can be prepared. The most promising results could be obtained by using the block copolymer with a ratio of 90/10. Preliminary cell uptake studies showed that polymer-stabilized nanoparticles have only minor unspecific cellular internalization in HeLa cells. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays showed no particle-attributed toxicity. In addition, the copolymer-stabilized particles preserved the shape and size in human blood serum as demonstrated by dynamic light scattering.