Biodegradable zwitterionic nanoparticles with tunable UCST-type phase separation under physiological conditions

摘要: Thermo-responsive polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging as a powerful tool in nanomedicine for the fabrication of advanced drug delivery systems. In addition to their size and biodegradation rate, phase separation NPs upon application thermal stimulus provides an additional switch control rate release active components. Among materials currently developed biomedical applications, stabilized by zwitterionic polymers gaining increasing interest due high stability ability escape body immune response. Yet, biodegradable with temperature response under physiological conditions not available. Here, we develop new class that exhibit UCST transition biological range (T = 30–45 °C) solution (i.e. 0.9% w/w NaCl). We design strategy relies on self-assembly block copolymers produced via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) emulsion polymerization. These comprise portion exhibiting upper critical (UCST) hydrophobic consisting oligoesters functionalized vinyl group. This modular macromolecular architecture allows us independently variety NP properties modifying individual components copolymer. particular, controls UCST-type behavior, while number oligoester repeating units governs length dictates degradation rate. After demonstrating synthesis highly controlled degradable NPs, show potential this context controlling drug-mimic molecule variations broad time from few minutes 20 hours.