Folate‐Conjugated Poly(N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide)‐block‐Poly(benzyl methacrylate): Synthesis,Self‐Assembly,and Drug Release |
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Authors: | Chuan Wei Keyi Wu Jumei Li Wanfu Ma Jia Guo Jun Hu Changchun Wang |
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Institution: | 1. State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, and Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China;2. Department of Chemistry and Integrated Biosciences, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325‐3601, USA |
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Abstract: | Well‐defined amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide)‐block‐poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PHPMA‐b‐PBnMA) are synthesized using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The terminal dithiobenzoate groups are converted into carboxylic acids. The copolymers self‐assemble into micelles with a PBnMA core and PHPMA shell. Their mean size is <30 nm, and can be regulated by the length of the hydrophilic chain. The compatibility between the hydrophobic segment and the drug doxorubicin (DOX) affords more interaction of the cores with DOX. Fluorescence spectra are used to determine the critical micelle concentration of the folate‐conjugated amphiphilic block copolymer. Dynamic light scattering measurements reveal the stability of the micelles with or without DOX. Drug release experiments show that the DOX‐loaded micelles are stable under simulated circulation conditions and the DOX can be quickly released under acidic endosome pH. |
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Keywords: | biological applications of polymers block copolymers drug delivery systems reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) |
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