Issue 2, 2020

pH-Responsive protein nanoparticles via conjugation of degradable PEG to the surface of cytochrome c

Abstract

Proteins represent a versatile biopolymer material for the preparation of nanoparticles. For drug delivery applications an acid-triggered disassembly and payload release is preferred. Herein, we present a protein nanoparticle system based on cytochrome c, which is surface-modified with acid-degradable polyethylene glycol (PEGylation). pH-Sensitivity was obtained through vinyl ether moieties distributed in the polyether backbone. When PEGylated, cytochrome c shows a different solubility behaviour in organic solvents, which allows for particle preparation using an emulsion-based solvent evaporation method. The resulting particles are stable under physiological conditions but degrade at acidic pH values. Fluorescence-labelled dextran was successfully encapsulated as a hydrophilic model payload in these degradable nanoparticles and a release under acidic conditions was observed.

Graphical abstract: pH-Responsive protein nanoparticles via conjugation of degradable PEG to the surface of cytochrome c

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Aug 2019
Accepted
16 Oct 2019
First published
17 Oct 2019

Polym. Chem., 2020,11, 551-559

pH-Responsive protein nanoparticles via conjugation of degradable PEG to the surface of cytochrome c

E. Steiert, J. Ewald, A. Wagner, U. A. Hellmich, H. Frey and P. R. Wich, Polym. Chem., 2020, 11, 551 DOI: 10.1039/C9PY01162E

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