Multilamellar hyaluronic acid-b-poly(lactic acid) polymersomes for pathology-responsive MRI enhancement

Abstract

This study introduces a biocompatible, stimuli-responsive imaging and therapeutic delivery system using ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) encapsulated within the hyaluronic acid-b-poly(lactic acid) (HA–PLA) polymersome membrane, with a model protein bovine serum albumin in the core. These multilamellar vesicles exhibit enhanced T₂-weighted MRI contrast, achieving a relaxivity 3-fold higher than existing agents. The polymersomes demonstrate acid- and enzyme-triggered degradation, enabling controlled release and measurable contrast changes in pathological environments. Preliminary in vivo and postmortem studies confirm their strong imaging performance, high biocompatibility, and targeted response to enzymatic, acidic microenvironments, paving the way for theranostic applications in disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring.