Microfluidic-Assisted Engineering of Quasi-Monodisperse pH-Responsive Polymersomes toward Advanced Platforms for the Intracellular Delivery of Hydrophilic Therapeutics

Author(s)

Albuquerque, Lindomar J. C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Sincari, Vladimir ^[2] ; Jager, Alessandro ^[2] ; Konefal, Rafal ^[2] ; Panek, Jiri ^[2] ; Cernoch, Peter ^[2] ; Pavlova, Ewa ^[2] ; Stepanek, Petr ^[2] ; Giacomelli, Fernando C. ^[1] ; Jager, Eliezer ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, Ave Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Santo Andre - Brazil

^[2] Inst Macromol Chem, Heyrovskeho Nam 2, Prague 16206 6 - Czech Republic

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Langmuir; v. 35, n. 25, p. 8363-8372, JUN 25 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The extracellular and subcellular compartments are characterized by specific pH levels that can be modified by pathophysiological states. This scenario encourages the use of environmentally responsive nanomedicines for the treatment of damaged cells. We have engineered doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded pH-responsive polymersomes using poly({[}N-(2-hydroxypropyl)]-methacrylamide)-b-poly{[}2-(diisopropylamin o)ethyl methacrylate] block copolymers (PHPMA(m)-b-PDPA(n)). We demonstrate that, by taking advantage of the microfluidic technology, quasi-monodisperse assemblies can be created. This feature is of due relevance because highly uniform nanoparticles commonly exhibit more consistent biodistribution and cellular uptake. We also report that the size of the polymer vesicles can be tuned by playing with the inherent mechanical parameters of the microfluidic protocol. This new knowledge can be used to engineer size-specific nanomedicines for enhanced tumor accumulation if the manufacturing is performed with previous knowledge of tumor characteristics (particularly the degree of vascularity and porosity). The pH dependent DOX release was further investigated evidencing the ability of polymersome to sustain encapsulated hydrophilic molecules when circulating in physiological environment (pH 7.4). This suggests nonrelevant drug leakage during systemic circulation. On the other hand, polymersome disassembly in slightly acid environments takes place enabling fast DOX release, thereby making the colloidal carriers highly cytotoxic. These features encourage the use of such advanced pH-responsive platforms to target damaged cells while preserving healthy environments during systemic circulation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/11261-0 - Synthesis of PHPMA-b-PDPA, PEO-b-PDPA and RGD-PHPMA-b-PDPA conjugates with further engineering of pH-responsive polymersomes towards the encapsulation and delivery of hydrophilic biomacromolecules
• Grantee: Lindomar Jose Calumby Albuquerque
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/00459-4 - Biophysicochemical interactions at the nanobiointerface: the effect of surface features and protein corona on the cellular uptake of polymeric assemblies
• Grantee: Fernando Carlos Giacomelli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants