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Block copolymer crystalsomes with an ultrathin shell to extend blood circulation time
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Block copolymer crystalsomes with an ultrathin shell to extend blood circulation time

Hao Qi, Hao Zhou, Qiyun Tang, Jee Young Lee, Zhiyuan Fan, Seyong Kim, Mark C Staub, Tian Zhou, Shan Mei, Lin Han, …
Nature communications, v 9(1), pp 3005-10
01 Aug 2018
PMID: 30068976
url
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05396-xView
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Tissue Distribution Polyesters - chemistry Animals Capsid - chemistry Computer Simulation Crystallization Female Polyethylene Glycols - chemistry Polymers - chemistry Mice, Inbred BALB C Liposomes Blood Circulation Time
In water, amphiphilic block copolymers (BCPs) can self-assemble into various micelle structures depicting curved liquid/liquid interface. Crystallization, which is incommensurate with this curved space, often leads to defect accumulation and renders the structures leaky, undermining their potential biomedical applications. Herein we report using an emulsion-solution crystallization method to control the crystallization of an amphiphilic BCP, poly (L-lactide acid)-b-poly (ethylene glycol) (PLLA-b-PEG), at curved liquid/liquid interface. The resultant BCP crystalsomes (BCCs) structurally mimic the classical polymersomes and liposomes yet mechanically are more robust thanks to the single crystal-like crystalline PLLA shell. In blood circulation and biodistribution experiments, fluorophore-loaded BCCs show a 24 h circulation half-life and a 8% particle retention in the blood even at 96 h post injection. We further demonstrate that this good performance can be attributed to controlled polymer crystallization and the unique BCC nanostructure.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
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