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    Polymersome-Loaded Capsules for Controlled Release of DNA

    Year: 2011

    Journal: Small (2011), 7: 2109–2119, 20110906

    Authors: Lomas H, Johnston AP, Such GK, Zhu Z, Liang K, van Koeverden MP, Alongkornchotikul S, Caruso F.

    Last authors: Frank Caruso

    Organizations: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia

    Country: Australia

    The formation of a novel drug-delivery carrier for the controlled release of plasmid DNA that comprises layer-by-layer polymer capsules subcompartmentalized with pH-sensitive nanometer-sized polymersomes is reported. The amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate)-block-poly(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) forms polymersomes at physiological pH, but transitions to unimeric polymer chains upon acidification to cellular endocytic pH. These polymersomes can thus release an encapsulated payload in response to a change in pH from physiological to endocytic conditions. Multicomponent layer-by-layer capsules are formed by exploiting the ability of tannic acid to act as an efficient hydrogen-bond donor for both the polymersomes and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) at physiological pH. These capsules show release of a plasmid DNA payload encapsulated within the polymersome subcompartments in response to changes in pH between physiological and endocytic conditions.