Metabolically Active, Fully Hydrolysable Polymersomes. Issue 14 (27th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Yunqing; Poma, Alessandro; Rizzello, Loris; Gouveia, Virginia M.; Ruiz‐Perez, Lorena; Battaglia, Giuseppe; Williams, Charlotte K.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 58:Issue 14(2019)
• Page Start: 4581
• Page End: 4586
• Publication Date: 2019-02-27
• Subjects: cells -- drug discovery -- polymers -- ring opening -- self-assembly; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201814320
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The synthesis and aqueous self‐assembly of a new class of amphiphilic aliphatic polyesters are presented. These AB block polyesters comprise polycaprolactone (hydrophobe) and an alternating polyester from succinic acid and an ether‐substituted epoxide (hydrophile). They self‐assemble into biodegradable polymersomes capable of entering cells. Their degradation products are bioactive, giving rise to differentiated cellular responses inducing stromal cell proliferation and macrophage apoptosis. Both effects emerge only when the copolymers enter cells as polymersomes and their magnitudes are size dependent. Abstract : Class act : The synthesis and aqueous self‐assembly of a new class of amphiphilic aliphatic polyesters are presented. They self‐assemble into biodegradable polymersomes capable of entering cells. Their degradation products are bioactive, giving rise to differentiated cellular responses inducing stromal cell proliferation and macrophage apoptosis. Both effects emerge only when the copolymers enter cells as polymersomes.