title: Glucose-oxidase based self-destructing polymeric vesicles.
abstract: We have designed oxidation-responsive vesicles from synthetic amphiphilic block copolymers ("polymersomes") of ethylene glycol and propylene sulfide. Thioethers in the hydrophobic poly(propylene sulfide) block are converted into the more hydrophilic sulfoxides and sulfones upon exposure to an oxidative environment, changing the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the macroamphiphile and thus inducing its solubilization. Here we sought to explore generation of the oxidative environment and induction of polymersome destabilization through production of hydrogen peroxide by the glucose-oxidase (GOx)/glucose/oxygen system. We studied the encapsulation of GOx within polymersomes, its stability and activity, and glucose-triggered polymersome destabilization. Stimulus-responsive polymersomes may find applications as nanocontainers in sensing devices and as drug delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Department of Materials Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and University of Zurich, CH-8044 Zurich, Switzerland. alessandro.napoli@mat.ethz.ch
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Boerakker
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: Roeland J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Nico A J M
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sommerdijk
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hubbell
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D005949:Glucose Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D005949:Glucose Oxidase