title: Unimolecular micelles based on hydrophobically derivatized hyperbranched polyglycerols: ligand binding properties.
abstract: This paper discusses the binding and release properties of hydrophobically modified hyperbranched polyglycerol-polyethylene glycol copolymers that were originally developed as human serum albumin (HSA) substitutes. Their unimolecular micellar nature in aqueous solution has been proven by size measurements and other spectroscopic methods. These polymers aggregate weakly in solution, but the aggregates are broken down by low shear forces or by encapsulating a hydrophobic ligand within the polymer. The small molecule binding properties of these polymers are compared with those of HSA. The preliminary in vitro paclitaxel release studies showed very promising sustained drug release characteristics achieved by these unimolecular micelles.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Blood Research, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada.
authors.forename: Rajesh Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kainthan
authors.forename: Clement
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mugabe
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Burt
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008024:Ligands; D008823:Micelles; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D050091:Dendrimers; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008024:Ligands; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D011721:Pyrenes; D012709:Serum Albumin; C043941:polyglycerol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C030984:pyrene; D017239:Paclitaxel; D005990:Glycerol