title: Exploiting thermoresponsive polymers to modulate lipophilicity: interactions with model membranes.
abstract: Upon heating above their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) poly[oligo(ethyleneglycol)methacrylate]s (POEGMA) were shown to undergo a shift in their partition coefficient triggering aqueous to organic phase transfer, which indicated their potential to partition into cell membranes upon application of an external stimulus. Fluorescence-based assays indicated that the LCST transition did not induce lysis of model phospholipid vesicles but did promote fusion, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering. Membrane perturbation assays and linear dichroism spectroscopy investigations suggest that POEGMAs above their transition temperatures can interact with, or insert into, membranes. These findings will help develop the application of responsive polymers in drug delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Yussif
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saaka
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Deller
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodger
authors.forename: Matthew I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008027:Light; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D058105:Polymerization; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012756:Sheep; D013696:Temperature; D044366:Transition Temperature
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C528061:poly(poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols