Self-immolative polymersomes for high-efficiency triggered release and programmed enzymatic reactions.
Stimuli-triggered disassembly of block copolymer vesicles or polymersomes has been conventionally achieved via solubility switching of the bilayer-forming block, requiring cooperative changes of most of the repeating units. Herein we report an alternative approach by incorporating hydrophobic blocks exhibiting stimuli-triggered head-to-tail cascade depolymerization features. Amphiphilic block copolymers bearing this motif self-assemble into self-immolative polymersomes (SIPsomes). By modular design of terminal capping moieties, visible light, UV light, and reductive milieu can be utilized to actuate SIPsomes disintegration into water-soluble small molecules and hydrophilic blocks. The design of SIPsomes allows for triggered drug co-release and controllable access toward protons, oxygen, and enzymatic substrates. We also demonstrate programmed (OR-, AND-, and XOR-type logic) enzymatic reactions by integrating SIPsome encapsulation and trigger/capping moiety-selective cascade depolymerization events.
CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China , Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
Guhuan
G
Liu
Xiaorui
X
Wang
Jinming
J
Hu
Guoying
G
Zhang
Shiyong
S
Liu
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008027:Light; D008049:Lipase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013499:Surface Properties
D011108:Polymers; D008049:Lipase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase