title: Enzymatically Triggered, Isothermally Responsive Polymers: Reprogramming Poly(oligoethylene glycols) To Respond to Phosphatase.
abstract: Polymers which can respond to externally applied stimuli have found much application in the biomedical field due to their (reversible) coil-globule transitions. Polymers displaying a lower critical solution temperature are the most commonly used, but for blood-borne (i.e., soluble) biomedical applications the application of heat is not always possible, nor practical. Here we report the design and synthesis of poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate)-based polymers whose cloud points are easily varied by alkaline phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation. By fine-tuning the density of phosphate groups on the backbone, it was possible to induce an isothermal transition: A change in solubility triggered by removal of a small number of phosphate esters from the side chains activating the LCST-type response. As there was no temperature change involved, this serves as a model of a cell-instructed polymer response. Finally, it was found that both polymers were non cytotoxic against MCF-7 cells (at 1 mg·mL(-1)), which confirms promise for biomedical applications.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick , Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Phillips
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Reading , Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom.
authors: Marleen
authors: M
authors: Wilde
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Reading , Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Greco
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick , Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
authors: Matthew I
authors: MI
authors: Gibson
mesh_terms: D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases