title: Core/shell protein-reactive nanogels via a combination of RAFT polymerization and vinyl sulfone postmodification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A promising nanogel vaccine platform was expanded toward antigen conjugation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Block copolymers containing a reactive ester solvophobic block and a PEG-like solvophilic block were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization. Following self-assembly in DMSO, the esters allow for core-crosslinking and hydrophilization by amide bond formation with primary amines. Free thiols were accessed at the polymer chain ends through aminolysis of the reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer groups, and into the nanogel core by reactive ester conversion with cysteamine. Subsequently, free thiols were converted into vinyl sulfone moieties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite sterical constraints, nanogel-associated vinyl sulfone moieties remained well accessible for cysteins to enforce protein conjugation successfully.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our present findings provide a next step toward well-defined vaccine nanoparticles that can co-deliver antigen and a molecular adjuvant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.|Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry & California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Nane
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vanparijs
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nuhn
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry & California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Paluck
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kokkinopoulou
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lieberwirth
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry & California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Heather D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Maynard
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bruno G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: De Geest
mesh_terms: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D003543:Cysteamine / Q000737:chemistry; D065546:Drug Liberation; D004952:Esters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013450:Sulfones / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004952:Esters; D005782:Gels; D053769:Nanocapsules; D011108:Polymers; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013450:Sulfones; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C009873:divinyl sulfone; D003543:Cysteamine
keywords: RAFT polymerization; antigen conjugate; end-group modification; nanogels; reactive ester