title: Acetalated Dextran: A Tunable and Acid-Labile Biopolymer with Facile Synthesis and a Range of Applications.
abstract: Acetalated dextran (Ac-DEX) is a tunable acid-labile biopolymer with facile synthesis, aptly designed for the formulation of microparticles for vaccines and immune modulation. Tunability of degradation is achieved based on the kinetics of reaction and the molecular weight of the parent dextran polymer. This tunability translated to differential rates of activation of CD8+ T cells in an in vitro ovalbumin model and illustrated that acid-labile polymer can activate CD8+ T cells at an increased rate compared to acid-insensitive polymers. In addition, Ac-DEX has been used to encapsulate small molecules, deliver nucleotides, transport inorganic molecules, formulate immune modulating therapies and vaccines, and trigger pH responsive constructs for therapy. Here we highlight the properties and results of Ac-DEX nano-/microparticles as well as the use of the polymer in other constructs and chemistries.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8572-888X
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bachelder
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Erica N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Pino
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Kristy M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ainslie
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D001704:Biopolymers; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003911:Dextrans