Abstract
In the context of controlled delivery and release, proteins constitute a delicate class of cargo requiring advanced delivery platforms and protection. We here show that mechanoresponsive diselenide-crosslinked microgels undergo controlled ultrasound-triggered degradation in aqueous solution for the release of proteins. Simultaneously, the proteins are protected from chemical and conformational damage by the microgels, which disintegrate to water-soluble polymer chains upon sonication. The degradation process is controlled by the amount of diselenide crosslinks, the temperature, and the sonication amplitude. We demonstrate that the ultrasound-mediated cleavage of diselenide bonds in these microgels facilitates the release and activates latent functionality preventing the oxidation and denaturation of the encapsulated proteins (cytochrome C and myoglobin) opening new application possibilities in the targeted delivery of biomacromolecules.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 11304-11311 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Chemical Science |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 38 |
Early online date | 1 Aug 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 Oct 2022 |
Keywords
- STIMULI-RESPONSIVE MICROGELS
- AMINO-ACID-RESIDUES
- CYTOCHROME-C
- GLUTATHIONE-PEROXIDASE
- FUNCTIONAL MICROGELS
- OXIDATION
- NANOGELS
- POLY(N-VINYLCAPROLACTAM)
- SENSITIVITY
- POLYMERS