Mechanoresponsive diselenide-crosslinked microgels with programmed ultrasound-triggered degradation and radical scavenging ability for protein protection

T. Kharandiuk*, K.H. Tan, W.J. Xu, F. Weitenhagen, S. Braun, R. Gostl, A. Pich*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11304-11311
Number of pages9
JournalChemical Science
Volume13
Issue number38
Early online date1 Aug 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Oct 2022

Keywords

  • STIMULI-RESPONSIVE MICROGELS
  • AMINO-ACID-RESIDUES
  • CYTOCHROME-C
  • GLUTATHIONE-PEROXIDASE
  • FUNCTIONAL MICROGELS
  • OXIDATION
  • NANOGELS
  • POLY(N-VINYLCAPROLACTAM)
  • SENSITIVITY
  • POLYMERS

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