Versatile design of amphiphilic glycopolypeptides nanoparticles for lectin recognition

The understanding of glycopolymer-based nanostructures formation and their lectin binding properties are of great interest to the development of drug delivery systems and other biological applications. Herein, glycosylated polypeptides were synthesized from a clickable poly(L-lysine)-b-poly(benzyl-L-glutamate) copolypeptide, obtained by a sequential ring opening polymerization. The clickable poly(L-lysine) chain was completely functionalized by introducing galactose and lactose moieties on the copolypeptide's hydrophilic block, aiming specific lectin recognition. Spheres, pearl-necklace and wormlike structures prepared from poly(L-lysine)-b-poly(benzyl-L-glutamate) copolypeptides were obtained after nanoprecipitation, depending on the hydrophilic block functionalization and the hydrophobic block length. Specific interaction between the sugars on the micelles' surface with RCA(120) lectin was observed with the PBLG40-based nano-structures. However, unexpected and unspecific interactions were observed with some nanostructures, showing the importance of the chemical functionalization and nanostructure stabilization. Such a synthetic approach can be used to develop any other amphiphilic and biofunctional polypeptide-based copolymers and nanoparticles. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.