Review
Polymer Science
Spyridon Varlas, Georgia L. Maitland, Matthew J. Derry
Summary: The article discusses the strategies for constructing protein, (poly)peptide, and amino acid-based nanostructures via PISA, highlighting the potential value of these methods in biomedical applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Grzegorz Markiewicz, Adrianna Szmulewicz, Lukasz Majchrzycki, Maarten M. J. Smulders, Artur R. Stefankiewicz
Summary: Hydrogen-bonded polymers are highly dynamic supramolecular aggregates that can self-assemble through external or internal stimuli. This study finds that chiral biphenyldiimides derived from amino acids can self-assemble into open-chain 1D supramolecular polymers, and the amino acid side chains play an important role in stabilizing or destabilizing the assemblies. Significant differences in the polymerization process are observed between dynamic liquid and static solid. This work demonstrates the potential of diimide-based organic dyes in the formation of chiral supramolecular assemblies with tunable properties.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Juliane Schymura, Martin Held, Prokopios Georgopanos
Summary: In this study, the researchers successfully scaled up the RAFT emulsion polymerization of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-polystyrene to achieve the synthesis of desired polymers. The influences on emulsion stability, reaction kinetics, and product quality were examined and compared between small-scale and bench-scale syntheses. The effects of scale-up on the thermosensitive behavior of the block copolymer and emulsion stability were investigated through temperature-dependent dynamic light scattering measurements.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Albert Prause, Michelle Hechenbichler, Robert F. Schmidt, Sylvain Prevost, Leide P. Cavalcanti, Andre Laschewsky, Michael Gradzielski
Summary: Oil-in-water microemulsions usually have low viscosity and exhibit ordinary viscosity reduction with increasing temperature. However, for certain applications, it might be necessary to avoid or even reverse the temperature trend. This can be achieved by adding thermoresponsive block copolymers that induce network formation as the temperature increases. The viscosity enhancement with increasing temperature was observed for various microemulsion-polymer mixtures, and the most pronounced enhancement was observed for pNPAm-based systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenheng Xu, Zhanwen Xu, Chunhua Cai, Jiaping Lin, Liang Gao, Huimin Qi, Shaoliang Lin
Summary: This study demonstrates that a binary system containing polypeptide-based block copolymers and homopolymers can self-assemble into well-defined spiral spheres (3D spirals), while mixing polypeptide block copolymers with opposite backbone chirality leads to the formation of meridian spheres. The research enriches the study of spiral assemblies and provides a facile route to switch chiral/achiral nanostructures by regulating the packing manner of the pendant groups.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucas W. Teunissen, Andriy R. Kuzmyn, Francesco S. Ruggeri, Maarten M. J. Smulders, Han Zuilhof
Summary: In this study, thermoresponsive poly(N-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)pyrrolidone) brushes were synthesized and polymerized on silicon oxide substrates via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The reversible thermoresponsive behavior of the brushes was demonstrated, and their antifouling properties were tested in aqueous media.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Priyanka Dinda, Mahammad Anas, Palash Banerjee, Tarun K. Mandal
Summary: This study focuses on the design of a Boc-lysine-based monomer and its reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization to synthesize polymers with controllable molecular weights and low dispersities. These polymers show interesting upper critical solution temperature (UCST) and cloud point behavior in mixed solvents, as well as a tunable lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and cloud point under different conditions.
Article
Polymer Science
Chia-Hsin Ko, Cristiane Henschel, Geethu P. Meledam, Martin A. Schroer, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Andre Laschewsky, Christine M. Papadakis
Summary: The temperature-dependent phase behavior and self-assembly behavior of a thermoresponsive amphiphilic diblock copolymer in aqueous solution were studied, revealing a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior at 31.1 degrees Celsius and the formation of different structures of micelles.
Article
Polymer Science
Rini Sharma, Natrajan Vijay, Beom Jin Kim, Hyung-il Lee
Summary: In this study, a novel fluorescent copolymer with solvatochromic and aggregation-induced emissive properties was introduced. It demonstrated significant fluorescence in nonpolar solvents and increased fluorescence intensity with increasing temperature in aqueous solution. The copolymer holds promise for temperature sensing in biological systems and bioimaging.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Albert Prause, Michelle Hechenbichler, Robert F. Schmidt, Miriam Simon, Sylvain Prevost, Leide P. Cavalcanti, Yeshayahu Talmon, Andre Laschewsky, Michael Gradzielski
Summary: Temperature control of rheological properties of aqueous solutions can be achieved by the addition of temperature-responsive amphiphilic polymers. In this study, three sets of acrylamide-based block copolymers with different architectures were explored, and their viscosities showed a substantial increase with increasing temperature. The changes in rheological properties were correlated with the mesoscopic organization of the systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Jiaxing Zhang, Yi Yao, Yangwen Zhang, Di Wu, Wen Li, Andrew K. Whittaker, Afang Zhang
Summary: Polymeric microgels with highly tunable swelling and cooperative interactions have been fabricated through in situ cross-linking polymerization. These thermoresponsive dendronized microgels demonstrate tunable microconfinement and can encapsulate solvatochromic dye molecules.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicolo Manfredini, Manuel Merigo, Juri Ilare, Mattia Sponchioni, Davide Moscatelli
Summary: In this work, stable limonene-in-water Pickering emulsions were successfully produced by synthesizing biodegradable nanoparticles through a combination of polymerization techniques. The size of the oil phase and wetting properties of limonene could be strictly controlled by tuning the physico-chemical properties of the nanoparticles. The adoption of thermo-responsive polymer chains within the emulsifiers allowed on-demand destabilization of the emulsions for selective dispensing of limonene by increasing the temperature.
Article
Polymer Science
Alexey Sivokhin, Dmitry Orekhov, Oleg Kazantsev, Olga Sivokhina, Sergey Orekhov, Denis Kamorin, Ksenia Otopkova, Michael Smirnov, Rostislav Karpov
Summary: Amphiphilic random and diblock thermoresponsive oligo(ethylene glycol)-based (co)polymers were synthesized under visible light and their thermoresponsive properties were studied.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianlai Xia, Zaizai Tong, Yujie Xie, Maria Arno, Shixing Lei, Laihui Xiao, Julia Rho, Calum Ferguson, Ian Manners, Andrew Dove, Rachel O'Reilly
Summary: Using living crystallization-driven self-assembly, we successfully fabricated controlled-size polymeric 2D platelets and achieved surface modification in the third dimension for these platelets. This method offers unprecedented spatial control, allowing selective regulation of height and fluorescence properties of the nanostructures.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shudong Zheng, Kun Liu, Peiyun Chen, Changsheng Song, Jiatao Yan, Afang Zhang
Summary: An efficient access to prepare microgels from polyrotaxanes (PRXs) with characteristic thermoresponsiveness and photocontrolled degradation is reported. These microgels have uniform spherical morphologies with controllable sizes and tunable cross-linking densities, which retained characteristic thermoresponsive properties in water. The spreading and deformation behavior of the microgels on solid substrates were investigated by AFM and found to be dominated by the cross-linking density.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Apollinariia Yu. Dzhuzha, Irina I. I. Tarasenko, Leonard Ionut Atanase, Antonina Lavrentieva, Evgenia G. G. Korzhikova-Vlakh
Summary: Synthetic poly(amino acids) are macromolecules that mimic natural polypeptides and are commonly used as carriers for drug and gene delivery. In this study, we synthesized and characterized amphiphilic copolymers by modifying poly(alpha,L-glutamic acid) with hydrophobic and basic L-amino acids and D-glucosamine. The resulting glycopolypeptides formed nanoparticles that showed reduced macrophage uptake and were non-toxic to human lung epithelial cells. These nanoparticles were also capable of loading hydrophobic drugs, such as paclitaxel, and demonstrated high cytostatic efficacy against human lung adenocarcinoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Dvoretckaia, Tatiana Egorova, Apollinariia Dzhuzha, Mariia Levit, Eugene Sivtsov, Elena Demyanova, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh
Summary: The emergence and growth of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a serious threat to humanity. This study focuses on the synthesis of new polymeric conjugates of polymyxin B, a peptide antibiotic with limited use. Different conjugates were synthesized and evaluated for their release of polymyxin B and their cytotoxicity. The antimicrobial efficacy of the conjugates against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also determined. The conjugate with PMAG as a carrier showed the most promising results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mariia Leonovich, Viktor Korzhikov-Vlakh, Antonina Lavrentieva, Iliyana Pepelanova, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh, Tatiana Tennikova
Summary: Different bones have different properties, such as their ability to remodel, porosity, and protein composition. Tissue-engineered constructs are promising for tissue defects, but their availability in clinics is limited due to the lack of resorbable materials. In this study, researchers have developed a toolbox for creating scaffolds with adjustable mechanical and biological properties using biodegradable poly(lactic acid) and nanocrystalline cellulose methacrylated particles. The results show the potential application of these materials through cytotoxicity and cell adhesion evaluations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alexey Nikiforov, Natalia Panina, Daniil Blinou, Vladislav Gurzhiy, Juliya Nashchekina, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh, Alexey Eremin, Mariia Stepanova
Summary: This study synthesized and studied carboxylate complexes of nickel(II) with different N-donor ligands for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide. Among the complexes, [Ni(DBED)(2)(O2CC(CH3)(3))(2)]center dot(CH3)(3)CCO2H showed the highest catalytic ability in the polymerization. A comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) study was conducted to understand the reaction mechanism and the role of carboxylate ligands in the process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Zashikhina, Sergei Gladnev, Vladimir Sharoyko, Viktor Korzhikov-Vlakh, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh, Tatiana Tennikova
Summary: The covalent conjugation of dexamethasone with polymeric carriers is a promising strategy to overcome its limitations. In this study, self-assembling amphiphilic polypeptides were proposed as potential delivery systems for intravitreal delivery. Nanoparticles were prepared using different polypeptides and characterized in terms of size, polydispersity, and zeta potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anastasia A. Belyaeva, Ilya V. V. Tretyakov, Alexey V. Kireynov, Yuliya A. Nashchekina, Vitaliy I. Solodilov, Evgenia G. Korzhikova-Vlakh, Sofia M. Morozova
Summary: The colloidal system based on a mixture of PNIPAM and CNC was studied, showing different states and properties at different temperatures. By controlling the ratio between PNIPAM and CNC, the system's state and properties can be adjusted, making these hydrogels promising materials for bioapplications such as extrusion printing.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. G. Sakhabeev, D. S. Polyakov, E. S. Sinitsyna, E. G. Korzhikova-Vlakh, V. A. Korzhikov-Vlakh, M. M. Shavlovsky
Summary: The effect of the composition and size of polymeric particles on the immunogenicity of beta 2-microglobulin protein was studied. Nanoparticles and microparticles showed different impacts on immune response.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Olga Solomakha, Mariia Stepanova, Iosif Gofman, Yulia Nashchekina, Maxim Rabchinskii, Alexey Nashchekin, Antonina Lavrentieva, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh
Summary: This study developed a method to modify graphene oxide (GO) with oligo/poly(glutamic acid) (oligo/poly(Glu)), which showed osteoconductive properties. The modified GO was then used as a filler in poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) composites. The mechanical properties of the composites increased by 18-27% compared to PCL/GO composites, and they also stimulated the proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and showed no cytotoxicity in human osteosarcoma cells (MG-63).
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Apollinariia Dzhuzha, Erik Gandalipov, Viktor Korzhikov-Vlakh, Elena Katernyuk, Natalia Zakharova, Sergey Silonov, Tatiana Tennikova, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh
Summary: In this study, amphiphilic polypeptide delivery systems capable of loading both hydrophobic drug and small interfering RNA were developed, providing a new approach for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Natalia Zashikhina, Erik Gandalipov, Apollinariia Dzhuzha, Viktor Korzhikov-Vlakh, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh
Summary: The present study aimed to prepare and examine novel in vitro dual-drug loaded delivery systems. Biodegradable nanoparticles were used as nanocarriers for encapsulation of two drugs, and the release patterns were affected by the pH condition. Moreover, the encapsulated forms showed comparable efficacy to the free forms.
JOURNAL OF MICROENCAPSULATION
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mariia Stepanova, Ilia Averianov, Iosif Gofman, Natalia Shevchenko, Artem Rubinstein, Tatiana Egorova, Andrey Trulioff, Yulia Nashchekina, Igor Kudryavtsev, Elena Demyanova, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh, Viktor Korzhikov-Vlakh
Summary: Over two million bone grafting surgeries are performed annually worldwide. Development of new materials for bone tissue repair is urgently needed, and additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, provides great opportunities for this field. This study proposed a one-pot technique for producing 3D scaffolds using poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) loaded with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. The drug-loaded scaffolds showed negligible effect on mechanical properties, but decreased the specific surface area of the scaffold. Drug release was faster in enzyme-containing medium and more intensive from scaffolds with a low drug load. The scaffolds containing dexamethasone (DEX) showed moderate toxicity, retained biological activity, and demonstrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatiana I. Vinogradova, Mikhail S. Serdobintsev, Evgenia G. Korzhikova-Vlakh, Viktor A. Korzhikov-Vlakh, Alexander S. Kaftyrev, Natalya M. Blum, Natalya Yu. Semenova, Dilyara S. Esmedlyaeva, Marina E. Dyakova, Yulia A. Nashchekina, Marine Z. Dogonadze, Natalia V. Zabolotnykh, Petr K. Yablonsky
Summary: This study compared the effects of autografting and implantation with a biodegradable composite scaffold for bone-defect regeneration in a tuberculosis rabbit model. The results showed that the porous three-dimensional composite materials prepared by 3D printing could promote bone regeneration and healing. This has important implications for the treatment of tuberculosis patients.
Article
Physics, Applied
N. N. Sudareva, O. M. Suvorova, E. G. Korzhikova-Vlakh, I. I. Tarasenko, K. A. Kolbe, N. Smirnova, N. N. Saprykina, D. N. Suslov
Summary: The structural and functional characteristics of various systems for delivering the antitumor drug doxorubicin were compared in this study. It was found that there were significant differences in the penetration of carriers of different sizes into the bloodstream.
