Stabilization of Polyion Complex Nanoparticles Composed of Poly(amino acid) Using Hydrophobic Interactions

• DOI: 10.1021/la902868g
• Publication Date: 2009-12-17T15:32:07Z
• Authors: Takami Akagi; Kazuki Watanabe; Hyungjin Kim; Mitsuru Akashi
• Keywords: Hydrophobic effect

We report the design and preparation of polyion complex (PIC) nanoparticles composed anionic hydrophobically modified cationic poly(amino acid) effect hydrophobic interactions on stability these PIC under physiological conditions. selected poly(γ-glutamic (γ-PGA) as biodegradable polymer poly(ε-lysine) (ε-PL) polymer. Amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting γ-PGA l-phenylalanine (l-Phe) side chain were synthesized by grafting l-Phe to γ-PGA. The prepared mixing γ-PGA-graft-l-Phe (γ-PGA-Phe) with ε-PL in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). formation investigated dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Monomodal obtained using nonstoichiometric ratios. When unmodified was mixed PBS, observed. However, within a few hours after preparation, dissolved PBS. In contrast, γ-PGA-Phe/ε-PL showed high for prolonged period time PBS over wide range pH values. size depended ratio hydrophobicity improved attributed domains core nanoparticles. fabrication very useful stabilization These results will provide novel concept carrier systems PIC. It is expected that have great potential multifunctional carriers pharmaceutical biomedical applications, such drug vaccine delivery systems.