1. Tunable functionalization of nano-emulsions using amphiphilic polymers
- Author
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Salman Akram, Mayeul Collot, Sophie Bou, Andrey S. Klymchenko, Jérémy Schild, Nicolas Anton, Thierry F. Vandamme, Nadia Messaddeq, Asad Ur Rehman, Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies (LBP), and Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Subjects
Streptavidin ,Materials science ,Polymers ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Polyethylene Glycols ,Rhodamine ,Surface-Active Agents ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,PEG ratio ,ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS ,[CHIM.ORGA]Chemical Sciences/Organic chemistry ,technology, industry, and agriculture ,[CHIM.MATE]Chemical Sciences/Material chemistry ,General Chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,eye diseases ,0104 chemical sciences ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Oil droplet ,Drug delivery ,Surface modification ,Emulsions ,Azide ,0210 nano-technology ,Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ,Ethylene glycol - Abstract
Nano-emulsions are defined as stable oil droplets sizing below 300 nm. Their singular particularity lies in the loading capabilities of their oily core, much higher than other kinds of carrier. On the other hand, functionalizing the dynamic oil/water interface, to date, has remained a challenge. To ensure the best anchoring of the reactive functions onto the surface of the droplets, we have designed specific amphiphilic polymers (APs) based on poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene), stabilizing the nano-emulsions instead of surfactants. Aliphatic C18 chains of the APs are anchored in the droplet core, while the hydrophilic parts of the APs are poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains. In addition, PEG chains are terminated with reactive (i) azide functions in order to prove the concept of the droplet decoration with clickable rhodamine (Rh-DBCO, specifically synthesized for this study), or (ii) biotin functions to verify the potential droplet functionalization with fluorescent streptavidin (streptavidin-AF-488). This study describes AP synthesis, physico-chemical characterization of the functional droplets (electron microscopy), and finally fluorescence labeling and droplet decoration. To conclude, these APs constitute an interesting solution for the stable functionalization of nano-emulsion droplets, paving a new way for the applications of nano-emulsions in targeting drug delivery.
- Published
- 2021