am6b15942_si_001.pdf (203.64 kB)
Thiol-Reactive Star Polymers Display Enhanced Association with Distinct Human Blood Components
journal contribution
posted on 2017-03-24, 00:00 authored by Joshua
J. Glass, Yang Li, Robert De Rose, Angus P. R. Johnston, Ewa I. Czuba, Song Yang Khor, John F. Quinn, Michael R. Whittaker, Thomas P. Davis, Stephen J. KentDirecting
nanoparticles to specific cell types using nonantibody-based methods
is of increasing interest. Thiol-reactive nanoparticles can enhance
the efficiency of cargo delivery into specific cells through interactions
with cell-surface proteins. However, studies to date using this technique
have been largely limited to immortalized cell lines or rodents, and
the utility of this technology on primary human cells is unknown.
Herein, we used RAFT polymerization to prepare pyridyl disulfide (PDS)-functionalized
star polymers with a methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) brush corona and
a fluorescently labeled cross-linked core using an arm-first method.
PDS star polymers were examined for their interaction with primary
human blood components: six separate white blood cell subsets, as
well as red blood cells and platelets. Compared with control star
polymers, thiol-reactive nanoparticles displayed enhanced association
with white blood cells at 37 °C, particularly the phagocytic
monocyte, granulocyte, and dendritic cell subsets. Platelets associated
with more PDS than control nanoparticles at both 37 °C and on
ice, but they were not activated in the duration examined. Association
with red blood cells was minor but still enhanced with PDS nanoparticles.
Thiol-reactive nanoparticles represent a useful strategy to target
primary human immune cell subsets for improved nanoparticle delivery.