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Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP) is a rapid method for encapsulating hydrophobic materials in polymer nanoparticles with high loading capacity. Encapsulating biologics such as proteins remains a challenge due to their low hydrophobicity (logP < 6) and current methods require multiple processing steps. In this work, we report rapid, single-step protein encapsulation via FNP using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. Nanoparticle formation involves complexation and precipitation of protein with tannic acid and stabilization with a cationic polyelectrolyte. Nanoparticle self-assembly is driven by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Using this approach, high encapsulation efficiency (up to ~80%) of protein can be achieved. The resulting nanoparticles are stable at physiological pH and ionic strength. Overall, FNP is a rapid, efficient platform for encapsulating proteins for various applications.
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Carbamoylated Guanidine‐Containing Polymers for Non‐Covalent Functional Protein Delivery in Serum‐Containing Media
Abstract Despite the high potential of controlling cellular processes and treating various diseases by intracellularly delivered proteins, current delivery systems exhibit poor efficiency due to poor serum stability, cellular entry, and cytosolic availability of proteins. Here, we report a novel functional group, phenyl carbamoylated guanidine (Ph‐CG), that greatly enhances the delivery efficiency to various types of cells. Owing to the substantially lowered pKa, the hydrophobic Ph‐CG offers optimized inter‐macromolecular interactions via enhanced hydrogen‐bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The coplanarity of Ph‐CG also leads to the better intracellular entry of protein complexes. Intracellularly delivered apoptosis‐inducing enzymes and antibodies significantly induce cell viability inhibitions in a serum‐containing medium. The newly developed Ph‐CG can be introduced to various existing carriers, leading to the realization of future therapeutic protein delivery.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2105016
- PAR ID:
- 10367993
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Volume:
- 61
- Issue:
- 12
- ISSN:
- 1433-7851
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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