Partículas poliméricas com propriedades magnéticas podem ser utilizadas tanto em aplicações terapêuticas in vivo, como agentes de liberação controlada de princípios ativos, ex vivo, na extração de células cancerígenas do organismo, ou ainda in vitro, em diagnósticos. A necessidade de materiais inteligentes e biocompatíveis, como agentes de encapsulação destas partículas magnéticas, leva ao uso de polímeros sensíveis a estímulos. Em aplicações terapêuticas, esta tecnologia é baseada na localização das partículas através da aplicação de um campo magnético e na concentração da droga na área de interesse. Esta etapa é seguida pela liberação da droga, utilizando-se as propriedades sensíveis dos polímeros. Dessa forma, este trabalho de tese se dedica ao estudo da obtenção de nanopartículas constituídas de uma matriz polimérica sensível a estímulos e de partículas de óxido de ferro (?-Fe2O3 e Fe3O4). Inicialmente, nanogéis à base de poli(NVCL-co-AA) foram obtidos através do método de polimerização por precipitação. A Poli(Nvinilcaprolactama) (PNVCL) é um polímero termo-sensível, que possui temperatura crítica inferior de solubilização (LCST) próxima à temperatura fisiológica (35-38 ºC) e é conhecida, ainda, por possuir maior biocompatibilidade, em comparação a outros polímeros do gênero. O poli(ácido acrílico) (PAA), por sua vez, é um polímero que apresenta sensibilidade ao pH. Nesta etapa estudou-se a influência de alguns parâmetros de síntese nos diâmetros de partículas, na polidispersidade e na sensibilidade à temperatura dos nanogéis. A sensibilidade ao pH também foi estudada em função da concentração de ácido acrílico adicionado nas sínteses. Em seguida, realizou-se o estudo da encapsulação de nanopartículas magnéticas complexadas com dextrana em nanogéis de PNVCL, utilizando-se a técnica de polimerização em miniemulsão inversa. Os nanogéis magnéticos sensíveis à temperatura foram caracterizados quanto ao diâmetro de partículas (DP) e distribuição do diâmetro de partículas (DDP), pela técnica de espalhamento de luz. A sensibilidade à temperatura dos nanogéis magnéticos também foi estudada por espalhamento de luz, através de medidas de diâmetro de partículas em diferentes temperaturas. As medidas de magnetização foram obtidas em um magnetômetro de amostra vibrante (MAV). Análises de infra vermelho (FTIR) e de difratometria de raios X revelaram qualitativamente a encapsulação das nanopartículas magnéticas. A eficiência de incorporação das nanopartículas de óxido de ferro foi estudada através de análises termogravimétricas (TGA) e medidas de magnetização. As características morfológicas dos nanogéis magnéticos foram observadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM). / Polymeric particles with magnetic properties can be useful for in vivo therapeutic applications, as agents for controlled drug release, for ex vivo applications, as agents for the extraction of cancer cells, and finally, for the diagnosis in vitro. The search for biocompatible and smart materials as agents for the encapsulation of magnetic particles, leads to the use of stmuli-responsive polymers. In therapeutic applications, this technology is based on the localization and the concentration of the particles containing the drug in the area of interest by applying a magnetic field. This step is followed by the release of the drug, using the sensitive properties of the polymers. In this context, this thesis is devoted to the preparation of nanoparticles constituted by a stimuli-responsive polymer matrix and particles of iron oxide (?-Fe2O3 e Fe3O4). First of all, we performed the synthesis of poly(NVCL-co-AA)-based nanogels using the precipitation polymerization method. Poly(N-vinilcaprolactama) (PNVCL) is a thermo-responsive polymer which presents the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) near the physiological temperature (35-38 °C) and it is well known by its greater biocompatibility, in comparison with other themallysensitive polymers. On the other hand, the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is known by its sensibility to changes in the enviromental pH. In this stage, the influence of some synthesis parameters on the particles diameter, polydispersity and themally-sensitive behavior of the nanogels was evaluated. The pH-sensibility behavior was also studied as a function of the AA concentration in the synthesis. As a second step, the study of the incorporation of dextran-coated magnetic nanoparticles in the PNVCL-based nanogels using the inverse miniemulsion polymerization was preformed. The thermo-responsive magnetic nanogels were characterized in terms of particles diameter (PD) and particles size distribution (PSD) using light scattering. The temperature sensitivity of the magnetic nanogels was also studied by light scattering, with measurements of particles diameter as a function of temperature. The magnetization measurements were obtained on a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Analysis of infra-red (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction revealed qualitatively the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles. The incorporation efficiency of iron oxide nanoparticles was studied by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and magnetic measurements. The morphological characteristics of the magnetic nanogels were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Cette thèse présente le développement de nanoparticules hybrides avec un coeur inorganique et une couronne organique pour des applications médicales. Des nanoparticules d’oxyde de fer ont été obtenues par synthèse polyol, en contrôlant leurs cristallinités, leurs morphologies (monocoeur ou multicoeur) et leurs tailles (de 4 à 37 nm). Leurs propriétés ont été évaluées et comparées pour de possibles applications théranostiques : en thérapie pour le traitement du cancer par hyperthermie magnétique, pour le diagnostic en tant qu’agents de contraste pour l’IRM. Les surfaces des nanoparticules ont été modifiées par greffage de polymères/polypeptides pour apporter de la stabilité en milieux biologiques et de nouvelles fonctionnalités. Le poly(éthylène glycol) (PEG) a été greffé pour ses propriétés de furtivité, le poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) et des polypeptides dérivés de l’élastine (ELPs) pour leurs propriétés thermosensibles, et la sonde fluorescente DY700 pour permettre le suivi des nanoparticules in vitro et in vivo. Les propriétés magnétiques et thermosensibles de ces nanoparticules coeur-couronne ont été étudiées avec un instrument unique combinant l’hyperthermie magnétique et un système de diffusion dynamique de la lumière. Ainsi, les variations de température, de diamètre et d’intensité diffusée ont pu être mesurées simultanément. Les propriétés de nanoparticules monocoeur et multicoeur greffées avec du PEG, et des nanoparticules monocoeur greffées avec un ELP contenant un peptide pénétrant ont d’abord été évaluées in vitro. Leurs internalisations dans des cellules de tumeur cérébrale humaine (glioblastome) ont permis d’étudier leurs cytotoxicités après traitement par hyperthermie magnétique, et ont montré une baisse de viabilité cellulaire jusqu’à 90 %. In vivo, l’injection intraveineuse de ces nanoparticules dans des souris a abouti à une accumulation dans les tumeurs. L’injection intratumorale suivie du traitement par hyperthermie magnétique a conduit à des élévations de température locales d’environ 10 °C, avec un effet significatif sur l’activité des tumeurs. / This thesis reports the development of hybrid nanoparticles made of an inorganic iron oxide core and an organic shell for medical applications. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were produced by the polyol pathway, leading to a good control over their crystallinity and morphology (monocore or multicore). IONPs with diameters in the range of 4 to 37 nm were produced. Their properties as MRI contrast agents were assessed and compared, for possible theranostic applications. They can be used for treating cancer by magnetic hyperthermia, and as contrast agents for MR imaging. The surface of the IONPs was modified to bring stability in biological conditions, as well as new functionalities. Poly(ethylene glycol) was grafted for its stealth property, poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) for their thermosensitive capabilities, and a DY700 fluorescent probe was grafted for tracking nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo. The magnetic and thermosensitive properties of the nanoparticles were studied using a unique set-up combining magnetic hyperthermia with dynamic-light scattering. This set-up allowed measuring the elevations of temperature of the samples as well as variations in diameter and backscattered intensity. Monocore and multicore IONPs grafted with PEG, and monore IONPs grafted with a diblock ELP were tested in vitro. Their interactions with glioblastoma cells were studied, from the internalization pathway inside the cells to their cytotoxic effect (up to 90 %) under magnetic hyperthermia. In vivo, nanoparticles intravenously injected in mice accumulated in the tumors. Intratumoral administration followed by magnetic hyperthermia treatment led to elevations of temperature of up to 10 °C, with a significant effect on the tumor activity.

Les membranes nanofibreuses obtenues par électro-filage sont couramment utilisées pour diverses applications biomédicales telles que les pansements ou la régénération tissulaire, en raison de leur grande porosité et de leur morphologie mimant la structure des tissus humains. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons étudié deux stratégies différentes, toutes deux basées sur l'utilisation de la cyclodextrine, pour fonctionnaliser ces membranes avec des molécules d'intérêt biologique. Dans un premier temps, des membranes nanofibreuses à base de complexe de polyélectrolyte ont été élaborées à partir de carboxyméthylcellulose et de chitosane pour des applications de type pansements. Du bleu de méthylène, connu pour son activité antibactérienne, a été incorporé dans les fibres, seul ou en tant que complexe d'inclusion avec la cyclodextrine. Les tests préliminaires sont très prometteurs quant à l’efficacité bactéricide de ces matériaux. Une seconde approche visant à élaborer des nanofibres fonctionnelles à base de poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) a également été étudiée. Le PCL étant très peu fonctionnalisable, des complexes d’inclusion entre ce polyester et les cyclodextrines, appelés pseudo-polyrotaxanes (pPR), ont été préparés. Des fibres cœur:peau ont ensuite été produites en ajoutant les pPR en surface des fibres. Afin de vérifier la réactivité et l’accessibilité des fonctions hydroxyles des cyclodextrines, un fluorophore a été greffé sur les fibres. Ce type de réaction ouvre de nouvelles voies de fonctionnalisation des fibres de PCL jusqu’alors inexplorées. / Electrospun nanofibrous membranes have proven to be ideal scaffolds for biomedical applications such as wound dressing and tissue engineering, mostly due to their high porosity and their morphology that mimics the structure of human tissues. In this work, we investigated two different strategies based on the use of cyclodextrins to functionalize these scaffolds with molecules of interest. Scaffolds made of polyelectrolyte complexes of carboxymethylcellulose and chitosan were first prepared by blend or coaxial electrospinning for wound dressing applications. Methylene blue, a molecule known to present antibiotic activity, was added, alone or as an inclusion complex with cyclodextrin, in the polymer solution before electrospinning. The preliminary biological assessment suggested that the fibrous membranes exhibited good antibacterial activity. In a second part, electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were prepared for tissue engineering applications. As this polyester can not easily be functionalized, PCL and cyclodextrins were combined to form pseudo-polyrotaxanes (pPRs) with various architectures. Core:shell PCL:pPR fibres were prepared by coaxial electrospinning. Fluorescein isothiocyanate was then grafted onto the fibre surface to prove the presence of available and reactive cyclodextrin hydoxyl groups at the surface of the PCL fibres. This reaction opens the way for innovative and versatile biofunctionalization of PCL.

L’utilisation de plasmas, qu’ils soient thermiques ou basse pression, dans le domaine biomédical remonte aux années 1970. Au cours de ces dernières années, les développements concernant des jets de plasma froid à pression atmosphérique, ont permis un élargissement des domaines d’applications biomédicales des plasmas. Au sein du GREMI, un type de jet de plasma a été développé : le Plasma Gun. Le plasma généré par le Plasma Gun se propage sur de longues distances à l’intérieur de capillaires. L’optimisation des traitements visés nécessite une étude approfondie des décharges créées par le Plasma Gun. La caractérisation du Plasma Gun a mis en évidence la génération de Pulsed Atmospheric pressure Plasma Streams ou PAPS, ces derniers se propageant du réacteur jusque dans l’air ambiant où ils génèrent une plume plasma. Ces PAPS présentent deux modes de propagation, au cours desquels une connexion entre le front d’ionisation et le réacteur est présente en permanence. Ces deux modes nommés respectivement Wall-hugging et Homogène, diffèrent principalement par la morphologie et la vitesse de propagation des PAPS qui leur sont associés. Chacun de ces modes présentent donc des caractéristiques qui leur sont propres mais certaines propriétés de propagation leur sont communes, telles que la possibilité de division ou de réunion de PAPS, ainsi que du transfert de PAPS à travers une barrière diélectrique ou via un capillaire métallique creux. L’étude de la plume plasma, propagation des PAPS dans l’air ambiant, a souligné l’importance de la longueur des capillaires sur la longueur du jet plasma. De plus, la génération du plasma a une très forte influence sur l’écoulement du gaz et la structuration du jet lors de son expansion dans l’air. / The use of plasmas, thermic or low pressure, in biomedical goes back up to 1970s. During these last years, atmospheric pressure cold plasma jets have been developed, allowed an increase of biomedical applications of plasmas. In GREMI, a plasma jet was developed : the Plasma Gun (PG). The plasma generated by the PG propagates on long distances inside capillaries. The optimization of the aimed treatments requires a detailed study of the discharges created by the PG. The characterization of the PG highlights the generation of Pulsed Atmospheric pressure Plasma Streams or PAPS, these last ones propagating from the reactor to the capillary outlet (ambient air) where they generate a plasma plume. These PAPS present two propagation modes, during which a connection between the ionization front and the reactor is present permanently. These two modes named respectively Wall-hugging and Homogeneous, differ mainly by the morphology and their propagation velocity. These modes have common characteristics, such as the possibility of division or meeting of PAPS, as well as the transfer of PAPS through a dielectric barrier or via a hollow metal capillary. The study of the plasma plume underlined the importance of the length of capillaries on the length of the plasma jet. Furthermore, the generation of the plasma has a very strong influence on the gas flow and the jet structuration during air expansion.

De nos jours, les nanomatériaux inorganiques sont devenus des objets importants pour de nombreuses applications. En même temps la pureté du matériau employé est le facteur clé, et souvent les méthodes de synthèse chimiques ne peuvent assurer l'absence d'une contamination résiduelle. Dans ce contexte, nous avons investigué et développé la synthèse par laser de nanoparticules d'or et de silicium en contrôlant leurs taille et composition. Cette technique se révèle être une approche entièrement physique de la fabrication des nanoparticules pures et exemptes d'agents tensioactifs et de sous-produits toxiques. L'approche engagé comprend deux étapes : 1) la génération de la suspension de micro- et nanoparticules par broyage mécanique, et par ablation préliminaire d'une cible solide ; 2) la fragmentation laser ultra-rapide de colloïdes en suspension qui aboutit à la formation de nanoparticules stables, non agrégées, cristallines et avec une faible dispersion de taille. Ce travail se concentre sur la synthèse de nanoparticules d'or de taille contrôlable entre 7 et 50 nm en absence de ligands. De plus, cette technique nous permet d'obtenir des nano-alliages bimétalliques et d'effectuer un couplage in situ de nanoparticules d'or avec des molécules organiques. Ensuite nous montrons la possibilité d'ajuster la taille moyenne et l'épaisseur de la couche d'oxyde des nanoparticules de Si en variant la concertation des particules initiale, le pH et la quantité d'oxygène dissoutes. Enfin, nous démontrons les propriétés optiques et plasmoniques des nanoparticules obtenues au cours de ce travail et leur potentiel pour les applications catalytiques et biomédicales. / Inorganic nanomaterials are of a major interest for numerous applications, specifically bioimaging, biomedicine, catalysis, and also surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy. In most cases, the purity of the employed material is a key factor. Often the conventional chemical ways of synthesis cannot provide the desirable cleanliness. The aim of this thesis is to investigate and develop a laser-based synthetic concept for the fabrication of Au and Si-based nanoparticles with controlled parameters, free of surfactants and toxic by-products. The engaged approach includes two steps: 1) the generation of a raw suspension of micro- and nanoparticles by either mechanical milling or preliminary ablation of a target; 2) ultrafast laser-induced fragmentation from the suspended colloids leading to the formation of stable, non-aggregated, low-size dispersed and crystalline nanoparticles. In particular, we focus on the technique of the synthesis of bare Au nanoparticles with tunable size between 7 and 50 nm in the absence of any ligands. Moreover, this technique allows performing the in situ coupling of the Au nanoparticles with organic molecules and alloying at the nanoscale. Furthermore, we show the possibility of tuning the mean size and the thickness of the oxide shell of Si nanoparticles by varying the initial concentration of microparticles, the pH and the amount of dissolved oxygen. Finally, we demonstrate the optic and plasmonic properties of the nanoparticles synthesized by the techniques established in our work and their potential for the applications in catalysis and biomedicine.

[ES] El tratamiento de enfermedades neurológicas está muy limitado por la ineficiente penetración de los fármacos en el tejido cerebral dañado debido a la barrera hematoencefálica (BHE), lo que imposibilita mejorar la salud del paciente. La BHE es un mecanismo de protección natural para evitar la difusión de agentes potencialmente peligrosas para el sistema nervioso central. No obstante, la BHE se puede inhibir mediante ultrasonidos focalizados e inyección de microburbujas de forma segura, localizada y transitoria, una tecnología empleada mundialmente. La principal ventaja es su carácter no invasivo, siendo así muy atractiva y cómoda para el paciente. Normalmente, la zona cerebral enferma se trata en su parte central empleando un único foco. Sin embargo, enfermedades como el Alzheimer o el Parkinson requieren un tratamiento sobre estructuras de geometría compleja y tamaño elevado, situadas en ambos hemisferios cerebrales. Por tanto, la tecnología actual está muy limitada al no cumplir dichos requisitos. Esta tesis doctoral tiene como objetivo el desarrollo de una técnica novedosa, basada en hologramas acústicos, para resolver las limitaciones presentes en los tratamientos neurológicos empleando ultrasonidos. Se estudian las lentes acústicas holográficas impresas en 3D, que acopladas a un transductor mono-elemento, permiten el control preciso del frente de onda ultrasónico tanto para (1) compensar las distorsiones que sufre el haz hasta alcanzar el cerebro, como (2) focalizarlo simultáneamente en regiones múltiples y de geometría compleja o formando de vórtices acústicos, proporcionando así efectividad en tiempo y coste. Por ello, la investigación desarrollada en esta tesis abre un camino prometedor en el campo de la biomedicina que permitirá mejorar los tratamientos neurológicos, además de aplicaciones en neuroestimulación o ablación térmica del tejido. / [CA] El tractament de malalties neurològiques està molt limitat per la ineficient penetració del fàrmac en el teixit cerebral danyat a causa de la barrera hematoencefàlica (BHE), i així no és possible una millora de salut del pacient. La BHE és un mecanisme de protecció natural per a evitar la difusió d'agents potencialment perillosos per al Sistema Nervios Central. No obstant això, aquesta barrera es pot inhibir mitjancant una tecnologia emprada mundialment basada en ultrasons focalitzats i injeccio de microbombolles. El principal avantatge és el seu caràcter no invasiu, sent així molt atractiva i còmoda per al pacient, i permet obrir la BHE de manera segura, localitzada i transitòria. Normalment, la zona cerebral malalta es tracta en la seua part central, emprant un unic focus. No obstant això, malalties com l'Alzheimer o el Parkinson requereixen un tractament al llarg d'estructures de geometria complexa i grandària elevada, situades en tots dos hemisferis cerebrals. Per tant, la tecnologia actual està fortament limitada al no complir amb aquests requeriments. Aquesta tesi doctoral està enfocada a investigar i desenvolupar una tècnica nova, basada en hologrames acústics, per a solucionar les limitacions presents en els tractaments neurològics. Una lent acústica holograca de baix cost impresa en 3D acoblada a un transductor d'element simple permet el control precs del front d'ona ultrasònic punt per a (1) compensar les distorsions que pateix el feix en el seu camí cap al cervell, i (2) focalització simultània del feix en regions multiples i de geometria complexa, proporcionant aix un tractament efectiu en temps i cost. Per això, la investigació desenvolupada en aquesta tesi demostra la possibilitat de realitzar qualsevol tractament neurològic, a més d'aplicacions en la neuroestimulació o l'ablació tèrmica dins del camp biomèdic. / [EN] Treatments for neurological diseases are strongly limited by the inefficient penetration of therapeutic drugs into the diseased brain due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and therefore no health improvement can be achieved. In fact, the BBB is a protection mechanism of the human body to avoid the diffusion of potentially dangerous agents into the central nervous system. Nevertheless, this barrier can be successfully inhibited by using a worldwide spread technology based on microbubble-enhanced focused ultrasound. Its main advantage is its non-invasive nature, thus defining a patient-friendly clinical procedure that allows to disrupt the BBB in a safe, local and transient manner. Conventionally, the diseased brain structure has been targeted in its center, with a single focus. However, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Diseases do require that ultrasound is delivered to entire, complex-geometry and large-volume structures located at both hemispheres of the brain. Therefore, current technology presents several limitations as it does not fulfill these requirements. This doctoral thesis aims to develop a novel technique based on using focused ultrasound acoustic holograms to solve the existing limitations to treat neurological diseases. In this dissertation, we study 3D-printed holographic acoustic lenses coupled to a single-element transducer that allow to accurately control the acoustic wavefront to both (1) compensate distortions suffered by the beam in its path to the brain, and (2) simultaneous focusing in multiple and complex-geometry structures or acoustic vortex generation, providing a time- and cost- efficient procedure. Therefore, the research carried out throughout this thesis opens a promising path in the biomedical field to improve the treatment for neurological diseases, neurostimulation or tissue ablation applications. / Acknowledgments to the Spanish institution Generalitat Valenciana, which funding grant allowed me to develop this doctoral thesis, and as well funded my research stay at Columbia University. The development of the entire thesis was supported through grant Nª. ACIF/2017/045. Particularly, the research carried out in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 was possible thanks to and supported through grant BEFPI/2019/075. Action co-financied by the Agència Valenciana de la Innovació through grant INNVAL10/19/016 and by the European Union through the Programa Operativo del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) of the Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020 (IDIFEDER/2018/022). / Jiménez Gambín, S. (2021). Transcranial Ultrasound Holograms for the Blood-Brain Barrier Opening [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/171373 / TESIS

Nanoparticles (NPs) have considerable potential in targeted medicine. NPs can merge various functions and serve as labels for imaging or as nanocarriers in therapy. Modification of NPs with targeting ligands can lead to highly specific interactions with targeted cancer cells. However, the efficacy of targeting depends on the ratio between specific and non-specific interactions of a NP with the cell. Non-specific interactions of NPs are unrelated to targeted receptors and need to be eliminated in order to decrease background noise during imaging and adverse effect of drugs on healthy tissues. In this thesis, surface modifications of NPs were explored mainly on biocompatible carbon NPs called nanodiamonds (NDs), which have exceptional fluorescent properties such as long fluorescence lifetime, no photobleaching and photoblinking and sensitivity of their fluorescence to electric and magnetic field. Main issues addressed in this thesis are low colloidal stability of NDs in buffers and media, their non-specific interactions with proteins and cells and limited approaches for ND surface modifications. These issues were solved by coating NDs with a layer of biocompatible, hydrophilic, and electroneutral poly(ethylene glycol) or poly[N-(2- hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide] polymers. Optimized polymer coating...

This work reports a novel biocompatible and biodegradable arborescent amphiphilic polypept(o)ides-based polymer poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate)-co-poly(γ-tert-butyl L-glutamate)-g-polysarcosine (P(BG-co-Glu(OtBu))-g-PSar) as a smart dual-responsive targeting drug vehicle. The synthesis pathway in this work highlighted the grafting reaction improvement of the polypeptides core and using polysarcosine (PSar) corona as a coating agent. The responsiveness of the polymer is caused by the pH sensitivity of the polypeptides and the reducible linker introduced between the core and corona. While adding the tripeptides arginine, glycine, and aspartate (RGD) as a ligand on the unimolecular micelles’ surface increases the targeting ability of the polymer. During the building of the arborescent, the coupling sites were controlled by using γ-tert-butyl L-glutamate (Glu(OtBu)-NCA) as a second monomer besides γ-benzyl L-glutamate (BG-NCA) since the deprotection conditions are different for Bz and tBu groups. Knowing the coupling sites provides accuracy in calculating the molecular weight (MW) of graft polymers since it facilitates the determination of the grafting yield (Gy). The arborescent unimolecular micelles were formulated by coating the hydrophobic core with PSar hydrophilic corona. The distribution of the coupling sites on the substrates in the last generation yielded end-grafted and randomly-grafted unimolecular micelles. A comparison between those micelles by DLS, TEM, and AFM revealed that the end-grafted micelles showed more uniformity in terms of morphology and size distribution. Also, the surface modification achieved via RGD addition increased the shape uniformity and contributed to avoiding the particles’ aggregation. The sizes and shapes of end-grafted unimolecular micelles match the drug delivery systems (DDSs) requirements. Doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated physically into the unimolecular micelles to study the drug loading capacity (DLC) and drug loading efficiency (DLE). The maximum DLC and DLE were 14% and 28% w/w, respectively. The drug release profiles were investigated in healthy- and cancer-mimicking media. The results showed that in cancer-mimicking microenvironment (low pH and high glutathione (GSH) content), the drug diffused out the micelles faster. In addition, a slower drug release was noticed for RGD decorated unimolecular micelles. Finally, the biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake of the unimolecular micelles were studied. The obtained results were promising as the arborescent unimolecular micelles showed excellent biocompatibility; meanwhile, the DOX-loaded unimolecular micelles have good cytotoxicity compared to free DOX. RGD targeting ligand contributes to increasing the cellular uptake and supports the sustained release.

Amphiphilic block copolymers are unique macro-molecules capable of self-assembling into bilayers analogous to naturally occurring lipid membranes. When combined with lipids, these copolymers form hybrid membranes with unique and sometimes unpredictable properties, including increased chemical and mechanical stability. These synthetically enhanced biological structures represent a versatile platform suitable for a wide range of applications, from advanced biosensing devices to drug delivery systems. The realization of these advancements necessitates a deep understanding of material properties, including the ability to predict and control interfacial behaviors. It has been shown that in the case of pure lipid membranes, interfacial behaviors are dominated by electrostatic forces. The following work will demonstrate that, electrostatic forces also represent a major driving force behind hybrid vesicle adhesion events, such as the formation of supported bilayers or interactions with biological tissues. These electrostatic forces can be manipulated to a limited degree by adjusting suspension buffer pH which primarily modulates the substrate zeta potential. Protonation of silanol groups, in the case of silicate surfaces at low pH, results in slightly positive surface zeta potential. Unfortunately, hybrid vesicles containing BdxEOy polymers exhibit a slight negative zeta potential independent of buffer pH conditions. Therefore, pH mediation can only result in supported bilayer formation in limited cases and may be insufficiently robust for many demands of application. Furthermore, the zeta potential of hybrid vesicles is surprisingly difficult to predict and control, likely due to screening and steric effects of the PEO block. This investigation provides a model to tune and control the zeta potential of such vesicles, independent of other tunable properties. This technique, in combination with pH mediation, proves to be especially effective in controlling vesicle-substrate interaction. Furthermore, translating this understanding to interactions with tissues, could facilitate more targeted drug delivery, potentially avoiding sensitive tissues, thus reducing off-target effects. In summary, this work deepens our understanding of the complex relationship between surface-potential, pH conditions, and vesicle behavior, paving the way for novel applications in bio-sensing, drug delivery, and nanotechnology.

No description available.