Macromolecular Bioscience

Front Cover: Reversible self-assembly of Poly(L-glutamic acid)-b-poly(L-lysine-r-dihydroxyphenyl alanine) at acidic and basic pHs forms an ellipsoidal morphology and vesicles, respectively. Subsequent O₂-mediated oxidation of the phenolic groups of the DOPA at pH 12 lead to intermolecular dimerization to stabilize the vesicles via in situ cross-linking. Further details can be found in the article by A. Sulistio, A. Blencowe, J. Wang, G. Bryant, X. Zhang, G. G. Qiao* on page 1220.

Back Cover: HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells take up water soluble homo-glycopolymers as well as nanoparticles of polystyrene block copolymers in a sugar-type dependent manner. Preferential internalization of green-fluorescent, galactosylated homopolymers and nanoparticles (20 nm in diameter) could be observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Further details can be found in the article by K. Babiuch, D. Pretzel, T. Tolstik, A. Vollrath, S. Stanca, F. Foertsch, C. R. Becer, M. Gottschaldt, C. Biskup, U. S. Schubert* on page 1190.

Shape-memory polymers are a new generation of polymeric materials with advanced properties such as shape change in response to specific stimuli. As shown in the figure, intravascular stents may benefit from advances in this field.

Confocal and flow cytometric analysis allied to inhibition studies provide quantitative information on the level of internalization and intracellular fate of nanomaterials designed for biomedical applications. The mechanisms used by macrophages in the uptake and intracellular trafficking of mannan nanogel are portrayed.

The antibacterial behavior of cationic polyelectrolytes is studied. The molecular interaction with lipid films is evaluated by the degree of penetration of the polymers into Langmuir monolayers. The polymers are found to be effective in inhibiting proliferation of E. coli, B. subtilis and S. aureus. An optimum structure is identified on the basis of antibacterial and hemolytic tests.

Preferential uptake of 1-thio-β-D-galactose substituted to poly(pentafluorostyrene) via thiol/para-fluorine “click” reaction by a HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cell line is observed. Cells internalize water-soluble glycopolymers as well as nanoparticles of polystyrene block copolymers in a sugar-type and concentration-dependent manner, as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.

The development of food-grade matrices with a high encapsulation efficiency of biological entities such as phages encourages their in vivo application. A matrix is described increases phage resistance to simulated gastric conditions significantly and offers a low cost of raw materials and its simple synthesis make it a promising new technology in phage therapy.

In vitro cell uptake and in vivo biodistribution of OX26-conjugated, florescent molecule RhB-labeled immunomicelles are investigated. The results indicate that OX26-conjugation can increase the uptake efficiency of micelles by target cells and the brain uptake of immunomicelles is much more than that of the OX26-free micelles.

Stabilization of peptide-based reversible vesicles from block copolypeptide is performed by in situ cross-linking of the inner layer of the vesicle shell via oxygen-mediated phenolic oxidation at basic pH. The cross-linked vesicles are able to maintain their shape when the pH of the environment is reduced to acidic pH, which is not observed for the non-cross-linked vesicles.

A simple, versatile, protein-repulsive, substrate-independent biomimetic surface modification is presented that is based on the creation of a PEO brush on a polydopamine anchoring layer and its capacity for selective follow-up modifications with various ligands using a copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction. The modified surface allows direct cell seeding and controlled cultivation.

A new perspective in cancer treatment is offered that includes a combination of chemotherapy and gene delivery. Biocompatible and photodegradable pDNA microgels appear as good candidates for the co-delivery of p53-encoding pDNA and doxorubicin. In vitro transfection leads to the expression of p53 protein in cancer cells, leading to normal cell function re-establishment.

A 3D scaffold made of collagen hydrogel and fibroin microfibers is presented. A uniform dispersion of microfibers and optimized mechanical properties are achieved. Porcine smooth muscle cells proliferate and spread better in the collagen/fibroin hydrogel than in the pure collagen hydrogel. The composite hydrogel represents a promising scaffold in the field of vascular tissue engineering.

Resveratrol-loaded HNTs show high cytotoxicity and a sustained release drug behaviour caused by polyelelectrolyte multilayer coating: cells are killed by resveratrol in a concentration-time fashion.

Chemical composition and structure affect the thermoresponsive aggregation behavior of linear triterpene–poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers, thereby allowing for diversification in the sophisticated design of smart terpene-based biomaterials.

Unmodified poly(ethylene imine)s are shown to act as selective antibacterial agents. The mechanism of action is likely related to, but not exclusive to, interaction with cell walls and cell membrane damage. These molecules provide a cost effective and chemically facile framework for the further development of selective antimicrobial materials.