Redox-Responsive Micelles with Cores Crosslinked via Click Chemistry

Redox-responsive micelles with cores crosslinked via click chemistry are developed to improve the stability of polymer micelles. Amphiphilic block copolymer mPEG-b-P(DTC-ADTC) with pendant azido groups on the hydrophobic chains is synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of 2,2-bis(azidomethyl)trimethylene carbonate (ADTC) and 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) with monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) as an initiator. mPEG-b-P(DTC-ADTC) self-assemble to form the micelles in aqueous solution and the cores of the micelles are crosslinked via click chemistry to afford redox-responsive core-crosslinked micelles. Core-crosslinking enhances the stability of the micelles in aqueous solution and improve the drug-loading property. The redox-responsive core-crosslinked micelles can be reduced by the addition of reducing agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT), and thus release the loaded drug quickly in the presence of DTT.