Preparation of photoreactive phospholipid polymer nanoparticles to immobilize and release protein by photoirradiation

• We prepared photoreactive polymer nanoparticles for immobilization and release proteins.
• Photoreactive phospholipid polymer acted as an emulsifier to modify the surface of nanoparticles.
• Over 90% of immobilized protein was released quickly by photoirradiation.

Photoreactive and cytocompatible polymer nanoparticles for immobilizing and releasing proteins were prepared. A water-soluble and amphiphilic phospholipid polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)-co-4-(4-(1-methacryloyloxyethyl)-2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy) butyric acid (PL)) (PMB-PL) was synthesized. The PMB-PL underwent a cleavage reaction at the PL unit with photoirradiation at a wavelength of 365 nm. Additionally, the PMB-PL took polymer aggregate in aqueous medium and was used to modify the surface of biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticle as an emulsifier. The morphology of the PMB-PL/PLA nanoparticle was spherical and approximately 130 nm in diameter. The carboxylic acid group in the PL unit could immobilize proteins by covalent bonding. The bound proteins were released by a photoinduced cleavage reaction. Within 60 s, up to 90% of the immobilized proteins was released by photoirradiation. From these results and with an understanding of the fundamental properties of MPC polymers, we concluded that PMB-PL/PLA nanoparticles have the potential to be used as smart carriers to deliver proteins to biological systems, such as the inside of living cells.

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