Successful preferential formation of a novel macromolecular assembly—Trilayered polymeric micelle—That can incorporate hydrophilic compounds: The optimization of factors affecting the micelle formation from amphiphilic block copolymers

We have developed a novel macromolecular assembly, trilayered polymeric micelle, which can incorporate hydrophilic compounds. The micelle can be prepared from the amphiphilic block copolymers without regard to their properties such as the copolymer's charges and the homogeneity of the copolymers forming the micelle's inner and outer parts. In this study, we investigated the optimal condition for the preferential formation of the trilayered polymeric micelle. GPC results clarified that the composition of the block copolymer, the concentration of PVA in the aqueous bulk phase, and the temperature during the preparation were the important preparation factors affecting preferential formation of the trilayered polymeric micelles. We successfully achieved the preferential formation of the trilayered polymeric micelles under optimal conditions. Furthermore, we confirmed that the model hydrophilic compound, FITC-dextran, was successfully encapsulated into the hydrophilic core of the trilayered polymeric micelles. The novel micelle that can incorporate hydrophilic compounds can have a variety of future medical applications such as a protein delivery-based therapy.

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► We investigated the optimal condition for the preferential formation of the novel macromolecular assembly (trilayered polymeric micelle).
► GPC results clarified that the composition of the block copolymer, the concentration of PVA in the aqueous bulk phase, and the temperature during the preparation were the important preparation factors affecting preferential formation of the trilayered polymeric micelles.
► We confirmed that the model hydrophilic compound, FITC-dextran, was successfully encapsulated into the hydrophilic core of the trilayered polymeric micelles.
► The novel micelle that can incorporate hydrophilic compounds can have a variety of future medical applications such as a protein delivery-based therapy.