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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