Biocompatible\nGlycopolymer-PLA Amphiphilic Hybrid\nBlock Copolymers with Unique Self-Assembly, Uptake, and Degradation\nProperties

The self-assembly of Janus-type amphiphilic hybrid block\ncopolymers\ncomposed of hydrophilic/hydrophobic layers has shown promise for drug\nencapsulation and delivery. Saccharides have previously been incorporated\nto improve the biocompatibility of self-assembled structures; however,\nglycopolymer block copolymers have been less explored, and their structure–property\nrelationships are not well understood. In this study, novel glycopolymer-branched\npoly(lactic acid) (PLA) block copolymers were synthesized via thiol–ene\ncoupling and their composition-dependent morphologies were elucidated.\nStability as a function of pH, dye uptake capabilities, and cytotoxicity\nwere evaluated. Systems with a hydrophilic weight ratio of 30% were\nfound to produce bilayer nanoparticles, while systems with a hydrophilic\nweight ratio of 60% form micelles upon self-assembly in aqueous media.\nRegardless of composition and morphology, all systems exhibited uptake\nof both hydrophobic (curcumin, DL % from 4.25 to 11.55) and hydrophilic\n(methyl orange, DL % from 4.08 to 5.88) dye molecules with release\nprofiles dependent on composition. Furthermore, all of the nanoparticles\nexhibited low cytotoxicity, confirming their potential for biomedical\napplications.