Modulation ofPhotoluminescence To Detect Glutathione-Responsivenessof Phthalimide-Derived Polymeric Micelles

The delivery of a drug payload to targeted cells using a polymeric vehicle cannot be accurately traced solely by photoluminescence emission. A multicomponent synthetic method is imperative that should integrate fluorescence change observation along with <i>in vitro</i> release of the therapeutic agent. The present work outlines the design, synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, theoretical approaches, GSH-triggered surface morphology observation, and <i>in vitro</i> release of curcumin from a phthalimide-based pPEGMA₂₂-<i>b</i>-pPTHDS₁₆ copolymer micelle. This copolymer has a disulfide bond as a cleavable linker, a phthalimide group as a fluorescent marker, and curcumin as a model cargo. Disulfide cleavage, initiated by interaction with glutathione under physiological conditions, leads to the liberation of free curcumin and a simultaneous red-shift fluorescence emission (λ_max = 530 nm). This promising drug delivery system demonstrates potential for theranostic applications for the targeted therapies, as it seamlessly integrates treatment and real-time imaging of drug absorption at a cellular level.