@article{BorovaSchluttNickeletal.2022, author = {Borova, Solomiia and Schlutt, Christine and Nickel, Joachim and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {A Transient Initiator for Polypeptoids Postpolymerization α-Functionalization via Activation of a Thioester Group}, series = {Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {223}, journal = {Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/macp.202100331}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257587}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Here, a postpolymerization modification method for an α-terminal functionalized poly-(N-methyl-glycine), also known as polysarcosine, is introduced. 4-(Methylthio)phenyl piperidine-4-carboxylate as an initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of N-methyl-glycine-N-carboxyanhydride followed by oxidation of the thioester group to yield an α-terminal reactive 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl piperidine-4-carboxylate polymer is utilized. This represents an activated carboxylic acid terminus, allowing straightforward modification with nucleophiles under mild reaction conditions and provides the possibility to introduce a wide variety of nucleophiles as exemplified using small molecules, fluorescent dyes, and model proteins. The new initiator yielded polymers with well-defined molar mass, low dispersity, and high end-group fidelity, as observed by gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. The introduced method can be of great interest for bioconjugation, but requires optimization, especially for protein conjugation.}, language = {en} } @article{HahnLuxenhoferHeltenetal.2021, author = {Hahn, Lukas and Luxenhofer, Robert and Helten, Holger and Forster, Stefan and Fritze, Lars and Polzin, Lando and Keßler, Larissa}, title = {ABA Type Amphiphiles with Poly(2-benzhydryl-2-oxazine) Moieties: Synthesis, Characterization and Inverse Thermogelation}, series = {Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {222}, journal = {Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics}, number = {17}, doi = {10.1002/macp.202100114}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265124}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Thermoresponsive polymers are frequently involved in the development of materials for various applications. Here, polymers containing poly(2- benzhydryl-2-oxazine) (pBhOzi) repeating units are described for the first time. The homopolymer pBhOzi and an ABA type amphiphile comprising two flanking hydrophilic A blocks of poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (pMeOx) and the hydrophobic aromatic pBhOzi central B block (pMeOx-b-pBhOzi-b-pMeOx) are synthesized and the latter is shown to exhibit inverse thermogelling properties at concentrations of 20 wt.\% in water. This behavior stands in contrast to a homologue ABA amphiphile consisting of a central poly(2-benzhydryl-2-oxazoline) block (pMeOx-b-pBhOx-b-pMeOx). No inverse thermogelling is observed with this polymer even at 25 wt.\%. For 25 wt.\% pMeOx-b-pBhOzi-b-pMeOx, a surprisingly high storage modulus of ≈22 kPa and high values for the yield and flow points of 480 Pa and 1.3 kPa are obtained. Exceeding the yield point, pronounced shear thinning is observed. Interestingly, only little difference between self-assemblies of pMeOx-b-pBhOzi-b-pMeOx and pMeOx-b-pBhOx-b-pMeOx is observed by dynamic light scattering while transmission electron microscopy images suggest that the micelles of pMeOx-b-pBhOzi-b-pMeOx interact through their hydrophilic coronas, which is probably decisive for the gel formation. Overall, this study introduces new building blocks for poly(2-oxazoline) and poly(2-oxazine)-based self-assemblies, but additional studies will be needed to unravel the exact mechanism.}, language = {en} } @article{BorovaTokarevStahlhutetal.2020, author = {Borova, Solomiia and Tokarev, Victor and Stahlhut, Philipp and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {Crosslinking of hydrophilic polymers using polyperoxides}, series = {Colloid and Polymer Science}, volume = {298}, journal = {Colloid and Polymer Science}, doi = {10.1007/s00396-020-04738-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-238109}, pages = {1699-1713}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Hydrogels that can mimic mechanical properties and functions of biological tissue have attracted great interest in tissue engineering and biofabrication. In these fields, new materials and approaches to prepare hydrogels without using toxic starting materials or materials that decompose into toxic compounds remain to be sought after. Here, we report the crosslinking of commercial, unfunctionalized hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) using peroxide copolymers in their melt. The influence of temperature, peroxide copolymer concentration, and duration of the crosslinking process has been investigated. The method allows to create hydrogels from unfunctionalized polymers in their melt and to control the mechanical properties of the resulting materials. The design of hydrogels with a suitable mechanical performance is of crucial importance in many existing and potential applications of soft materials, including medical applications.}, language = {en} } @article{SchulzJakschSchubeletal.2014, author = {Schulz, Anita and Jaksch, Sebastian and Schubel, Rene and Wegener, Erik and Di, Zhenyu and Han, Yingchao and Meister, Annette and Kressler, J{\"o}rg and Kabanov, Alexander V. and Luxenhofer, Robert and Papadakis, Christine M. and Jordan, Rainer}, title = {Drug-Induced Morphology Switch in Drug Delivery Systems Based on Poly(2-oxazoline)s}, series = {ACS Nano}, volume = {8}, journal = {ACS Nano}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1021/nn406388t}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-120766}, pages = {2686-96}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Defined aggregates of polymers such as polymeric micelles are of great importance in the development of pharmaceutical formulations. The amount of drug that can be formulated by a drug delivery system is an important issue, and most drug delivery systems suffer from their relatively low drug-loading capacity. However, as the loading capacities increase, i.e., promoted by good drug-polymer interactions, the drug may affect the morphology and stability of the micellar system. We investigated this effect in a prominent system with very high capacity for hydrophobic drugs and found extraordinary stability as well as a profound morphology change upon incorporation of paclitaxel into micelles of amphiphilic ABA poly(2-oxazoline) triblock copolymers. The hydrophilic blocks A comprised poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline), while the middle blocks B were either just barely hydrophobic poly(2-n-butyl-2-oxazoline) or highly hydrophobic poly(2-n-nonyl-2-oxazoline). The aggregation behavior of both polymers and their formulations with varying paclitaxel contents were investigated by means of dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, (cryogenic) transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering. While without drug, wormlike micelles were present, after incorporation of small amounts of drugs only spherical morphologies remained. Furthermore, the much more hydrophobic poly(2-n-nonyl-2-oxazoline)-containing triblock copolymer exhibited only half the capacity for paclitaxel than the poly(2-n-butyl-2-oxazoline)-containing copolymer along with a lower stability. In the latter, contents of paclitaxel of 8 wt \% or higher resulted in a raspberry-like micellar core.}, language = {en} } @article{HahnBeudertGutmannetal.2021, author = {Hahn, Lukas and Beudert, Matthias and Gutmann, Marcus and Keßler, Larissa and Stahlhut, Philipp and Fischer, Lena and Karakaya, Emine and Lorson, Thomas and Thievessen, Ingo and Detsch, Rainer and L{\"u}hmann, Tessa and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {From Thermogelling Hydrogels toward Functional Bioinks: Controlled Modification and Cytocompatible Crosslinking}, series = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, volume = {21}, journal = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.202100122}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257542}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Hydrogels are key components in bioink formulations to ensure printability and stability in biofabrication. In this study, a well-known Diels-Alder two-step post-polymerization modification approach is introduced into thermogelling diblock copolymers, comprising poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) and thermoresponsive poly(2-n-propyl-2-oxazine). The diblock copolymers are partially hydrolyzed and subsequently modified by acid/amine coupling with furan and maleimide moieties. While the thermogelling and shear-thinning properties allow excellent printability, trigger-less cell-friendly Diels-Alder click-chemistry yields long-term shape-fidelity. The introduced platform enables easy incorporation of cell-binding moieties (RGD-peptide) for cellular interaction. The hydrogel is functionalized with RGD-peptides using thiol-maleimide chemistry and cell proliferation as well as morphology of fibroblasts seeded on top of the hydrogels confirm the cell adhesion facilitated by the peptides. Finally, bioink formulations are tested for biocompatibility by incorporating fibroblasts homogenously inside the polymer solution pre-printing. After the printing and crosslinking process good cytocompatibility is confirmed. The established bioink system combines a two-step approach by physical precursor gelation followed by an additional chemical stabilization, offering a broad versatility for further biomechanical adaptation or bioresponsive peptide modification.}, language = {en} } @article{ZahoranovaLuxenhofer2021, author = {Zahoranov{\´a}, Anna and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {Poly(2-oxazoline)- and Poly(2-oxazine)-Based Self-Assemblies, Polyplexes, and Drug Nanoformulations—An Update}, series = {Advanced Healthcare Materials}, volume = {10}, journal = {Advanced Healthcare Materials}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1002/adhm.202001382}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-225833}, year = {2021}, abstract = {For many decades, poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(2-oxazine)s, two closely related families of polymers, have led the life of a rather obscure research topic with only a few research groups world-wide working with them. This has changed in the last five to ten years, presumably triggered significantly by very promising clinical trials of the first poly(2-oxazoline)-based drug conjugate. The huge chemical and structural toolbox poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(2-oxazine)s has been extended very significantly in the last few years, but their potential still remains largely untapped. Here, specifically, the developments in macromolecular self-assemblies and non-covalent drug delivery systems such as polyplexes and drug nanoformulations based on poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(2-oxazine)s are reviewed. This highly dynamic field benefits particularly from the extensive synthetic toolbox poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(2-oxazine)s offer and also may have the largest potential for a further development. It is expected that the research dynamics will remain high in the next few years, particularly as more about the safety and therapeutic potential of poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(2-oxazine)s is learned.}, language = {en} } @article{PoepplerLuebtowSchlauersbachetal.2019, author = {P{\"o}ppler, Ann-Christin and L{\"u}btow, Michael M. and Schlauersbach, Jonas and Wiest, Johannes and Meinel, Lorenz and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {Strukturmodell von Polymermizellen in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von der Curcumin-Beladung mithilfe von Festk{\"o}rper-NMR-Spektroskopie}, series = {Angewandte Chemie}, volume = {131}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie}, number = {51}, doi = {10.1002/ange.201908914}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212513}, pages = {18712-18718}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Detaillierte Einblicke in die Struktur von mit Wirkstoffen beladenen Polymermizellen sind rar, aber wichtig um gezielt optimierte Transportsysteme entwickeln zu k{\"o}nnen. Wir konnten beobachten, dass eine Erh{\"o}hung der Curcumin-Beladung von Triblockcopolymeren auf Basis von Poly(2-oxazolinen) und Poly(2-oxazinen) schlechtere Aufl{\"o}sungseigenschaften nach sich zieht. Mitthilfe von Festk{\"o}rper-NMR-Spektroskopie und komplement{\"a}ren Techniken ist es m{\"o}glich, ein ladungsabh{\"a}ngiges Strukturmodell auf molekularer Ebene zu erstellen, das eine Erkl{\"a}rung f{\"u}r die beobachteten Unterschiede liefert. Dabei belegen die {\"A}nderungen der chemischen Verschiebungen und Kreuzsignale in 2D-NMR-Experimenten die Beteiligung des hydrophoben Polymerblocks an der Koordination der Curcumin-Molek{\"u}le, w{\"a}hrend bei h{\"o}herer Beladung auch eine zunehmende Wechselwirkung mit dem hydrophilen Polymerblock beobachtet wird. Letztere k{\"o}nnte elementar f{\"u}r die Stabilisierung von ultrahochbeladenen Polymermizellen sowie das Design von verbesserten Wirkstofftransportsystemen sein.}, language = {de} } @article{LuxenhoferFetsch2013, author = {Luxenhofer, Robert and Fetsch, Corinna}, title = {Thermal Properties of Aliphatic Polypeptoids}, series = {Polymers}, journal = {Polymers}, doi = {10.3390/polym5010112}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-96333}, year = {2013}, abstract = {A series of polypeptoid homopolymers bearing short (C1-C5) side chains of degrees of polymerization of 10-100 are studied with respect to thermal stability, glass transition and melting points. Thermogravimetric analysis of polypeptoids suggests stability to >200 °C. The study of the glass transition temperatures by differential scanning calorimetry revealed two dependencies. On the one hand an extension of the side chain by constant degree of polymerization decrease the glass transition temperatures (Tg) and on the other hand a raise of the degree of polymerization by constant side chain length leads to an increase of the Tg to a constant value. Melting points were observed for polypeptoids with a side chain comprising not less than three methyl carbon atoms. X-ray diffraction of polysarcosine and poly(N-ethylglycine) corroborates the observed lack of melting points and thus, their amorphous nature. Diffractograms of the other investigated polypeptoids imply that crystalline domains exist in the polymer powder.}, language = {en} } @article{HaiderAhmadYangetal.2021, author = {Haider, Malik Salman and Ahmad, Taufiq and Yang, Mengshi and Hu, Chen and Hahn, Lukas and Stahlhut, Philipp and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {Tuning the thermogelation and rheology of poly(2-oxazoline)/poly(2-oxazine)s based thermosensitive hydrogels for 3D bioprinting}, series = {Gels}, volume = {7}, journal = {Gels}, number = {3}, issn = {2310-2861}, doi = {10.3390/gels7030078}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-241781}, year = {2021}, abstract = {As one kind of "smart" material, thermogelling polymers find applications in biofabrication, drug delivery and regenerative medicine. In this work, we report a thermosensitive poly(2-oxazoline)/poly(2-oxazine) based diblock copolymer comprising thermosensitive/moderately hydrophobic poly(2-N-propyl-2-oxazine) (pPrOzi) and thermosensitive/moderately hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (pEtOx). Hydrogels were only formed when block length exceeded certain length (≈100 repeat units). The tube inversion and rheological tests showed that the material has then a reversible sol-gel transition above 25 wt.\% concentration. Rheological tests further revealed a gel strength around 3 kPa, high shear thinning property and rapid shear recovery after stress, which are highly desirable properties for extrusion based three-dimensional (3D) (bio) printing. Attributed to the rheology profile, well resolved printability and high stackability (with added laponite) was also possible. (Cryo) scanning electron microscopy exhibited a highly porous, interconnected, 3D network. The sol-state at lower temperatures (in ice bath) facilitated the homogeneous distribution of (fluorescently labelled) human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) in the hydrogel matrix. Post-printing live/dead assays revealed that the hADSCs encapsulated within the hydrogel remained viable (≈97\%). This thermoreversible and (bio) printable hydrogel demonstrated promising properties for use in tissue engineering applications.}, language = {en} } @article{LuebtowMarciniakSchmiedeletal.2019, author = {L{\"u}btow, Michael M. and Marciniak, Henning and Schmiedel, Alexander and Roos, Markus and Lambert, Christoph and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {Ultra-high to ultra-low drug loaded micelles: Probing host-guest interactions by fluorescence spectroscopy}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {25}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {54}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201902619}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-206128}, pages = {12601-12610}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Polymer micelles are an attractive means to solubilize water insoluble compounds such as drugs. Drug loading, formulations stability and control over drug release are crucial factors for drug-loaded polymer micelles. The interactions between the polymeric host and the guest molecules are considered critical to control these factors but typically barely understood. Here, we compare two isomeric polymer micelles, one of which enables ultra-high curcumin loading exceeding 50 wt.\%, while the other allows a drug loading of only 25 wt.\%. In the low capacity micelles, steady-state fluorescence revealed a very unusual feature of curcumin fluorescence, a high energy emission at 510 nm. Time-resolved fluorescence upconversion showed that the fluorescence life time of the corresponding species is too short in the high-capacity micelles, preventing an observable emission in steady-state. Therefore, contrary to common perception, stronger interactions between host and guest can be detrimental to the drug loading in polymer micelles.}, subject = {Polymer-drug interaction}, language = {en} }