Biocompatible, acid-labile cross-linked star polymer model networks (CSPMNs) have great potential for use in drug delivery. However, a primary complication of this research stems from the prevalence of their synthesis to take place in organic solvents. Herein, to minimize CSPMN potential cytotoxicity, aqueous reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is employed for their synthesis. Initially, “arm-first” star polymers were synthesized in water using a poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (POEGMA) homopolymer and a non-degradable ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or acid-labile diacetal-based bis[(2-methacryloyloxy)ethoxymethyl] ether cross-linker. Subsequently, OEGMA addition resulted in the preparation of “in–out” star polymers (with higher molecular weights) followed by cross-linker addition to form CSPMNs. Rhodamine B dye encapsulation was performed during CSPMN synthesis and its release was observed under biologically relevant conditions. Having shown the effective breakdown of the diacetal-based CSPMNs, their potential for use in drug delivery in low pH environments (i.e. cancerous tumors) is expected to be high.

中文翻译：

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通过水聚合实现不易酸且不可降解的交联星形聚合物模型网络，用于原位包封和释放


生物相容性、酸不稳定的交联星形聚合物模型网络 （CSPMN） 在药物递送中具有巨大的应用潜力。然而，这项研究的一个主要复杂性源于它们在有机溶剂中合成的普遍性。在此，为了最小化 CSPMN 的潜在细胞毒性，采用水性可逆加成 - 碎裂链转移聚合进行其合成。最初，使用聚[寡（乙二醇）甲基醚丙烯酸酯] （POEGMA） 均聚物和不可降解的乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯或不耐酸的双[（2-甲基丙烯酰氧基）乙氧基甲基]醚交联剂在水中合成“臂优先”星形聚合物。随后，OEGMA 添加导致制备“in-out”星形聚合物（具有更高的分子量），然后添加交联剂以形成 CSPMN。在 CSPMN 合成过程中进行罗丹明 B 染料包封，并在生物学相关条件下观察到其释放。在证明基于双缩醛的 CSPMN 有效分解后，预计它们在低 pH 环境（即癌性肿瘤）中用于药物递送的潜力很高。