Mechanoresponsive diselenide-crosslinked microgels with programmed ultrasound-triggered degradation and radical scavenging ability for protein protection
Tetiana Kharandiuk, Kok H. Tan, Wenjing Xu, Fabian Weitenhagen, Susanne Braun, Robert Göstl, Andrij Pich
Abstract
In the context of controlled delivery and release, proteins constitute a delicate class of cargo requiring advanced delivery platforms and protection. We here show that mechanoresponsive diselenide-crosslinked microgels undergo controlled ultrasound-triggered degradation in aqueous solution for the release of proteins. Simultaneously, the proteins are protected from chemical and conformational damage by the microgels, which disintegrate to water-soluble polymer chains upon sonication. The degradation process is controlled by the amount of diselenide crosslinks, the temperature, and the sonication amplitude. We demonstrate that the ultrasound-mediated cleavage of diselenide bonds in these microgels facilitates the release and activates latent functionality preventing the oxidation and denaturation of the encapsulated proteins (cytochrome C and myoglobin) opening new application possibilities in the targeted delivery of biomacromolecules.