Gelation chemistries for the encapsulation of nanoparticles in composite gel microparticles for lung imaging and drug delivery.

ABSTRACT: The formation of 10-40 μm composite gel microparticles (CGMPs) comprised of ∼100 nm drug containing nanoparticles (NPs) in a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) gel matrix is described. The CGMP particles enable targeting to the lung by filtration from the venous circulation. UV radical polymerization and Michael addition polymerization reactions are compared as approaches to form the PEG matrix. A fluorescent dye in the solid core of the NP was used to investigate the effect of reaction chemistry on the integrity of encapsulated species. When formed via UV radical polymerization, the fluorescence signal from the NPs indicated degradation of the encapsulated species by radical attack. The degradation decreased fluorescence by 90% over 15 min of UV exposure. When formed via Michael addition polymer

SUBMITTER: Pinkerton NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3981107 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature