Micellar and structural stability of nanoscale amphiphilic polymers: Implications for anti-atherosclerotic bioactivity.

ABSTRACT: Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of mortality in developed countries, is characterized by the buildup of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) within the vascular intima, unregulated oxLDL uptake by macrophages, and ensuing formation of arterial plaque. Amphiphilic polymers (AMPs) comprised of a branched hydrophobic domain and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) tail have shown promising anti-atherogenic effects through direct inhibition of oxLDL uptake by macrophages. In this study, five AMPs with controlled variations were evaluated for their micellar and structural stability in the presence of serum and lipase, respectively, to develop underlying structure-atheroprotective activity relations. In parallel, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explore the AMP conforma

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4755878 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature