A poly(l-lysine)-based hydrophilic star block co-polymer as a protein nanocarrier with facile encapsulation and pH-responsive release

A hydrophilic star block co-polymer was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as a protein nanocarrier. The star block co-polymer was composed of a hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI) core, a poly(l-lysine) (PLL) inner shell, and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) outer shell. The model protein insulin can be rapidly and efficiently encapsulated by the synthesized polymer in aqueous phosphate buffer at physiological pH. Complexation between PEI–PLL–b-PEG and insulin was investigated using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The uptake of enhanced green fluorescent protein into Ad293 cells mediated by PEI–PLL–b-PEG was also investigated. The encapsulated insulin demonstrated sustained release at physiological pH and showed accelerated release when the pH was decreased. The insulin released from the star block co-polymer retained its chemical integrity and immunogenicity.