Bacterial Enzyme Responsive Polymersomes: A Closer Look at the Degradation Mechanism of PEG-block-PLA Vesicles

摘要

Stimuli-responsive polymersomes that are selectively cleaved by enzymes of pathogenic bacteria are herein reported. The local disruption of the polyester wall in poly(ethylene glycol)-black-poly(lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA) polymersomes filled with reporter dyes owing to enzymatic degradation by proteinase K was monitored by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Capsule opening occurred on timescales of minutes to hours, leading to the release of the dye, followed by a slow capsule disintegration, and finally cleavage into monomeric lactic acid over several weeks. These nanocontainers represent a promising element in novel theranostic systems for potential application in advanced wound dressings.