The use of shells made of poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan to ensure the biocompatibility of nanoparticles in biomedical applications

: Biomedical applications of nanoparticles require that these structures are characterized by broadly defined biocompatibility. The best way to achieve this goal is to use an appropriate polymer coating, which can modify the surface properties of the nanoparticles core. The shells are formed from biodegradable material, so that the products of their decomposition can be easily eliminated from the body. Coating of nanoparticles allows to increase their stability (both in aqueous solutions and in the bloodstream), prevents agglomeration, provides the hydrophilicity of the surface and allows to attach various molecules such as drugs and tumor targeting ligands in cancer therapy. The polymer coating significantly affects the reduction of toxicity of nanoparticles and their interactions with different cell types. Chitosan and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are frequently used for coating of nanostructures due to the availability and favourable properties. A major advantage of PEG is its ability to prolong the circulation time of nanoparticles injected into the bloodstream by preventing their opsonization and reducing the uptake by macrophages. Chitosan, because of its positive charge, strongly interacts with cell membranes and mucosal surfaces, which can be useful in drug delivery systems. However, it should be remembered that the molar mass and the degree of deacetylation of the used chitosan significantly affect its characteristics. The use of combined shells made of poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan or coatings formed from new PEG based copolymers aims at further optimization of the properties of nanoparticle carriers to increase their safety and reliability in biomedical applications.