Cell membrane mimetic copolymer coated polydopamine nanoparticles for combined pH-sensitive drug release and near-infrared photothermal therapeutic

Abstract In this study, we modified the well-known photothermal polydopamine nanoparticles with the poly[(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine- b -(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PMPC- b -PDMAEMA) diblock copolymers, containing both biocompatible cell membrane phosphorylcholine zwitterions segments and pH-responsive dimethylaminoethyl units on the polymer chains, to achieve both the photothermal property and pH-responsive release behavior. The results showed that the obtained nanoparticles had a narrow size distribution with the diameter about 220 nm. Besides, the modified polydopamine nanoparticles showed enhanced colloidal stability, pH-sensitive drug release behavior, excellent biocompatibility and remarkable near-infrared photothermal property. Thus, it is highly anticipated that PMPC- b -PDMAEMA modified polydopamine nanoparticles can serve as a powerful drug delivery system for combined pH-sensitive drug release and near-infrared photothermal therapeutic.