Size is one of the crucial factors influencing the biological properties of nanomedicines. However, the size control of nanomaterials is still very challenging, and the size effect on their biological properties is worth studying. Herein, we present the synthesis and size control of a series of multiarm block copolymers with the third-generation PAMAM (G3 PAMAM) as the core. The multiarm copolymers were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydride of the l-glutamic acid-5-tert-butylester [Glu(OtBu)-NCA] monomer with the amine-terminated PAMAM as the initiator, followed by the synthesis of the poly(carboxybetaine) (PCB) block via the atom transfer radical polymerization of the 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate monomer, the reaction with tert-butyl bromoacetate, and the deprotection of the tert-butyl ester groups. The polyglutamic acid (PGA) block provided abundant reactive groups for the functionalization of the multiarm block copolymers, and the PCB block imparted excellent water solubility and anti-protein adsorption capability. We synthesized three multiarm copolymers with diameters of 15, 24, and 41 nm, respectively, by tuning the polymerization degrees of the arms. Doxorubicin was coupled to the PGA block through the acylhydrazone linkage, which resulted in a pH-sensitive drug release and a drug loading of over 20%. We systematically investigated the size effects on their cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, endocytic pathway, biodistribution, tumor penetration, and antitumor activity. This work is helpful for the design of polymeric nano-drug carriers for tumor therapy.
Keywords: biodistribution; drug delivery; multiarm block copolymers; size control; tumor therapy.