Self-Healing Microencapsulation of Biomacromolecules without Organic Solvents†
This study was funded by NIH R01 HL 68345 and R21 EB 08873. We greatly appreciate the help of Shobha Churi and Dr. Manjunatha (JSS University, Mysore, India) in the procurement of the sample of tetanus toxoid. We are grateful to Dr. Rajesh Gupta, US Food and Drug Administration, for his assistance with ELISA and for providing the sample of equine tetanus antitoxin. We also thank Dr. Heather W. Collins, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, for conducting radioimmunoassays.
Graphical Abstract
Capture and seal off all exits! Biomacromolecules are routinely microcapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) in multiple complex steps that are deleterious to the biomacromolecule. In contrast, PLGA encapsulation based on self-healing (see picture) shows high efficiency without protein damage and enables the stabilization and slow release of proteins.