Assemblies of poly(<i>N</i>-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)-based double hydrophilic block copolymers triggered by lanthanide ions: characterization and evaluation of their properties as MRI contrast agents

Abstract

Because of the formation of specific antibodies to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) leading to life-threatening side effects, there is an increasing need to develop alternatives to treatments and diagnostic methods based on PEGylated copolymers. Block copolymers comprising a poly(<i>N</i>-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) segment can be used for the design of such vectors without any PEG block. As an example, a poly(acrylic acid)-<i>block</i>-poly(<i>N</i>-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PAA-<i>b</i>-PVP) copolymer with controlled composition and molar mass is synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Mixing this copolymer with lanthanide cations (Gd³⁺, Eu³⁺, Y³⁺) leads to the formation of hybrid polyion complexes with increased stability, preventing the lanthanide cytotoxicity and <i>in vitro</i> cell penetration. These new nanocarriers exhibit enhanced <i>T</i>₁ MRI contrast, when intravenously administered into mice. No leaching of gadolinium ions is detected from such hybrid complexes.