Origami with ABC Triblock Terpolymers Based on Glycopolymers: Creation of Virus-Like Morphologies

Abstract

Morphologies, that resemble viruses, were created using a single ABC triblock terpolymer poly(2-acryloylethyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside)-b-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PAcManA(70)-b-PBA(369)-b-PVP370). Morphologies ranging from flower-like micelles, cylindrical micelles, raspberry-like morphologies to nanocaterpillars were obtained by adjusting the pH value during the self-assembly process. The resulting nanoparticles had an abundance of mannose on the surface, which were recognized by the mannose receptors of RAW264.7, a macrophage cell line that can be used as a model for virus entry.