COPOLYMER-MEMBRANE PROJECT

本子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源的众多研究子项目之一。子项目和研究者（PI）可能已经从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。列出的机构是中心的，不一定是研究者的机构。Poloxamer是一类表面活性嵌段共聚物，其两端由疏水的聚环氧丙烷（PPO）部分和亲水的聚环氧乙烷（PEO）部分组成，通过阻止受损细胞内物质的泄漏，有助于密封因疾病或创伤而受损的通透性细胞膜。尽管波洛沙姆在恢复细胞膜完整性方面很重要，但其潜在的密封机制尚不清楚。Poloxamer 188 （P188，分子量= 8400 g/mol， PEO重量为80%）是该家族中第一个被测试为膜密封剂的，因为它广泛应用于低毒药物中。此外，P188是一种高效的基因载体，通过内吞作用完成基因转移。P188和其他poloxamers也被加入到药物传递系统中，通过延长脂质体的循环时间来达到立体稳定脂质体的目的。改进药物用途的波洛沙姆设计依赖于更好地理解波洛沙姆和脂质膜之间的相互作用。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Poloxamer, a family of surface-active block copolymers constituted of a hydrophobic poly (propylene oxide) (PPO) moiety capped with hydrophilic poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) moieties on the two ends, is known to help seal permeabilized cell membranes that are damaged by disease or trauma via arresting leakage of intracellular materials of the damaged cell. Despite poloxamer's importance in restoring cell membrane integrity, the underlying sealing mechanisms are not well understood. Poloxamer 188 (P188, molecular weight = 8400 g/mol, with 80 wt% PEO) was the first among its family tested to be a membrane sealant due to its wide application in pharmaceuticals with low toxicity. Besides, P188 is an efficient gene carrier with gene transfer accomplished via endocytosis. P188 and other poloxamers have also been included in drug delivery systems to sterically stabilize liposomes by prolonging their circulation time. Improvement on poloxamer design for pharmaceutical use relies on a better understanding of interactions between poloxamer and lipid membranes.