Development of cationic polymer-based nanoplatform for insulin delivery and diabetes treatment

Due to the high molecular weight, hydrophilicity, and pH/enzyme sensitivity of proteins, effectively delivery of therapeutic proteins remains many difficulties. In this study, a novel nanoplatform for insulin delivery was established, in which a kind of tunable cationic polymer based on arginine was chosen as the nanocarrier. The nanocomplexes were formed with the cationic polymers and insulin under the electrostatic reactions. Then the relationship between the chemical structure of polymers and physicochemical properties of nanocomplex was systematically investigated among the particle size, surface charge, cytotoxicity, cellular internalization ability and finally therapeutic effects. It was confirmed that the structure of polymers affected their hydrophobicity, subsequently influencing the physicochemical properties of nanocomplex and further the therapeutic effects of nanocomplex. The in vivo results also proved that the suitable polymer with an optimal weight ratio of materials and proteins could obtain a promising therapeutic effect on Type 1 diabetes.