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Acetalated dextran (Ac-DEX) is a pH-responsive dextran derivative polymer. Prepared by a simple acetalation reaction, Ac-DEX has tunable acid-triggered release profile. Despite its relatively short research history, Ac-DEX has shown great potential in various therapeutic applications. Furthermore, the recent functionalization of Ac-DEX makes versatile derivatives with additional properties. Herein, we summarize the cutting-edge development of Ac-DEX and related polymers. Specifically, we focus on the chemical synthesis, nano- and micro-particle fabrication techniques, the controlled-release mechanisms, and the rational design Ac-DEX-based of drug delivery systems in various biomedical applications. Finally, we briefly discuss the challenges and future perspectives in the field.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d1cc00811k | DOI Listing |
Mol Pharm
August 2025
National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate and Carbohydrate-conjugate Drugs, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Carbohydrate-based Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) are synthetic Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists that promote Th1-biased immune responses. However, their clinical utility is limited by rapid nuclease degradation and poor cellular uptake in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). To overcome this, we developed a pH-responsive nanoadjuvant, Ace-Dex-PC7A@CpG, composed of a cyclic seven-membered tertiary amine-based polymer (PC7A) grafted onto ethoxy-acetalated dextran (Ace-Dex) encapsulating CpG ODN 1668.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFbioRxiv
July 2025
Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, NC State/UNC, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Diverse drug delivery systems are needed to address challenges in delivering novel vaccine components and enhancing their efficacy. Poly(U) is a single-stranded RNA composed of uracil repeats that acts as a toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist, stimulating the innate immune system. However, poly(U) is susceptible to ribonuclease degradation without a delivery carrier, and its negative charge hinders cellular uptake.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
August 2025
Research Center for Patient Safety, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad, Iran; Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address:
Dextran-based vehicles have emerged as promising tools for nucleic acid transfection due to their biocompatibility, solubility, abundance, ease of modification, and cost-effectiveness. This review highlights the advantages of dextran over other viral and non-viral vectors, emphasizing its versatility in chemical modifications, including acetalation, oxidation, and carboxymethylation. These modifications enhance gene material stability, circulation time, transfection efficiency, lysosomal escape, and responsiveness to stimuli while enabling targeted delivery via ligand and peptide attachment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale
July 2025
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016-India.
Triggered drug delivery systems have revolutionized the administration of therapeutics by enabling precise and controlled release. Herein, we present radiofrequency (RF)-responsive core-shell microsphere systems composed of acetalated dextran (Ac-D) and carboxymethyl nanocellulose (CMC) integrated with nanoscale graphene oxide (GO) and encapsulating curcumin as a model drug. These hybrid systems leverage the RF-absorbing properties of carbon-based nanomaterials, specifically GO, which acts as a nanoscale thermal transducer within the microscale carriers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Control Release
August 2025
Division of Pharmacoengineering & Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
The influenza virus continues to impose a significant yearly burden on society due to the variable efficacy of seasonal vaccines. Further strains like H5N1, that are not included in the seasonal influenza vaccine, may spill over from animal reservoirs and more significantly impact human health. A broadly acting subunit vaccine can offer protection across multiple strains but would have low immunogenicity without an adjuvant, which are currently limited and require delivery systems to mitigate side effects.
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