Accelerated Micellization and Aggregation of Pluronic Micelles by Interaction with Heparin

Abstract

The effect of attractive interaction between heparin and Pluronic co-polymer, two important macromolecules in biomedical applications, on the micellar state of Pluronic co-polymer was characterized. By the addition of heparin, the critical micellization temperature (CMT) of Pluronic solution decreased, indicating that heparin promoted micellization. Also, the Pluronic micelles were associated by the action of heparin, and the degree of aggregation became more pronounced by increasing the heparin amount. The association among Pluronic micelles by heparin enhanced the efficiency of chemical cross-linking of di-acrylated Pluronic solution by photo-polymerization, as well as the physical gelation by micelle packing. Thus, heparin can act as a sensitive modulator of Pluronic micelles in addition to its biological functions. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010