Figure 1.

Preparation scheme of α-mannosyl-functionalized cationic nanohydrogels (ManNP): RAFT polymerization with an α-mannosyl-functionalized chain transfer agent yielded amphiphilic reactive ester block copolymers. (A) In aprotic solvents, co-block polymers spontaneously assemble into micellar structures with reactive ester cores. (B) Cross-linking of these precursor micelles is obtained by spermine, a bifunctional oligoamine, yielding ManNP with a cationic core. Fluorescent labeling could be achieved when adding dyes functionalized with a primary amine. (C) Loading of siRNA into carrier for targeted delivery is obtained by electrostatic interactions of the negatively charged siRNA and the positively charged nanohydrogel cores.