Multiarm‐polyethylene glycol‐polyglutamic acid peptide dendrimer: Design, synthesis, and dissolving thrombus

Abstract Thrombotic events affect many individuals in a number of ways, all of which can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Nattokinase (NK), as a novel thrombolytic drug, has been used for thrombolytic therapy. It not only possesses plasminogen activator activity, but also directly digests fibrin through limited proteolysis. However, it may undergo inactivation and denaturation in the harsh external environment. In this study, a multiarm‐polyethylene glycol‐polyglutamic acid peptide dendrimer was fabricated and used as a carrier for NK protection and delivery. Different arm numbers of polyethylene glycol‐polyglutamic acid peptide dendrimers (x‐PEG(G₃)_x, x = 2, 4, 6, 8) were designed, prepared, and characterized by ¹ H NMR and FTIR. Then, x‐PEG(G₃)_x were loaded with NK to form nanocomposites. Their size and morphology were determined by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Enzyme activity was evaluated via UV–Vis absorbance spectra, fluorescence spectra, circular dichroism spectra, and zeta potential measurements. The study reveals that the obtained x‐PEG(G₃)_x/NK nanocomposites possess high enzyme activity. In addition, the nanocomposites show increased viability of rat macrophage cells, and excellent thrombolysis ability in vitro and in vivo. This work establishes a multiarm‐polyethylene glycol‐polyglutamic acid peptide dendrimer with potential application in NK carrier and thrombolytic therapy. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1687–1696, 2018.