1: J Control Release. 2006 Apr 10;111(3):316-24. Epub 2006 Feb 28. New self-assembled nanogels based on host-guest interactions: characterization and drug loading. Gref R, Amiel C, Molinard K, Daoud-Mahammed S, Sebille B, Gillet B, Beloeil JC, Ringard C, Rosilio V, Poupaert J, Couvreur P. School of Pharmacy, Universite Paris Sud, UMR CNRS 8612, 5 Rue J. B. Clement, 92290 Chatenay Malabry, France. ruxanda.gref@cep.u-psud.fr We show here, for the first time, that two neutral polymers may completely associate together in water to spontaneously form supramolecular nanoassemblies (nanogels) of spherical shape. The cohesion of these stable structures of about 200 nm is based upon a "lock and key" mechanism: inclusion complexes are formed between the hydrophobic alkyl chains grafted on a polysaccharide (dextran) and the molecular cavities contained in a poly-cyclodextrin polymer. Production yields reached 95%. It was established that all the alkyl chains were included within the cyclodextrins' cavities in these nanoassemblies. The multivalent character of the interactions between the two polymers ensures the stability of the nanoassemblies. Moreover, empty cyclodextrin units remained accessible for the inclusion of compounds of interest such as benzophenon or tamoxifen. PMID: 16504334 [PubMed - in process] Related Links Spontaneous association of hydrophobized dextran and poly-beta-cyclodextrin into nanoassemblies. Formation and interaction with a hydrophobic drug. [J Colloid Interface Sci. 2007] PMID:17126360 Multivalent host-guest interactions between beta-cyclodextrin self-assembled monolayers and poly(isobutene-alt-maleic acid)s modified with hydrophobic guest moieties. [Chemistry. 2005] PMID:15669046 Immobilization of a (dextran-adamantane-COOH) polymer onto beta-cyclodextrin-modified silica. [J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2004] PMID:15236687 Novel self-assembling nanogels: Stability and lyophilisation studies. [Int J Pharm. 2007] PMID:17116379 Complexation of ferrocene derivatives by the cucurbit[7]uril host: a comparative study of the cucurbituril and cyclodextrin host families. [J Am Chem Soc. 2005] PMID:16159293