Fluorescent polymers via post-polymerization modification of Biginelli-type polymers for cellular protection against UV damage

Abstract

The development of biofriendly UV-protective materials is important because current UV-screening inorganic nanoparticles and organic small molecules have potential safety risks. In this research, new polymers with dramatic UV-protective capabilities have been effectively prepared through post-polymerization modification (PPM) of a Biginelli-type copolymer. The resulting polymers are fluorescent because of the heterocyclic structures generated by PPM; thus, the endocytosis of these polymers could be easily detected. The conjugated polymers obtained by the PPM method present low cytotoxicity and are superior to the unconjugated original Biginelli-type polymer in preventing UV-induced DNA damage and cell necrosis. This work demonstrates that the combination of the Biginelli reaction with the PPM method is a viable strategy for developing biocompatible UV-protective polymers for practical applications.