Origami with ABC Triblock Terpolymers Based on Glycopolymers: Creation of Virus-Like Morphologies.

Morphologies, that resemble viruses, were created using a single ABC triblock terpolymer poly(2-acryloylethyl-α-d-mannopyranoside)--poly(-butyl acrylate)--poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PAcManA--PBA--PVP). Morphologies ranging from flower-like micelles, cylindrical micelles, raspberry-like morphologies to nanocaterpillars were obtained by adjusting the pH value during the self-assembly process. The resulting nanoparticles had an abundance of mannose on the surface, which were recognized by the mannose receptors of RAW264.7, a macrophage cell line that can be used as a model for virus entry.