From small deferiprone to macromolecular micelles: Self-assembly enhances iron chelation

Abstract We report a self-assembly-based approach for improved iron chelation of small chelators. A model chelator, deferiprone (DFP) is covalently linked to amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-polypeptide block copolymer that can assemble into micelles. The free DFP generally coordinates with iron in a ratiometric manner (3:1). However, the assembly induces DFP packing in the micelle cores, which restricts its conformational freedom. Hence DFP/iron coordination ratio in micelles is reduced (