1
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Koch KC, Bizmark TM, Tew GN. Alcohol-containing protein transduction domain mimics. J Control Release 2024; 365:950-956. [PMID: 38065415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The application and design of protein transduction domains (PTDs) and protein transduction domain mimics (PTDMs) have revolutionized the field of biomacromolecule delivery. Our group has previously synthesized block copolymer PTDMs with well-defined hydrophobic and cationic blocks via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). We have optimized the balance of hydrophobicity and cationic density to intracellularly deliver model proteins, active proteins, and antibodies. Despite the presence of serine, threonine, and tyrosine in naturally occurring PTDs, synthetic analogs have yet to be studied in PTDMs. In our present work, we introduce different alcohol groups to our PTDM structures as a new design parameter. A library of nine novel PTDMs were synthesized to incorporate alcohol groups of varying structures and evaluated based on their ability to intracellularly deliver fluorescently labeled antibodies. One PTDM in this novel library, named PTDM4, incorporates alcohol groups in both the hydrophobic and cationic blocks and was found to be the best performing PTDM with almost twice the median fluorescence intensity of the delivered antibody and half the cationic density compared to our positive control, a PTDM thoroughly studied by our group. PTDM4 was further studied by intracellularly delivering the active enzyme, TAT-Cre Recombinase. The activity of TAT-Cre Recombinase delivered by PTDM4 was comparable to that of the positive control, again with half the cationic density. This study is one of the first to examine the effects of alcohol groups on intracellular antibody and active enzyme delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla C Koch
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Tamara M Bizmark
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gregory N Tew
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States; Molecular & Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States; Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States.
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2
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Hakata Y, Yamashita K, Hashimoto S, Ohtsuki T, Miyazawa M, Kitamatsu M. Adjusting Heterodimeric Coiled-Coils (K/E Zipper) to Connect Autophagy-Inducing Peptide with Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041048. [PMID: 37111533 PMCID: PMC10141234 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A connection of a functional peptide with a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) used a heterodimeric coiled-coil as a molecular zipper can improve the intracellular delivery and activity of the functional peptide. However, the chain length of the coiled coil required for functioning as the molecular zipper is unknown at present. To solve the problem, we prepared an autophagy-inducing peptide (AIP) that conjugates with the CPP via heterodimeric coiled-coils consisting of 1 to 4 repeating units (K/E zipper; AIP-Kn and En-CPP), and we investigated the optimum length of the K/E zipper for effective intracellular delivery and autophagy induction. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that K/E zippers with n = 3 and 4 formed a stable 1:1 hybrid (AIP-K3/E3-CPP and AIP-K4/E4-CPP, respectively). Both AIP-K3 and AIP-K4 were successfully delivered into cells by the corresponding hybrid formation with K3-CPP and K4-CPP, respectively. Interestingly, autophagy was also induced by the K/E zippers with n = 3 and 4, more intensively by the former than by the latter. The peptides and K/E zippers used in this study did not show significant cytotoxicity. These results indicate that the effective induction of autophagy occurs via an exquisite balance of the association and dissociation of the K/E zipper in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Hakata
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama 589-8511, Japan
- Department of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama 589-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuma Yamashita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Sonoko Hashimoto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohtsuki
- Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Masaaki Miyazawa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama 589-8511, Japan
| | - Mizuki Kitamatsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan
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3
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Ren L, Jiang L, Ren Q, Lv J, Zhu L, Cheng Y. A light-activated polymer with excellent serum tolerance for intracellular protein delivery. Chem Sci 2023; 14:2046-2053. [PMID: 36845943 PMCID: PMC9945510 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05848k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The design of efficient materials for intracellular protein delivery has attracted great interest in recent years; however, most current materials for this purpose are limited by poor serum stability due to the early release of cargoes triggered by abundant serum proteins. Here, we propose a light-activated crosslinking (LAC) strategy to prepare efficient polymers with excellent serum tolerance for intracellular protein delivery. A cationic dendrimer engineered with photoactivatable O-nitrobenzene moieties co-assembles with cargo proteins via ionic interactions, followed by light activation to yield aldehyde groups on the dendrimer and the formation of imine bonds with cargo proteins. The light-activated complexes show high stability in buffer and serum solutions, but dis-assemble under low pH conditions. As a result, the polymer successfully delivers cargo proteins green fluorescent protein and β-galactosidase into cells with maintained bioactivity even in the presence of 50% serum. The LAC strategy proposed in this study provides a new insight to improve the serum stability of polymers for intracellular protein delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanfang Ren
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Li Jiang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Qianyi Ren
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Jia Lv
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Linyong Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
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4
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Zhao Z, Liu X, Hou M, Zhou R, Wu F, Yan J, Li W, Zheng Y, Zhong Q, Chen Y, Yin L. Endocytosis-Independent and Cancer-Selective Cytosolic Protein Delivery via Reversible Tagging with LAT1 substrate. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2110560. [PMID: 35789055 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202110560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Protein drugs targeting intracellular machineries have shown profound therapeutic potentials, but their clinical utilities are greatly hampered by the lack of efficient cytosolic delivery techniques. Existing strategies mainly rely on nanocarriers or conjugated cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which often have drawbacks such as materials complexity/toxicity, lack of cell specificity, and endolysosomal entrapment. Herein, a unique carrier-free approach is reported for mediating cancer-selective and endocytosis-free cytosolic protein delivery. Proteins are sequentially modified with 4-nitrophenyl 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl) benzyl carbonate as the H2 O2 -responsive domain and 3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine as the substrate of l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1). Thus, the pro-protein can be directly transported into tumor cells by overexpressed LAT1 on cell membranes, bypassing endocytosis and endolysosomal entrapment. In the cytosol, overproduced H2 O2 restores the protein structure and activity. Using this technique, versatile proteins are delivered into tumor cells with robust efficiency, including toxins, enzymes, CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein, and antibodies. Furthermore, intravenously injected pro-protein of saporin shows potent anticancer efficacy in 4T1-tumor-bearing mice, without provoking systemic toxicity. Such a facile and versatile pro-protein platform may benefit the development of protein pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Zhao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xun Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Thoracic Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Mengying Hou
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Renxiang Zhou
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jing Yan
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Thoracic Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Qinmeng Zhong
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yongbing Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Thoracic Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Lichen Yin
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
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5
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Davis HC, Pan X, Kirsch ZJ, Vachet RW, Tew GN. Covalent Labeling-Mass Spectrometry Provides a Molecular Understanding of Noncovalent Polymer-Protein Complexation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:2489-2499. [PMID: 35608244 PMCID: PMC9205173 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The delivery of functional proteins to the intracellular space offers tremendous advantages for the development of new therapeutics but is limited by the passage of these large polar biomacromolecules through the cell membrane. Noncovalent polymer-protein binding that is driven by strong carrier-cargo interactions, including electrostatics and hydrophobicity, has previously been explored in the context of delivery of functional proteins. Appropriately designed polymer-based carriers can take advantage of the heterogeneous surface of protein cargoes, where multiple types of physical binding interactions with polymers can occur. Traditional methods of assessing polymer-protein binding, including dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and fluorescence-based assays, are useful in the study of new polymer-based carriers but face a number of limitations. We implement for the first time the method of covalent labeling-mass spectrometry (CL-MS) to probe intermolecular surface interactions within noncovalent polymer-protein complexes. We demonstrate the utility of CL-MS for establishing binding of an amphiphilic block copolymer to negatively charged and hydrophobic surface patches of a model protein, superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP), using diethylpyrocarbonate as a pseudo-specific labeling reagent. In addition, we utilize this method to explore differences at the intermolecular surface as the ratio of polymer to protein increases, particularly in the context of defining effective protein delivery regimes. By promoting an understanding of the intermolecular interactions in polymer-protein binding and identifying sites where polymers bind to protein surfaces, noncovalent polymer carriers can be more effectively designed for protein delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel C Davis
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Xiao Pan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Zachary J Kirsch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Richard W Vachet
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Gregory N Tew
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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6
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Barrios A, Estrada M, Moon JH. Carbamoylated Guanidine-Containing Polymers for Non-Covalent Functional Protein Delivery in Serum-Containing Media. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202116722. [PMID: 34995405 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202116722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite the high potential of controlling cellular processes and treating various diseases by intracellularly delivered proteins, current delivery systems exhibit poor efficiency due to poor serum stability, cellular entry, and cytosolic availability of proteins. Here, we report a novel functional group, phenyl carbamoylated guanidine (Ph-CG), that greatly enhances the delivery efficiency to various types of cells. Owing to the substantially lowered pKa , the hydrophobic Ph-CG offers optimized inter-macromolecular interactions via enhanced hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The coplanarity of Ph-CG also leads to the better intracellular entry of protein complexes. Intracellularly delivered apoptosis-inducing enzymes and antibodies significantly induce cell viability inhibitions in a serum-containing medium. The newly developed Ph-CG can be introduced to various existing carriers, leading to the realization of future therapeutic protein delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Barrios
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Sciences Institutes, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Marilen Estrada
- Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Joong Ho Moon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Sciences Institutes, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
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7
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Liu X, Zhao Z, Wu F, Chen Y, Yin L. Tailoring Hyperbranched Poly(β-amino ester) as a Robust and Universal Platform for Cytosolic Protein Delivery. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2108116. [PMID: 34894367 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cytosolic protein delivery is a prerequisite for protein-based biotechnologies and therapeutics on intracellular targets. Polymers that can complex with proteins to form nano-assemblies represent one of the most important categories of materials, because of the ease of nano-fabrication, high protein loading efficiency, no need for purification, and maintenance of protein bioactivity. Stable protein encapsulation and efficient intracellular liberation are two critical yet opposite processes toward cytosolic delivery, and polymers that can resolve these two conflicting challenges are still lacking. Herein, hyperbranched poly(β-amino ester) (HPAE) with backbone-embedded phenylboronic acid (PBA) is developed to synchronize these two processes, wherein PBA enhanced protein encapsulation via nitrogen-boronate (N-B) coordination while triggered polymer degradation and protein release upon oxidation by H2 O2 in cancer cells. Upon optimization of the branching degree, charge density, and PBA distribution, the best-performing A2-B3-C2-S2 -P2 is identified, which mediates robust delivery of various native proteins/peptides with distinct molecular weights (1.6-430 kDa) and isoelectric points (4.1-10.3) into cancer cells, including enzymes, toxins, antibodies, and CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). Moreover, A2-B3-C2-S2 -P2 mediates effective cytosolic delivery of saporin both in vitro and in vivo to provoke remarkable anti-tumor efficacy. Such a potent and universal platform holds transformative potentials for protein pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ziyin Zhao
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yongbing Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Lichen Yin
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
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8
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Barrios A, Estrada M, Moon JH. Carbamoylated Guanidine‐Containing Polymers for Non‐Covalent Functional Protein Delivery in Serum‐Containing Media. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202116722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Barrios
- Florida International University chemistry and biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | - Marilen Estrada
- Florida International University Natural and Applied Sciences UNITED STATES
| | - Joong Ho Moon
- Florida International University Chemistry and Biochemistry 11200 SW 8th St.MMC CP311 33199 Miami UNITED STATES
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9
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Hango CR, Davis HC, Uddin EA, Minter LM, Tew GN. Increased block copolymer length improves intracellular availability of protein cargo. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00017b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Amphiphilic protein transduction domain mimics (PTDMs) of various lengths were used for protein delivery in Jurkat T cells. Although longer PTDMs facilitated greater cargo internalization, shorter PTDMs yielded greater cargo activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Hango
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | - Hazel C. Davis
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | - Esha A. Uddin
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | - Lisa M. Minter
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | - Gregory N. Tew
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
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10
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Davis HC, Posey ND, Tew GN. Protein Binding and Release by Polymeric Cell-Penetrating Peptide Mimics. Biomacromolecules 2021; 23:57-66. [PMID: 34879198 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
There is significant potential in exploiting antibody specificity to develop new therapeutic treatments. However, intracellular protein delivery is a paramount challenge because of the difficulty in transporting large, polar molecules across cell membranes. Cell-penetrating peptide mimics (CPPMs) are synthetic polymers that are versatile materials for intracellular delivery of biological molecules, including nucleic acids and proteins, with superior performance compared to their natural counterparts and commercially available peptide-based reagents. Studies have demonstrated that noncovalent complexation with these synthetic carriers is necessary for the delivery of proteins, but the fundamental interactions dominating CPPM-protein complexation are not well understood. Beyond these interactions, the mechanism of release for many noncovalent carriers is not well established. Herein, interactions expected to be critical in CPPM-protein binding and unbinding were explored, including hydrogen bonding, electrostatics, and hydrophobic interactions. Despite the guanidinium-rich functionality of these polymeric carriers, hydrogen bonding was shown not to be a dominant interaction in CPPM-protein binding. Fluorescence quenching assays were used to decouple the effect of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between amphiphilic CPPMs and proteins. Furthermore, by conducting competition assays with other proteins, unbinding of protein cargoes from CPPM-protein complexes was demonstrated and provided insight into mechanisms of protein release. This work offers understanding toward the role of carrier and cargo binding and unbinding in intracellular outcomes. In turn, an improved fundamental understanding of noncovalent polymer-protein complexation will enable more effective methods for intracellular protein delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel C Davis
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Nicholas D Posey
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Gregory N Tew
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States.,Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States.,Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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11
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Xu J, Li Z, Fan Q, Lv J, Li Y, Cheng Y. Dynamic Polymer Amphiphiles for Efficient Intracellular and In Vivo Protein Delivery. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2104355. [PMID: 34658077 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202104355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular delivery of proteins is receiving considerable attention in biotherapeutics for various diseases by replacing dysfunctional proteins. Successful intracellular protein delivery highly relies on the development of efficient and safe polymeric carriers, which remains a grand challenge due to the lack of strong binding sites on proteins and their distinct molecular sizes and polarities. In this work, a strategy is proposed for efficient intracellular protein delivery by using dynamic polymer supra-amphiphiles, which are prepared by grafting boronated polylysine with a series of lipidated catechols via dynamic covalent catechol-boronate ester bonds. The prepared supra-amphiphiles can coassemble with proteins to form stable nanoparticles in water and also enable the release of bound proteins in cells due to their dynamic features, thereby strongly promoting the intracellular delivery process. The lead supra-amphiphiles screened in the library demonstrate high efficiency in the delivery of various proteins including bovine serum albumin, β-galactosidase, α-chymotrypsin, saporin, R-phycoerythrin, ovalbumin, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, and show great potency in delivering superoxide dismutase to treat ulcerative colitis in vivo. This work provides new opportunities for rational design and facile construction of robust intracellular protein delivery materials by the integration of polymer chemistry and supramolecular engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingke Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zhan Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Qianqian Fan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jia Lv
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yiwen Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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12
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Marschall ALJ. Targeting the Inside of Cells with Biologicals: Chemicals as a Delivery Strategy. BioDrugs 2021; 35:643-671. [PMID: 34705260 PMCID: PMC8548996 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-021-00500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Delivering macromolecules into the cytosol or nucleus is possible in vitro for DNA, RNA and proteins, but translation for clinical use has been limited. Therapeutic delivery of macromolecules into cells requires overcoming substantially higher barriers compared to the use of small molecule drugs or proteins in the extracellular space. Breakthroughs like DNA delivery for approved gene therapies and RNA delivery for silencing of genes (patisiran, ONPATTRO®, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA) or for vaccination such as the RNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines demonstrated the feasibility of using macromolecules inside cells for therapy. Chemical carriers are part of the reason why these novel RNA-based therapeutics possess sufficient efficacy for their clinical application. A clear advantage of synthetic chemicals as carriers for macromolecule delivery is their favourable properties with respect to production and storage compared to more bioinspired vehicles like viral vectors or more complex drugs like cellular therapies. If biologicals can be applied to intracellular targets, the druggable space is substantially broadened by circumventing the limited utility of small molecules for blocking protein–protein interactions and the limitation of protein-based drugs to the extracellular space. An in depth understanding of the macromolecular cargo types, carrier types and the cell biology of delivery is crucial for optimal application and further development of biologicals inside cells. Basic mechanistic principles of the molecular and cell biological aspects of cytosolic/nuclear delivery of macromolecules, with particular consideration of protein delivery, are reviewed here. The efficiency of macromolecule delivery and applications in research and therapy are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L J Marschall
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany.
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13
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Hango CR, Backlund CM, Davis HC, Posey ND, Minter LM, Tew GN. Non-Covalent Carrier Hydrophobicity as a Universal Predictor of Intracellular Protein Activity. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:2850-2863. [PMID: 34156837 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, extensive optimization of polymeric cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) mimics (CPPMs) by our group has generated a substantial library of broadly effective carriers which circumvent the need for covalent conjugation often required by CPPs. In this study, design rules learned from CPPM development were applied to reverse-engineer the first library of simple amphiphilic block copolypeptides for non-covalent protein delivery, namely, poly(alanine-block-arginine), poly(phenylalanine-block-arginine), and poly(tryptophan-block-arginine). This new CPP library was screened for enhanced green fluorescent protein and Cre recombinase delivery alongside a library of CPPMs featuring equivalent side-chain configurations. Due to the added hydrophobicity imparted by the polymer backbone as compared to the polypeptide backbone, side-chain functionality was not a universal predictor of carrier performance. Rather, overall carrier hydrophobicity predicted the top performers for both internalization and activity of protein cargoes, regardless of backbone identity. Furthermore, comparison of protein uptake and function revealed carriers which facilitated high gene recombination despite remarkably low Cre internalization, leading us to formalize the concept of intracellular availability (IA) of the delivered cargo. IA, a measure of cargo activity per quantity of cargo internalized, provides valuable insight into the physical relationship between cellular internalization and bioavailability, which can be affected by bottlenecks such as endosomal escape and cargo release. Importantly, carriers with maximal IA existed within a narrow hydrophobicity window, more hydrophilic than those exhibiting maximal cargo uptake. Hydrophobicity may be used as a scaffold-independent predictor of protein uptake, function, and IA, enabling identification of new, effective carriers which would be overlooked by uptake-based screening methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Hango
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Coralie M Backlund
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Hazel C Davis
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Nicholas D Posey
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Lisa M Minter
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States.,Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, Untied States
| | - Gregory N Tew
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States.,Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States.,Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, Untied States
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14
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Kitamatsu M, Yuasa H, Ohtsuki T, Michiue H. Complementary leucine zippering system for effective intracellular delivery of proteins by cell-penetrating peptides. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 33:116036. [PMID: 33497939 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A heterodimeric leucine zipper composed of a pair of leucine zipper peptides containing acidic or basic amino acid residues at appropriate positions in each peptide was used as a molecular glue to connect protein cargos to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) carrier. To investigate the hybridization properties by fluorescence experiments, we prepared an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fused with an acidic leucine zipper (LzK), EGFP-LzK, and a basic leucine zipper (LzE) modified with a CPP, LzE-CPP. The LzK and LzE formed a 1:1 hybrid when EGFP-LzK and LzE-CPP were mixed in phosphate buffer saline, thereby conjugating the EGFP with the CPP. The formation of the 1:1 hybrid was confirmed by fluorescence spectra and fluorescence titration curves. Results from fluorescence microscopy experiments showed that EGFP was successfully delivered into cells by conjugating with the CPP via formation of the LzK/LzE hybrid. We also fused the apoptotic protein p53 with LzK (p53-LzK) and investigated the inhibition of cell proliferation of various cell lines by incubation with the p53-LzK/LzE-CPP hybrid. This hybrid was found to localize in nuclei and successfully inhibited cell-specific proliferation. The LzE/LzK zipper system inhibited cell proliferation more efficiently than the directly fused conjugate, p53-CPP. Our method will be a useful drug delivery system for delivering bioactive proteins to treat various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Kitamatsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Yuasa
- Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohtsuki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Michiue
- Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
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15
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Lv J, Wang C, Li H, Li Z, Fan Q, Zhang Y, Li Y, Wang H, Cheng Y. Bifunctional and Bioreducible Dendrimer Bearing a Fluoroalkyl Tail for Efficient Protein Delivery Both In Vitro and In Vivo. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:8600-8607. [PMID: 33155820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c03287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rational design of stimuli-responsive polymers for cytosolic protein delivery with robust efficiency is of great importance but remains a challenging task. Here, we reported a bioreducible and amphiphilic dendrimer bearing a fluoroalkyl tail for this purpose. The fluorolipid was conjugated to the focal point of a cysteamine-cored polyamidoamine dendrimer via disulfide bond, while phenylboronic acid moieties were decorated on dendrimer surface for efficient protein binding. The yielding polymer showed high protein binding capability and complex stability and could efficiently release the cargo proteins in a glutathione-responsive manner. The designed polymer was effective in the delivery of various membrane-impermeable proteins into living cells with reserved bioactivities. In addition, the polymer efficiently delivered a toxin protein saporin into 4T1 breast cancer cells and inhibited the tumor growth in vivo after intravenous injection. The developed polymer in this study is a promising vector for the delivery of membrane-impermeable proteins to treat various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Lv
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Changping Wang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Hongru Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhan Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Qianqian Fan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yiwen Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Hui Wang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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16
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Xiao W, Jakimowicz MD, Zampetakis I, Neely S, Scarpa F, Davis SA, Williams DS, Perriman AW. Biopolymeric Coacervate Microvectors for the Delivery of Functional Proteins to Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:e2000101. [PMID: 33166084 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The extent to which biologic payloads can be effectively delivered to cells is a limiting factor in the development of new therapies. Limitations arise from the lack of pharmacokinetic stability of biologics in vivo. Encapsulating biologics in a protective delivery vector has the potential to improve delivery profile and enhance performance. Coacervate microdroplets are developed as cell-mimetic materials with established potential for the stabilization of biological molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Here, the development of biodegradable coacervate microvectors (comprising synthetically modified amylose polymers) is presented, for the delivery of biologic payloads to cells. Amylose-based coacervate microdroplets are stable under physiological conditions (e.g., temperature and ionic strength), are noncytotoxic owing to their biopolymeric structure, spontaneously interacted with the cell membrane, and are able to deliver and release proteinaceous payloads beyond the plasma membrane. In particular, myoglobin, an oxygen storage and antioxidant protein, is successfully delivered into human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) within 24 h. Furthermore, coacervate microvectors are implemented for the delivery of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 growth factor, inducing differentiation of hMSCs into osteoprogenitor cells. This study demonstrates the potential of coacervate microdroplets as delivery microvectors for biomedical research and the development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Xiao
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Monika D Jakimowicz
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1FD, UK
- HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK
- Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry and Centre for Protolife Research School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Ioannis Zampetakis
- Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS), Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TF, UK
| | - Sarah Neely
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Fabrizio Scarpa
- Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS), Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TF, UK
| | - Sean A Davis
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1FD, UK
| | - David S Williams
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Adam W Perriman
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
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17
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Kong F, Tang C, Yin C. Benzylguanidine and Galactose Double-Conjugated Chitosan Nanoparticles with Reduction Responsiveness for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin to CXCR 4 Positive Tumors. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:2446-2455. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Cui Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chunhua Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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18
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Hakata Y, Ishikawa S, Ohtsuki T, Miyazawa M, Kitamatsu M. Intracellular delivery of a peptide nucleic acid-based hybrid of an autophagy inducing peptide with a cell-penetrating peptide. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:1978-1986. [PMID: 32104826 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob02559f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Development of an intracellular delivery method for functional peptides via cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) expands peptide use in basic research and therapeutic applications. Although direct conjugation of a functional peptide with a CPP is the simplest method for delivery, this method has not always been reliable. CPPs usually contain several positively charged amino acids that potentially interact non-specifically with negatively charged molecules in cells and subsequently interfere with conjugated functional peptide function. Here we demonstrate a new intracellular delivery method for peptides in which a functional peptide is released from a positively charged CPP via peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). We prepared an 8-mer PNA conjugated to octa-arginine in tandem (PNA1-CPP) and linked its complementary PNA to an autophagy inducing peptide (PNA2-AIP) by solid-phase peptide synthesis. PNA1-CPP and PNA2-AIP formed a 1 : 1 hybrid via PNA1/PNA2 interaction, thereby indirectly but stably connecting the AIP to the CPP. PNA2-AIP was successfully delivered into cells in a hybrid formation-dependent manner and at least some portion of the PNA1-CPP/PNA2-AIP hybrids dissociated into PNA2-AIP and PNA1-CPP inside the cells. Notably, PNA2-AIP delivered to cells induced more autophagy than AIP directly conjugated to CPP (CPP-AIP). Further, the PNA hybrid did not induce significant cell death. These findings indicate that the PNA1/PNA2 hybrid can function as a molecular glue enabling the delivery of functional peptides into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Hakata
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Sayama, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.
| | - Suzuka Ishikawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan.
| | - Takashi Ohtsuki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Masaaki Miyazawa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Sayama, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.
| | - Mizuki Kitamatsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan.
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19
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Lv J, Tan E, Wang Y, Fan Q, Yu J, Cheng Y. Tailoring guanidyl-rich polymers for efficient cytosolic protein delivery. J Control Release 2020; 320:412-420. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.01.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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20
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Lee YW, Luther DC, Goswami R, Jeon T, Clark V, Elia J, Gopalakrishnan S, Rotello VM. Direct Cytosolic Delivery of Proteins through Coengineering of Proteins and Polymeric Delivery Vehicles. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:4349-4355. [PMID: 32049533 PMCID: PMC7392052 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b12759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Nanocarrier-mediated protein delivery is a promising strategy for fundamental research and therapeutic applications. However, the efficacy of the current platforms for delivery into cells is limited by endosomal entrapment of delivered protein cargo with concomitantly inefficient access to the cytosol and other organelles, including the nucleus. We report here a robust, versatile polymeric-protein nanocomposite (PPNC) platform capable of efficient (≥90%) delivery of proteins to the cytosol. We synthesized a library of guanidinium-functionalized poly(oxanorborneneimide) (PONI) homopolymers with varying molecular weights to stabilize and deliver engineered proteins featuring terminal oligoglutamate "E-tags". The polymers were screened for cytosolic delivery efficiency using imaging flow cytometry with cytosolic delivery validated using confocal microscopy and activity of the delivered proteins demonstrated through functional assays. These studies indicate that the PPNC platform provides highly effective and tunable cytosolic delivery over a wide range of formulations, making them robust agents for therapeutic protein delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - David C. Luther
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Ritabrita Goswami
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Taewon Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Vincent Clark
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - James Elia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Sanjana Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Vincent M. Rotello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
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21
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Zhang S, Cheng Y. Boronic acid-engineered gold nanoparticles for cytosolic protein delivery. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:3741-3750. [DOI: 10.1039/d0bm00679c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Boronic acid-engineered gold nanoparticles for effective cytosolic protein delivery with the help of hypertonicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology
- School of Molecular Science and Engineering
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- China
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology
- School of Molecular Science and Engineering
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- China
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22
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Backlund CM, Hango CR, Minter LM, Tew GN. Protein and Antibody Delivery into Difficult-to-Transfect Cells by Polymeric Peptide Mimics. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 3:180-185. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Coralie M. Backlund
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Christopher R. Hango
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Lisa M. Minter
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, Untied States
| | - Gregory N. Tew
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, Untied States
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23
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Lv J, Fan Q, Wang H, Cheng Y. Polymers for cytosolic protein delivery. Biomaterials 2019; 218:119358. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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24
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A Novel Cre Recombinase-Mediated In Vivo Minicircle DNA (CRIM) Vaccine Provides Partial Protection against Newcastle Disease Virus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.00407-19. [PMID: 31053588 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00407-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Minicircle DNA (mcDNA), which contains only the necessary components for eukaryotic expression and is thus smaller than traditional plasmids, has been designed for application in genetic manipulation. In this study, we constructed a novel plasmid containing both the Cre recombinase under the phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter and recombinant lox66 and lox71 sites located outside the cytomegalovirus (CMV) expression cassette. The strictly controlled synthesis of Cre recombinase in vivo maintained the complete form of the plasmid in vitro, whereas the in vivo production of Cre transformed the parental plasmid to mcDNA after transfection. The newly designed Cre recombinase-mediated in vivo mcDNA platform, named CRIM, significantly increased the nuclear entry of mcDNA, followed by increased production of mRNA and protein, using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as a model. Similar results were also observed in chickens when the vaccine was delivered by the regulated-delayed-lysis Salmonella strain χ11218, where significantly increased production of EGFP was observed in chicken livers. Then, we used the HN gene of genotype VII Newcastle disease virus as an antigen model to construct the traditional plasmid pYL43 and the novel mcDNA plasmid pYL47. After immunization, our CRIM vaccine provided significantly increased protection against challenge compared with that of the traditional plasmid, providing us with a novel mcDNA vaccine platform.IMPORTANCE Minicircle DNA (mcDNA) has been considered an attractive alternative to DNA vaccines; however, the relatively high cost and complicated process of purifying mcDNA dramatically restricts the application of mcDNA in the veterinary field. We designed a novel in vivo mcDNA platform in which the complete plasmid could spontaneously transform into mcDNA in vivo In combination with the regulated-delayed-lysis Salmonella strain, the newly designed mcDNA vaccine provides us with an elegant platform for veterinary vaccine development.
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25
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Lee YW, Luther DC, Kretzmann JA, Burden A, Jeon T, Zhai S, Rotello VM. Protein Delivery into the Cell Cytosol using Non-Viral Nanocarriers. Theranostics 2019; 9:3280-3292. [PMID: 31244954 PMCID: PMC6567963 DOI: 10.7150/thno.34412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein delivery into cells is a potentially transformative tool for treating "undruggable" targets in diseases associated with protein deficiencies or mutations. The vast majority of these targets are accessed via the cytosol, a challenging prospect for proteins with therapeutic and diagnostic relevance. In this review we will present promising non-viral approaches for intracellular and ultimately cytosolic delivery of proteins using nanocarriers. We will also discuss the mechanistic properties that govern the efficacy of nanocarrier-mediated protein delivery, applications of nanomaterials, and key challenges and opportunities in the use of nanocarriers for intracellular protein delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
| | - David C. Luther
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
| | - Jessica A. Kretzmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Andrew Burden
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
| | - Taewon Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
| | - Shumei Zhai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Vincent M. Rotello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, USA
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26
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Backlund CM, Parhamifar L, Minter L, Tew GN, Andresen TL. Protein Transduction Domain Mimics Facilitate Rapid Antigen Delivery into Monocytes. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:2462-2469. [PMID: 31095395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Delivering peptides and proteins with intracellular function represents a promising avenue for therapeutics, but remains a challenge due to the selective permeability of the plasma membrane. The successful delivery of cytosolically active proteins would enable many opportunities, including improved vaccine development through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen display. Extended research using cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) has aimed to facilitate intracellular delivery of exogenous proteins with some success. A new class of polymer-based mimics termed protein transduction domain mimics (PTDMs), which maintain the positive charge and amphiphilic nature displayed by many CPPs, was developed using a poly-norbornene-based backbone. Herein, we use a previously characterized PTDM to investigate delivery of the model antigen SIINFEKL into leukocytes. Peptide delivery into over 90% of CD14+ monocytes was detected in less than 15 min with nominal inflammatory cytokine response and high cell viability. The co-delivery of a TLR9 agonist and antigen using the PTDM into antigen-presenting cells in vitro showed presentation of SIINFEKL in association with MHC class I molecules, in addition to upregulation of classical differentiation markers revealing the ability of the PTDM to successfully deliver cargo intracellularly and show application in the field of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ladan Parhamifar
- Department of Health Technology , Technical University of Denmark , 2800 Lyngby , Denmark
| | | | | | - Thomas L Andresen
- Department of Health Technology , Technical University of Denmark , 2800 Lyngby , Denmark
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27
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Riga EK, Rühe J, Lienkamp K. Non-delaminating Polymer Hydrogel Coatings via C,H-Insertion Crosslinking (CHic) - A Case Study of Poly(oxanorbornenes). MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2018; 219:1800397. [PMID: 34404979 PMCID: PMC7611512 DOI: 10.1002/macp.201800397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Robust, non-delaminating polymer coatings and hydrogels are needed for technical and biomedical applications. This study focusses on surface-attached poly(oxanorbornene) hydrogels obtained by simultaneous UV-activated crosslinking and surface-immobilization. The synthesis and copolymerization of two oxanorbornene monomers carrying the UV-crosslinkers malonic acid diazoester or benzophenone, which can both undergo UV-triggered C,H-insertion crosslinking (CHic), is presented. The crosslinking efficiency and network stability of hydrogels made from these self-crosslinkable polymers are studied and compared to the properties of poly(oxanorbornene) networks obtained by UV-triggered thiol-ene-reactions involving a low molecular weight crosslinker. Smooth, defect-free, non-delaminating hydrogel coatings were obtained by CHic, not only on laboratory model surfaces but also on a technical product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther K. Riga
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Rühe
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Karen Lienkamp
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
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Protein Transduction Domain Mimic (PTDM) Self-Assembly? Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:polym10091039. [PMID: 30960964 PMCID: PMC6403535 DOI: 10.3390/polym10091039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular protein delivery is an invaluable tool for biomedical research, as it enables fundamental studies of cellular processes and creates opportunities for novel therapeutic development. Protein delivery reagents such as cell penetration peptides (CPPs) and protein transduction domains (PTDs) are frequently used to facilitate protein delivery. Herein, synthetic polymer mimics of PTDs, called PTDMs, were studied for their ability to self-assemble in aqueous media as it was not known whether self-assembly plays a role in the protein binding and delivery process. The results obtained from interfacial tensiometry (IFT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), transmittance assays (%T), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated that PTDMs do not readily aggregate or self-assemble at application-relevant time scales and concentrations. However, additional DLS experiments were used to confirm that the presence of protein is required to induce the formation of PTDM-protein complexes and that PTDMs likely bind as single chains.
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Cunningham FJ, Goh NS, Demirer GS, Matos JL, Landry MP. Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery towards Advancing Plant Genetic Engineering. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 36:882-897. [PMID: 29703583 PMCID: PMC10461776 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genetic engineering of plants has enhanced crop productivity in the face of climate change and a growing global population by conferring desirable genetic traits to agricultural crops. Efficient genetic transformation in plants remains a challenge due to the cell wall, a barrier to exogenous biomolecule delivery. Conventional delivery methods are inefficient, damaging to tissue, or are only effective in a limited number of plant species. Nanoparticles are promising materials for biomolecule delivery, owing to their ability to traverse plant cell walls without external force and highly tunable physicochemical properties for diverse cargo conjugation and broad host range applicability. With the advent of engineered nuclease biotechnologies, we discuss the potential of nanoparticles as an optimal platform to deliver biomolecules to plants for genetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Cunningham
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Natalie S Goh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Gozde S Demirer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Juliana L Matos
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI), Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Markita P Landry
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI), Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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30
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Posey ND, Tew GN. Associative and Dissociative Processes in Non-Covalent Polymer-Mediated Intracellular Protein Delivery. Chem Asian J 2018; 13:3351-3365. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201800849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D. Posey
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering; University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Gregory N. Tew
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering; University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst MA 01003 USA
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences; University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst MA 01003 USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program; University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst MA 01003 USA
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31
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Sgolastra F, Kuksin CA, Gonzalez-Perez G, Minter LM, Tew GN. Enhanced TAT-Cre Protein Transduction for Efficient Gene Recombination in T cells. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2018; 1:444-451. [PMID: 35016365 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.8b00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Genetic manipulation has increased our understanding of gene function and led to the discovery of new therapeutic targets. Cre/LoxP DNA recombination is widely used for genetic studies in mammalian cells. The direct delivery of Cre recombinase fused to protein transduction domains (PTDs), such as TAT, has been described as a valid alternative to the conditional, site-specific Cre expression in transgenic mice. However, efficiently conveying proteins into live cells, especially primary T cells, remains a major challenge. In this study, we show that one of our recently developed PTDs synthetic mimic greatly enhances the cellular uptake of the TAT-Cre fusion protein, enabling significantly smaller amounts of the protein to be used. We used this technique in primary mouse T cells to successfully delete, ex vivo, two essential genes involved in regulating T cell activation, Notch1 and Rbpjκ. Ex vivo gene deletion resulted in substantial protein reduction, comparable to that obtained in vivo when Cre-expressing Notch1-floxed (MxCre±Notch1fl/fl) mice were treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyl/C), but in considerably less time, and without altering normal cell physiology. These results highlight several key advantages that include the ability to use less expensive protein (TAT-Cre), a major reduction in total experimental time and labor, and fewer side effects on the treated cells. This method should offer new opportunities for immunological studies, especially in the context of identifying novel therapeutic targets.
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Posey ND, Hango CR, Minter LM, Tew GN. The Role of Cargo Binding Strength in Polymer-Mediated Intracellular Protein Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:2679-2690. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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33
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Martin L, Peltier R, Kuroki A, Town JS, Perrier S. Investigating Cell Uptake of Guanidinium-Rich RAFT Polymers: Impact of Comonomer and Monomer Distribution. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:3190-3200. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sébastien Perrier
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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34
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Chiper M, Niederreither K, Zuber G. Transduction Methods for Cytosolic Delivery of Proteins and Bioconjugates into Living Cells. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701040. [PMID: 29205903 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The human organism and its constituting cells rely on interplay between multiple proteins exerting specific functions. Progress in molecular biotechnologies has facilitated the production of recombinant proteins. When administrated to patients, recombinant proteins can provide important healthcare benefits. To date, most therapeutic proteins must act from the extracellular environment, with their targets being secreted modulators or extracellular receptors. This is because proteins cannot passively diffuse across the plasma membrane into the cytosol. To expand the scope of action of proteins for cytosolic targets (representing more than 40% of the genome) effective methods assisting protein cytosolic entry are being developed. To date, direct protein delivery is extremely tedious and inefficient in cultured cells, even more so in animal models of pathology. Novel techniques are changing this limitation, as recently developed in vitro methods can robustly convey large amount of proteins into cell cultures. Moreover, advances in protein formulation or protein conjugates are slowly, but surely demonstrating efficiency for targeted cytosolic entry of functional protein in vivo in tumor xenograft models. In this review, various methods and recently developed techniques for protein transport into cells are summarized. They are put into perspective to address the challenges encountered during delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Chiper
- Molecular and Pharmaceutical Engineering of Biologics CNRS—Université de Strasbourg UMR 7242 Boulevard Sebastien Brant F‐67412 Illkirch France
- Faculté de Pharmacie—Université de Strasbourg 74 Route du Rhin F‐67400 Illkirch France
| | - Karen Niederreither
- Developmental Biology and Stem Cells Department Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC) F‐67412 Illkirch France
- Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire Université de Strasbourg CNRS UMR 7104, INSERM U 964 F‐67000 Strasbourg France
| | - Guy Zuber
- Molecular and Pharmaceutical Engineering of Biologics CNRS—Université de Strasbourg UMR 7242 Boulevard Sebastien Brant F‐67412 Illkirch France
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35
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Backlund CM, Sgolastra F, Otter R, Minter L, Takeuchi T, Futaki S, Tew GN. Increased Hydrophobic Block Length of PTDMs Promotes Protein Internalization. Polym Chem 2016; 7:7514-7521. [PMID: 29093759 PMCID: PMC5661863 DOI: 10.1039/c6py01615d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The plasma membrane is a major obstacle in the development and use of biomacromolecules for intracellular therapeutic applications. Protein transduction domains (PTDs) have been used to overcome this barrier, but often require covalent conjugation to their cargo and can be time consuming to synthesize. Synthetic monomers can be designed to mimic the amino acid moieties in PTDs, and their resulting polymers provide a well-controlled platform to vary molecular composition for structure-activity relationship studies. In this paper, a series of polyoxanorbornene-based synthetic mimics, inspired by PTDs, with varying cationic and hydrophobic densities, and the nature of the hydrophobic chain and degree of polymerizations were investigated in vitro to determine their ability to non-covalently transport enhanced green fluorescent protein into HeLa cells, Jurkat T cells, and hTERT mesenchymal stem cells. Polymers with high charge density lead to efficient protein delivery. Similarly, the polymers with the highest hydrophobic content and density proved to be the most efficient at internalization. The observed improvements with increased hydrophobic length and content were consistent across all three cell types, suggesting that these architectural relationships are not cell type specific. However, Jurkat T cells showed distinct variation in uptake between polymers than with the other two cell types. These results provide important design parameters for more effective delivery of biomacromolecules for intracellular delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie M Backlund
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Federica Sgolastra
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Ronja Otter
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Lisa Minter
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Toshihide Takeuchi
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Gregory N Tew
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
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