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Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform
Published on: November 7, 2013
Endoprotease-mediated intracellular protein delivery using nanocapsules
Anuradha Biswas1, Kye-Il Joo, Jing Liu
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
ACS Nano
|January 28, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed a novel biomimetic nanocarrier for protein delivery. This system uses furin-cleavable peptides for controlled intracellular release of therapeutic proteins, overcoming delivery challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Proteomics
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Proteins have significant therapeutic potential but face challenges in cellular delivery due to poor permeability and fragility.
- Effective intracellular delivery of native, active proteins remains a critical hurdle in biotherapeutics development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a novel biomimetic protein delivery vehicle for enhanced intracellular protein delivery.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of a furin-cleavable peptide cross-linker for controlled cargo release within cells.
Main Methods:
- Proteins were encapsulated within a nanosized matrix using monomers and a specific bisacrylated peptide cross-linker.
- The nanocapsules were designed to be degraded by the intracellular protease, furin, enabling cargo release.
- Cell-free systems and in vitro cell culture studies were employed to assess cargo release and delivery efficiency.
Main Results:
- Proteolytic degradation of nanocapsules by furin successfully released encapsulated proteins in a cell-free system.
- Successful intracellular delivery of both nuclear and cytosolic proteins was achieved in vitro.
- The furin-degradable construction was confirmed as crucial for the native release of proteins.
Conclusions:
- A novel endoprotease-mediated intracellular delivery system utilizing furin-cleavable nanocapsules has been developed.
- This system effectively overcomes the challenges of intracellular protein delivery, preserving protein activity.
- The platform holds promise for the broad delivery of various biological therapeutics, including proteins, into cells.
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