Nano-Armoring of Enzymes: Rational Design of Polymer-Wrapped Enzymes

The formulation in which therapeutic proteins are administered plays a key role in retaining their biological activity. Enzyme wrapping, using synthetic polymers, is a strategy employed to provide enzymes with lower immunogenicity, longer circulation times, and better targeting capabilities. Protein-polymer complexation methods, involving covalent, noncovalent, and electrostatic interactions, that can provide means to develop formulations for retaining enzyme stability are discussed in this chapter. Amphiphilic self-cross-linkable polymer was used to encapsulate capsase-3 enzyme in the nanogel, while inverse emulsion polymerization method was used to entrap α-glucosidase enzyme in the nanogel. These nanogels were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and gel electrophoresis. Upon release of caspase-3 enzyme from polymeric nanogel, it retained nearly 86% of its original activity. Similarly, α-glucosidase that was encased in the acid cleavable polymeric nanogel exhibited substantial activity after release under acidic conditions (pH 5, 48h). Nano-armoring of the enzymes were nearly complete and provided high yields of the encased enzyme.