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Exploring protein-protein ligation approaches for the cytosolic delivery of antigens using AIP56
Bruno Pinheiro1,2,3, Ana C Moura1,2, Pedro Oliveira4
1Fish Immunology and Vaccinology, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Introduction:
The intracellular delivery of biologics, particularly large cargoes like proteins, remains a challenge in biotechnology and biomedicine. The modular structure of well-characterized AB toxins allows different cargoes to be grafted, creating a target-specific biotechnological tool capable of cytosolic delivery.
Methods:
In this study, we employed protein-protein fusion strategies-SpyCatcher003, SnoopCatcher, and SnoopLigase-to generate chimeras between the delivery region of AIP56 (AIP56L258-N497) and β-lactamase and performed functional delivery assays.
Results:
The chimeras were successfully obtained using these strategies and were all able to deliver β-lactamase into the cytosol of J774.A1 macrophages. Cellular fractionation showed that, although most of the β-lactamase remains associated with the endosomal compartment, an active portion is released into the cytosol.
Conclusion:
AIP56 delivery region transporting other cargo directly to the cytosol of antigen-presenting cells might be a promising platform for antigen/cargo delivery. This study highlights the potential of protein-protein fusion strategies to create versatile, antigenically distinct toxin-based delivery systems for therapeutic applications.
