Photoactivated Polymersome Nanomotors: Traversing Biological Barriers

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie 2020-09, Vol.132 (39), p.17066-17073
• Main Authors: Shao, Jingxin, Cao, Shoupeng, Williams, David S., Abdelmohsen, Loai K. E. A., Hest, Jan C. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Block copolymers; Cargo; Cell membranes; Chemistry; I.R. radiation; intracellular delivery; Irradiation; Macromolecules; Morphology; nanomotors; Nanotechnology devices; Near infrared radiation; pH-sensitive polymer; photothermal effect; Polyethylene glycol; polymersomes
• ISSN: 0044-8249; 1521-3757
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.202003748

Synthetic nanomotors are appealing delivery vehicles for the dynamic transport of functional cargo. Their translation toward biological applications is limited owing to the use of non‐degradable components. Furthermore, size has been an impediment owing to the importance of achieving nanoscale (ca. 100 nm) dimensions, as opposed to microscale examples that are prevalent. Herein, we present a hybrid nanomotor that can be activated by near‐infrared (NIR)‐irradiation for the triggered delivery of internal cargo and facilitated transport of external agents to the cell. Utilizing biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(d,l‐lactide) (PEG‐PDLLA) block copolymers, with the two blocks connected via a pH sensitive imine bond, we generate nanoscopic polymersomes that are then modified with a hemispherical gold nanocoat. This Janus morphology allows such hybrid polymersomes to undergoing photothermal motility in response to thermal gradients generated by plasmonic absorbance of NIR irradiation, with velocities ranging up to 6.2±1.10 μm s−1. These polymersome nanomotors (PNMs) are capable of traversing cellular membranes allowing intracellular delivery of molecular and macromolecular cargo. Delivery driver: Photo‐activated polymersome nanomotors (PNMs) composed of a biodegradable polymersome system coated with a hemisphere gold layer were utilized for intracellular delivery of molecular cargo via the assistance of a NIR laser. The active penetration of the cell membrane by the nanomotors allowed both encapsulated payloads and surrounding cargo to be delivered into cells.