Controlled Intra- and Extracellular Localization of Bioorthogonal Polymeric Nanozymes

Abstract

Bioorthogonal chemistry enables non-native chemical reactions to occur within complex biological environments. Transition metal catalysts mediate bioorthogonal uncaging reactions, allowing for the localized activation of chemically caged drug molecules. The ability to perform uncaging reactions selectively intra- or extracellularly expands the bioorthogonal toolkit by fine-tuning the localization of drug activation. However, transition metal complexes can diffuse through the cell membrane and, therefore, often lack control over intra- or extracellularly localized catalysis. Amphiphilic polymer nanoparticles can encapsulate transition metal catalysts, creating “polyzymes”. The polymer nanoscaffolds can be engineered to localize intra- or extracellularly by decorating the nanoparticle surface through surface charge. We designed polyzymes featuring either positive or negative surface charge, demonstrating cellular uptake and catalysis with cationic polyzymes and limited uptake and extracellular catalysis with negatively charged counterparts. Additionally, we performed the simultaneous catalytic activation of a quenched derivative of the anticancer drug Mitoxantrone to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of concurrent intra- and extracellular bioorthogonal catalysis. Our results indicate a significant improvement in cancer cell killing when combining intra- and extracellular drug activation.