Versatile Click Linker Enabling Native Peptide Release from Nanocarriers upon Redox Trigger

Bioconjug Chem. 2023 Dec 20;34(12):2375-2386. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00484. Epub 2023 Dec 11.

Abstract

Nanocarriers have shown their ability to extend the circulation time of drugs, enhance tumor uptake, and tune drug release. Therapeutic peptides are a class of drug compounds in which nanocarrier-mediated delivery can potentially improve their therapeutic index. To this end, there is an urgent need for orthogonal covalent linker chemistry facilitating the straightforward on-the-resin peptide generation, nanocarrier conjugation, as well as the triggered release of the peptide in its native state. Here, we present a copper-free clickable ring-strained alkyne linker conjugated to the N-terminus of oncolytic peptide LTX-315 via standard solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The linker contains (1) a recently developed seven-membered ring-strained alkyne, 3,3,6,6-tetramethylthiacycloheptyne sulfoximine (TMTHSI), (2) a disulfide bond, which is sensitive to the reducing cytosolic and tumor environment, and (3) a thiobenzyl carbamate spacer enabling release of the native peptide upon cleavage of the disulfide via 1,6-elimination. We demonstrate convenient "clicking" of the hydrophilic linker-peptide conjugate to preformed pegylated core-cross-linked polymeric micelles (CCPMs) of 50 nm containing azides in the hydrophobic core under aqueous conditions at room temperature resulting in a loading capacity of 8 mass % of peptide to polymer (56% loading efficiency). This entrapment of hydrophilic cargo into/to a cross-linked hydrophobic core is a new and counterintuitive approach for this class of nanocarriers. The release of LTX-315 from the CCPMs was investigated in vitro and rapid release upon exposure to glutathione (within minutes) followed by slower 1,6-elimination (within an hour) resulted in the formation of the native peptide. Finally, cytotoxicity of LTX CCPMs as well as uptake of sulfocyanine 5-loaded CCPMs was investigated by cell culture, demonstrating successful tumor cell killing at concentrations similar to that of the free peptide treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes / chemistry
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Micelles
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Polymers / chemistry

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Peptides
  • Micelles
  • Polymers
  • Alkynes
  • Disulfides