Positively Charged Biodegradable Polymersomes with Structure Inherent Fluorescence as Artificial Organelles

Abstract

Polymersomes, nanosized polymeric vesicles, have attracted significant interest in the areas of artificial cells and nanomedicine. Given their size, their visualization via confocal microscopy techniques is often achieved through the physical incorporation of fluorescent dyes, which however present challenges due to potential leaching. A promising alternative is the incorporation of molecules with aggregationinduced emission (AIE) behavior that are capable of fluorescing exclusively in their assembled state. Here, we report on the use of AIE polymersomes as artificial organelles, which are capable of undertaking enzymatic reactions in vitro. The ability of our polymersome-based artificial organelles to provide additional functionality to living cells was evaluated by encapsulating catalytic enzymes such as a combination of glucose oxidase/horseradish peroxidase (GOx/HRP) or β-galactosidase (β-gal). Via the additional incorporation of a pyridinium functionality, not only the cellular uptake is improved at low concentrations but also our platform's potential to specifically target mitochondria expands.

Glycooligomer-Functionalized Catalytic Nanocompartments Co-Loaded with Enzymes Support Parallel Reactions and Promote Cell Internalization

“…In contrast to previously reported enzyme-bearing CNCs for cascade reactions, − our CNCs were specifically designed to facilitate parallel production of hymecromone and H 2 O 2 . When provided with its glucuronide conjugate, GUS produces the drug hymecromone, while GOx consumes the existing glucose in the medium and produces H 2 O 2 (Figure ).…”