Programmable Peptides Activated Macropinocytosis for Direct Cytosolic Delivery

Bioactive macromolecules show great promise for the treatment of various diseases. However, the cytosolic delivery of peptide-based drugs remains a challenging task owing to the existence of multiple intracellular barriers and ineffective endosomal escape. To address these issues, we herein report programmable self-assembling peptide vectors to amplify cargo internalization into the cytoplasm through receptor-activated macropinocytosis. Programmable self-assembling peptide vector-active HER2 signaling induced the receptor-activated macropinocytosis pathway, achieving efficient uptake in tumor cells. Shrinking macropinosomes accelerated the process of assembly dynamics and formed nanostructures in the cytoplasm to increase peptide-based cargo accumulation and retention. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry quantitative analysis indicates that the Gd delivery efficiency in tumor tissue through the macropinocytosis pathway was improved 2.5-fold compared with that through the use of active targeting molecular delivery. Finally, compared with nanoparticles and active targeting delivery, the delivery of bioactive peptide drugs through the self-assembly of peptide vectors maintains high drug activity (the IC decreased 2-fold) in the cytoplasm and achieves effective inhibition of tumor cell growth. Programmable self-assembling peptide vectors represent a promising platform for the intracellular delivery of diverse bioactive drugs, including molecular drugs, peptides, and biologics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.