2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (34): 5534-5542

Nano materials of protein-carrying nanosystems for endosome/lysosome escape: research status and future

Mao Yilin, Zhu Zhou, Wang Jian   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: How to effectively transport the extracellular proteins into cells has always been a concern. With the development of nanometer protein carrying technology, efficient protein delivery has been achieved. However, the protein-carrying nanosystem is still largely unable to avoid degradation after entering the endosome/lysosome. Therefore, the utility of the protein can be impeded.
OBJECTIVE: To review the progresses of protein-carrying nanosystems promoting endosome/lysosome escape in recent years, to analyze research status and application prospects of nano materials of the protein-carrying nanosystems that promote endosome/lysosome escape.
METHODS: The articles published from 2000 to 2021 were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI database and Wanfang database. The Chinese and English search terms were “endosome escape, lysosomal escape, nanoparticles, protein delivery”. All articles were preliminarily eliminated according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 89 articles were included for this review. According to the characteristics of the escape mechanism of endosomes and lysosomes, the functional characteristics and clinical applications of inorganic-organic materials, inorganic materials, organic materials, and bio-related materials were summarized.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The intracellular endosome/lysosome escape of proteins delivered by nano materials as carriers is related to a variety of mechanisms, including proton sponge effect, membrane instability, membrane fusion and other related mechanisms. Through the above mechanisms, the protein-carrying nanosystems can be successfully transferred into the cytoplasm and perform their functions well. (2) There are four types of nano materials by far the most often used to promote the protein-carrying nanosystems to escape from lysosome or endosome: organic-inorganic hybrid materials, inorganic nano materials, nanometer materials and biological organic related nanomaterials. These materials have advantages, such as the good biocompatibility and biodegradability, novel design, customizability, and pH-response. These preliminarily outstanding advantages have been demonstrated in the clinical fields of killing tumors, gene editing, and reducing blood sugar. (3) To further expand the clinical application of protein-carrying nanosystems with the effect of endosome/lysosome escape, detailed studies on nano safety and mechanism researches should not be neglected.
Key words: endosome, lysosome, protein, drug delivery, nanocarrier, metal-organic framework, mechanism, application, review