A dendritic polyamidoamine supramolecular system composed of pillar[5]arene and azobenzene for targeting drug-resistant colon cancer

J Mater Chem B. 2021 Dec 1;9(46):9594-9605. doi: 10.1039/d1tb02134f.

Abstract

Fusobacterium nucleatum caused drug-resistant around tumor sites often leads to the failure of chemotherapy during colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Multifunctional cationic quaternary ammonium materials have been widely used as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents in antibacterial and anticancer fields. Herein, we design a smart supramolecular quaternary ammonium nanoparticle, namely quaternary ammonium PAMAM-AZO@CP[5]A (Q-P-A@CP[5]A), consisting of azobenzene (AZO)-conjugated dendritic cationic quaternary ammonium polyamidoamine (PAMAM) as the core and carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP[5]A)-based switch, for antibacterial and anti-CRC therapies. The quaternary ammonium-PAMAM-AZO (Q-P-A) core endows the supramolecular system with enhanced antibacterial and anticancer properties. -N+CH3 groups on the surface of Q-P-A are accommodated in the CP[5]A cavity under normal conditions, which significantly improves the biocompatibility of Q-P-A@CP[5]A. Meanwhile, the CP[5]A host can be detached from -N+CH3 groups under pathological conditions, achieving efficient antibacterial and antitumor therapies. Furthermore, azoreductase in the tumor site can break the -NN- bonds of AZO in Q-P-A@CP[5]A, leading to the morphology recovery of supramolecular nanoparticles and CRC therapy through inducing cell membrane rupture. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that Q-P-A@CP[5]A possesses good biocompatibility, excellent antibacterial effect, and CRC treatment capability with negligible side effects. This supramolecular quaternary ammonium system provides an effective treatment method to overcome chemotherapy-resistant cancer caused by bacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis
  • Azo Compounds / chemistry
  • Cell Survival
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / drug effects*
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental
  • Polyamines / chemistry*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Azo Compounds
  • Poly(amidoamine)
  • Polyamines
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • carboxylatopillar(5)arene
  • azobenzene