Copper‐Driven Allosteric and Self‐Encapsulating Polymers for Tumor‐Specific Fluorescence Imaging and Dual‐Enzymatic Cancer Therapy
Abstract
Abstract Metal ion‐mediated redox process and protein folding are fundamental to numerous physiological functions. However, the mechanisms underlying copper ion interactions with macromolecules remain insufficiently understood, and the therapeutic potential of polymer‐copper complexes is largely underexplored. Here, a biomimetic metallopolymer is reported in which copper ion coordination induces a conformational transition from β‐sheet to α‐helix, accompanied by oxidative self‐encapsulation and fluorescence quenching. By leveraging the tunable intrinsic fluorescence of the polymer, the first systematic elucidation of the coordination interaction mechanism between polythiols and copper ions is presented. This interaction enhances the structural stability, catalytic efficiency, membrane activity, and drug loading capacity. Furthermore, the polymer‐copper complex demonstrates tumor‐activated fluorescence and dual enzyme‐mimetic activities, enabling precise tumor imaging and multimodal therapeutic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. This work provides new insights into the interactions between macromolecules and metal ions and establishes a versatile and intelligent nanosystem for advanced disease diagnostics and therapeutics.
Article Details
Authors (14)
Chuan Peng
Gang Zhang
Yuling Zhu
College of Polymer Science and Engineering National Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Materials Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 China
Yu Yao
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
Yan Luo
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
Guangqing Han
College of Polymer Science and Engineering National Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Materials Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 China
Yiwei Wang
Yi Zheng
Yeqiang Zhou
College of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Materials Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 China
Yang Liu
Weili Fu
Jianxin Xue
Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Hong Tan
Mingming Ding
Xinjiang Laboratory of Phase Transitions and Microstructures in Condensed Matters, College of Physical Science and Technology, Yili Normal University 1 , Yining 835000,