Persistent Membrane‐Anchored Oligomeric Peptides with Nanopore Formation for Targeted Immune Modulation

J Jingtian Cao (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics) Y Yao Yu K Kai Han (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics) B Bo Wang B Bokai Ma (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics) L Limin Zhang (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics) B Beilei Sun (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics) Y Yongming Li J Jiaqing Li (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics) Y Yuning Ma J Junge Zhi J Jinge Zhao (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics) W Weizhi Wang (Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics)

Abstract

Abstract In the field of targeted diagnosis and therapy, one of the key challenges is the off‐target effect of these recognition molecules. Herein, a new class of oligomeric helical peptides is introduced through rational design and high‐throughput screening to address this challenge. Following amino acid mutations and structural optimizations, lead candidates TA03 and TA10 were identified. Thereinto, TA03 was shown to specifically recognize the PD‐L1 target and employ a unique aromatic side‐chain anchoring strategy to form stable nanopores on the tumor cell membrane, ensuring prolonged residence time. This structure from the precise match between helix length and lipid bilayer thickness, alongside the positioning of two tryptophan (Trp) residues near the peptide terminus. Both Trp side chains interact with the phospholipid membrane via aromatic‐hydrophobic forces, allowing TA03 to form an “hourglass‐like” pore structure. This design ensures proper membrane localization and extends residence time on tumor cells of TA03, increasing the persistent interactions between TA03 and PD‐L1, effectively avoiding off‐target effects. Furthermore, the unique structure and PD‐L1 targeting of TA03 cause physical disruption to tumor cells boosting immunotherapy effects and inhibiting tumor growth. It provides an avenue for new molecular structure to overcome off‐target effect towards the membrane associate targets.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 44
Published October 27, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

J

Jingtian Cao

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics

Y

Yao Yu

K

Kai Han

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics

B

Bo Wang

B

Bokai Ma

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics

L

Limin Zhang

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics

B

Beilei Sun

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics

Y

Yongming Li

J

Jiaqing Li

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics

Y

Yuning Ma

J

Junge Zhi

J

Jinge Zhao

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics

W

Weizhi Wang

Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center for Quantum Technology Research and School of Physics