Azobenzene-bridged ionizable amphiphilic Janus glycosides for light-controlled, single-component and organ-modulable pDNA delivery

Stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems enable spatiotemporal control of nucleic acid (NA) delivery. To achieve precise and programmable vectors, we designed azobenzene-bridged ionizable amphiphilic Janus glycosides (IAJGs) as single-component, light-responsive DNA carriers. These glucopyranose-based dimers undergo reversible E/Z photoisomerization while forming stable nanocomplexes with plasmid DNA (pDNA). Photoisomerization alters nanocomplex size, surface charge, and internal order, resulting in distinct transfection outcomes. In vitro, O- and S-glycoside derivatives displayed isomer-dependent activity across COS-7, HepG2, and RAW264.7 cells, with pronounced switching effects specially in macrophages. In vivo, systemic administration revealed organ-selective responses: O-glycosides shifted expression from liver to lung upon E → Z conversion, whereas S-glycosides favored spleen targeting. All formulations maintained high cell viability. These results highlight photoswitchable IAJGs as structurally defined vectors for adjustable control over NA delivery and organ tropism.