1
|
Liu Z, Lin L, Li T, Premadasa UI, Hong K, Ma YZ, Sacci RL, Katsaras J, Carrillo JM, Doughty B, Collier CP. Physicochemical control of solvation and molecular assembly of charged amphiphilic oligomers at air-aqueous interfaces. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 669:552-560. [PMID: 38729003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Understanding the rules that control the assembly of nanostructured soft materials at interfaces is central to many applications. We hypothesize that electrolytes can be used to alter the hydration shell of amphiphilic oligomers at the air-aqueous interface of Langmuir films, thereby providing a means to control the formation of emergent nanostructures. EXPERIMENTS Three representative salts - (NaF, NaCl, NaSCN) were studied for mediating the self-assembly of oligodimethylsiloxane methylimidazolium (ODMS-MIM+) amphiphiles in Langmuir films. The effects of the different salts on the nanostructure assembly of these films were probed using vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy and Langmuir trough techniques. Experimental data were supported by atomistic molecular dynamic simulations. FINDINGS Langmuir trough surface pressure - area isotherms suggested a surprising effect on oligomer assembly, whereby the presence of anions affects the stability of the interfacial layer irrespective of their surface propensities. In contrast, SFG results implied a strong anion effect that parallels the surface activity of anions. These seemingly contradictory trends are explained by anion driven tail dehydration resulting in increasingly heterogeneous systems with entangled ODMS tails and appreciable anion penetration into the complex interfacial layer comprised of headgroups, tails, and interfacial water molecules. These findings provide physical and chemical insight for tuning a wide range of interfacial assemblies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zening Liu
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - Lu Lin
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Uvinduni I Premadasa
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - Kunlun Hong
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - Ying-Zhong Ma
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - Robert L Sacci
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - John Katsaras
- Neutron Scattering Division and Shull Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States; Shull Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States
| | - Jan-Michael Carrillo
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States.
| | - Benjamin Doughty
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States.
| | - C Patrick Collier
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Valente S, Galanti A, Maghin E, Najdi N, Piccoli M, Gobbo P. Matching Together Living Cells and Prototissues: Will There Be Chemistry? Chembiochem 2024:e202400378. [PMID: 39031571 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Scientific advancements in bottom-up synthetic biology have led to the development of numerous models of synthetic cells, or protocells. To date, research has mainly focused on increasing the (bio)chemical complexity of these bioinspired micro-compartmentalized systems, yet the successful integration of protocells with living cells remains one of the major challenges in bottom-up synthetic biology. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of the art in hybrid protocell/living cell and prototissue/living cell systems. Inspired by recent breakthroughs in tissue engineering, we review the chemical, bio-chemical, and mechano-chemical aspects that hold promise for achieving an effective integration of non-living and living matter. The future production of fully integrated protocell/living cell systems and increasingly complex prototissue/living tissue systems not only has the potential to revolutionize the field of tissue engineering, but also paves the way for new technologies in (bio)sensing, personalized therapy, and drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Valente
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Agostino Galanti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Edoardo Maghin
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padova, Italy
| | - Nahid Najdi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Piccoli
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padova, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Gobbo
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Unit of Trieste, Via G. Giusti 9, 50121, Firenze, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Houghton MC, Kashanian SV, Derrien TL, Masuda K, Vollmer F. Whispering-Gallery Mode Optoplasmonic Microcavities: From Advanced Single-Molecule Sensors and Microlasers to Applications in Synthetic Biology. ACS PHOTONICS 2024; 11:892-903. [PMID: 38523742 PMCID: PMC10958601 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.3c01570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Optical microcavities, specifically, whispering-gallery mode (WGM) microcavities, with their remarkable sensitivity to environmental changes, have been extensively employed as biosensors, enabling the detection of a wide range of biomolecules and nanoparticles. To push the limits of detection down to the most sensitive single-molecule level, plasmonic nanorods are strategically introduced to enhance the evanescent fields of WGM microcavities. This advancement of optoplasmonic WGM sensors allows for the detection of single molecules of a protein, conformational changes, and even atomic ions, marking significant contributions in single-molecule sensing. This Perspective discusses the exciting research prospects in optoplasmonic WGM sensing of single molecules, including the study of enzyme thermodynamics and kinetics, the emergence of thermo-optoplasmonic sensing, the ultrasensitive single-molecule sensing on WGM microlasers, and applications in synthetic biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Houghton
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Exeter, Exeter
Devon EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AX, United Kingdom
| | - Samir Vartabi Kashanian
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Exeter, Exeter
Devon EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas L. Derrien
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Exeter, Exeter
Devon EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
| | - Koji Masuda
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Exeter, Exeter
Devon EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Vollmer
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Exeter, Exeter
Devon EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ushiyama R, Nanjo S, Tsugane M, Sato R, Matsuura T, Suzuki H. Identifying Conditions for Protein Synthesis Inside Giant Vesicles Using Microfluidics toward Standardized Artificial Cell Production. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:68-76. [PMID: 38032418 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
To expand the range of practical applications of artificial cells, it is important to standardize the production process of giant (cell-sized) vesicles that encapsulate reconstituted biochemical reaction systems. For this purpose, a rapidly developing microfluidics-based giant vesicle generation system is a promising approach, similar to the droplet assay systems that are already widespread in the market. In this study, we examined the composition of the solutions used to generate vesicles encapsulating the in vitro transcription-translation (IVTT) system. We show that tuning of the lipid composition and adding poly(vinyl alcohol) to the outer solution improved the stability of the transition process into the lipid membrane so that protein synthesis proceeded in vesicles. The direct integration of α-hemolysin nanopores synthesized in situ was also demonstrated. These protein-synthesizing monodisperse giant vesicles can be prepared by using a simple microfluidic fabrication/operation with a commercial IVTT system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Ushiyama
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nanjo
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Mamiko Tsugane
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Reiko Sato
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-i7E Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suzuki
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Llopis-Lorente A, Schotman MJG, Humeniuk HV, van Hest JCM, Dankers PYW, Abdelmohsen LKEA. Artificial cells with viscoadaptive behavior based on hydrogel-loaded giant unilamellar vesicles. Chem Sci 2024; 15:629-638. [PMID: 38179539 PMCID: PMC10763548 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04687g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Viscoadaptation is an essential process in natural cells, where supramolecular interactions between cytosolic components drive adaptation of the cellular mechanical features to regulate metabolic function. This important relationship between mechanical properties and function has until now been underexplored in artificial cell research. Here, we have created an artificial cell platform that exploits internal supramolecular interactions to display viscoadaptive behavior. As supramolecular material to mimic the cytosolic component of these artificial cells, we employed a pH-switchable hydrogelator based on poly(ethylene glycol) coupled to ureido-pyrimidinone units. The hydrogelator was membranized in its sol state in giant unilamellar lipid vesicles to include a cell-membrane mimetic component. The resulting hydrogelator-loaded giant unilamellar vesicles (designated as HL-GUVs) displayed reversible pH-switchable sol-gel behavior through multiple cycles. Furthermore, incorporation of the regulatory enzyme urease enabled us to increase the cytosolic pH upon conversion of its substrate urea. The system was able to switch between a high viscosity (at neutral pH) and a low viscosity (at basic pH) state upon addition of substrate. Finally, viscoadaptation was achieved via the incorporation of a second enzyme of which the activity was governed by the viscosity of the artificial cell. This work represents a new approach to install functional self-regulation in artificial cells, and opens new possibilities for the creation of complex artificial cells that mimic the structural and functional interplay found in biological systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Llopis-Lorente
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València Camino de Vera s/n 46022 València Spain
| | - Maaike J G Schotman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven, Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Heorhii V Humeniuk
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven, Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Patricia Y W Dankers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven, Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Loai K E A Abdelmohsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Govey-Scotland J, Johnstone L, Myant C, Friddin MS. Towards skin-on-a-chip for screening the dermal absorption of cosmetics. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:5068-5080. [PMID: 37938128 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00691c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, there have been increasing global efforts to limit or ban the use of animals for testing cosmetic products. This ambition has been at the heart of international endeavours to develop new in vitro and animal-free approaches for assessing the safety of cosmetics. While several of these new approach methodologies (NAMs) have been approved for assessing different toxicological endpoints in the UK and across the EU, there remains an absence of animal-free methods for screening for dermal absorption; a measure that assesses the degree to which chemical substances can become systemically available through contact with human skin. Here, we identify some of the major technical barriers that have impacted regulatory recognition of an in vitro skin model for this purpose and propose how these could be overcome on-chip using artificial cells engineered from the bottom-up. As part of our future perspective, we suggest how this could be realised using a digital biomanufacturing pipeline that connects the design, microfluidic generation and 3D printing of artificial cells into user-crafted synthetic tissues. We highlight milestone achievements towards this goal, identify future challenges, and suggest how the ability to engineer animal-free skin models could have significant long-term consequences for dermal absorption screening, as well as for other applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Govey-Scotland
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
- Institute for Molecular Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - Liam Johnstone
- Office for Product Safety and Standards, 1 Victoria Street, SW1H 0ET, London, UK
| | - Connor Myant
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
| | - Mark S Friddin
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
- Institute for Molecular Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London and Kings College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Velasco-Garcia L, Casadevall C. Bioinspired photocatalytic systems towards compartmentalized artificial photosynthesis. Commun Chem 2023; 6:263. [PMID: 38049562 PMCID: PMC10695942 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01069-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial photosynthesis aims to produce fuels and chemicals from simple building blocks (i.e. water and carbon dioxide) using sunlight as energy source. Achieving effective photocatalytic systems necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms and factors that control the reactivity. This review underscores the growing interest in utilizing bioinspired artificial vesicles to develop compartmentalized photocatalytic systems. Herein, we summarize different scaffolds employed to develop artificial vesicles, and discuss recent examples where such systems are used to study pivotal processes of artificial photosynthesis, including light harvesting, charge transfer, and fuel production. These systems offer valuable lessons regarding the appropriate choice of membrane scaffolds, reaction partners and spatial arrangement to enhance photocatalytic activity, selectivity and efficiency. These studies highlight the pivotal role of the membrane to increase the stability of the immobilized reaction partners, generate a suitable local environment, and force proximity between electron donor and acceptor molecules (or catalysts and photosensitizers) to increase electron transfer rates. Overall, these findings pave the way for further development of bioinspired photocatalytic systems for compartmentalized artificial photosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Velasco-Garcia
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
- Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University Rovira i Virgili (URV), C/ Marcel.lí Domingo, 1, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Carla Casadevall
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
- Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University Rovira i Virgili (URV), C/ Marcel.lí Domingo, 1, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sun Q, Shi J, Sun H, Zhu Y, Du J. Membrane and Lumen-Compartmentalized Polymersomes for Biocatalysis and Cell Mimics. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:4587-4604. [PMID: 37842883 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is a crucial feature of a natural cell, manifested in cell membrane and inner lumen. Inspired by the cellular structure, multicompartment polymersomes (MCPs), including membrane-compartmentalized polymersomes and lumen-compartmentalized polymersomes (polymersomes-in-polymersomes), have aroused great expectations for biological applications such as biocatalysis and cell mimics in the past decades. Compared with traditional polymersomes, MCPs have advantages in encapsulating multiple enzymes separately for multistep enzymatic cascade reactions. In this review, first, the design principles and preparation methods of membrane-compartmentalized and lumen-compartmentalized polymersomes are summarized. Next, recent advances of MCPs as nanoreactors and cell mimics to mimic subcellular organelles or artificial cells are discussed. Finally, the future research directions of MCPs are prospected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingmei Sun
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Junqiu Shi
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yunqing Zhu
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Xi Y, Frank BD, Tatas A, Pavlovic M, Zeininger L. Multicompartment calcium alginate microreactors to reduce substrate inhibition in enzyme cascade reactions. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7541-7549. [PMID: 37750330 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00816a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The formation of macromolecularly enriched condensates through associative or segregative liquid-liquid phase separation phenomena is known to play a central role in controlling various cellular functions in nature. The potential to spatially and temporally modulate multistep chemical reactions and pathways has inspired the use of phase-separated systems for the development of various synthetic colloidal micro- and nanoreactor systems. Here, we report a rational and synthetically minimal design strategy to emulate intended spatiotemporal functions in morphologically intricate and structurally defined calcium alginate hydrogel microreactors possessing multicompartmentalized internal architectures. Specifically, we implement a thermal phase separation protocol to achieve fine-control over liquid-liquid phase separation inside complex aqueous emulsion droplet templates that are loaded with hydrophilic polymer mixtures. Subsequent gelation of alginate-containing droplet templates using a novel freeze-thaw approach that can be applied to both scalable batch production or more precise microfluidic methods yields particle replicas, in which subcompartmentalized architectures can be retained. Larger active components can be enriched in the internal compartments due to their preferential solubility, and we show that selective sequestration of enzymes serves to create desired microenvironments to control and tune the reaction kinetics of a multistep enzyme cascade by reducing their mutual interference. This demonstration of mitigating substrate inhibition that is based primarily on optimizing the multicompartmentalized hydrogel particle morphology offers new opportunities for the simple and synthetically-minimal batch generation of hydrogel-based synthesis microreactors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Xi
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Bradley D Frank
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Apostolos Tatas
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Marko Pavlovic
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
- Department of Physics and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
| | - Lukas Zeininger
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li Z, Wang J, Willner I. Alternate Strategies to Induce Dynamically Modulated Transient Transcription Machineries. ACS NANO 2023; 17:18266-18279. [PMID: 37669432 PMCID: PMC10540262 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Emulating native transient transcription machineries modulating temporal gene expression by synthetic circuits is a major challenge in the area of systems chemistry. Three different methods to operate transient transcription machineries and to modulate the gated transcription processes of target RNAs are introduced. One method involves the design of a reaction module consisting of transcription templates being triggered by promoter fuel strands transcribing target RNAs and in parallel generating functional DNAzymes in the transcription templates, modulating the dissipative depletion of the active templates and the transient operation of transcription circuits. The second approach involves the application of a reaction module consisting of two transcription templates being activated by a common fuel promoter strand. While one transcription template triggers the transcription of the target RNA, the second transcription template transcribes the anti-fuel strand, displacing the promoter strand associated with the transcription templates, leading to the depletion of the transcription templates and to the dynamic transient modulation of the transcription process. The third strategy involves the assembly of a reaction module consisting of a reaction template triggered by a fuel promoter strand transcribing the target RNA. The concomitant nickase-stimulated depletion of the promoter strand guides the transient modulation of the transcription process. Via integration of two parallel fuel-triggered transcription templates in the three transcription reaction modules and application of template-specific blocker units, the parallel and gated transiently modulated transcription of two different RNA aptamers is demonstrated. The nickase-stimulated transiently modulated transcription reaction module is applied as a functional circuit guiding the dynamic expression of gated, transiently operating, catalytic DNAzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Itamar Willner
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Center
for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Qin Y, Ouyang Y, Willner I. Nucleic acid-functionalized nanozymes and their applications. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:14301-14318. [PMID: 37646290 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02345a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Nanozymes are inorganic, organic and metal-organic framework nanoparticles that reveal catalytic functions by emulating native enzyme activities. Recently, these nanozymes have attracted growing scientific interest, finding diverse analytical and medical applications. However, the catalytic activities and functions of nanozymes are limited, due to the lack of substrate binding sites that concentrate on the substrate at the catalytic site (molarity effect), introduce substrate specificity and allow functional complexity of the catalysts (cascaded, switchable and cooperative catalysis). The modification of nanozymes with functional nucleic acids provides means to overcome these limitations and engineer nucleic acid/nanozyme hybrids for diverse applications. This is exemplified with the synthesis of aptananozymes, which are supramolecular aptamer-modified nanozymes. Aptananozymes exhibit combined specific binding and catalytic properties that drive diverse chemical transformations, revealing enhanced catalytic activities, as compared to the separated nanozyme/aptamer constituents. Relationships of structure-catalytic functions in the aptananozyme constructs are demonstrated. In addition, modification of nanozymes exhibiting multimodal catalytic functions with aptamers allows the engineering of nanozyme-based bioreactors for cascaded catalysis. Also, the functionalization of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating nanozymes with cancer cell-recognizing aptamers yields aptananozymes for targeted chemodynamic treatment of cancer cells and cancer tumors elicited in mice. Finally, nucleic acid-modified enzyme (glucose oxidase)-loaded metal-organic framework nanoparticles yield switchable biocatalytic nanozymes that drive the ON/OFF biocatalyzed oxidation of Amplex Red, dopamine or the generation of chemiluminescence. Herein, future challenges of the topic are addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Qin
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
| | - Yu Ouyang
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
| | - Itamar Willner
- The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Koroleva M. Multicompartment colloid systems with lipid and polymer membranes for biomedical applications. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:21836-21859. [PMID: 37565484 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp01984e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Multicompartment structures have the potential for biomedical applications because they can act as multifunctional systems and provide simultaneous delivery of drugs and diagnostics agents of different types. Moreover, some of them mimic biological cells to some extent with organelles as separate sub-compartments. This article analyses multicompartment colloidal structures with smaller sub-units covered with lipid or polymer membranes that provide additional protection for the encapsulated substances. Vesosomes with small vesicles encapsulated in the inner pools of larger liposomes are the most studied systems to date. Dendrimer molecules are enclosed by a lipid bilayer shell in dendrosomes. Capsosomes, polymersomes-in-polymer capsules, and cubosomes-in-polymer capsules are composed of sub-compartments encapsulated within closed multilayer polymer membranes. Janus or Cerberus emulsions contain droplets composed of two or three phases: immiscible oils in O/W emulsions and aqueous polymer or salt solutions that are separated into two or three phases and form connected droplets in W/O emulsions. In more cases, the external surface of engulfed droplets in Janus or Cerberus emulsions is covered with a lipid or polymer monolayer. eLiposomes with emulsion droplets encapsulated into a bilayer shell have been given little attention so far, but they have very great prospects. In addition to nanoemulsion droplets, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and inorganic nanoparticles can be loaded into eLiposomes. Molecular engineering of the external membrane allows the creation of ligand-targeted and stimuli-responsive multifunctional systems. As a result, the efficacy of drug delivery can be significantly enhanced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Koroleva
- Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology, Miusskaya sq. 9, Moscow 125047.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Li Z, Wang J, O’Hagan MP, Huang F, Xia F, Willner I. Dynamic Fusion of Nucleic Acid Functionalized Nano-/Micro-Cell-Like Containments: From Basic Concepts to Applications. ACS NANO 2023; 17:15308-15327. [PMID: 37549398 PMCID: PMC10448756 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Membrane fusion processes play key roles in biological transformations, such as endocytosis/exocytosis, signal transduction, neurotransmission, or viral infections, and substantial research efforts have been directed to emulate these functions by artificial means. The recognition and dynamic reconfiguration properties of nucleic acids provide a versatile means to induce membrane fusion. Here we address recent advances in the functionalization of liposomes or membranes with structurally engineered lipidated nucleic acids guiding the fusion of cell-like containments, and the biophysical and chemical parameters controlling the fusion of the liposomes will be discussed. Intermembrane bridging by duplex or triplex nucleic acids and light-induced activation of membrane-associated nucleic acid constituents provide the means for spatiotemporal fusion of liposomes or nucleic acid modified liposome fusion with native cell membranes. The membrane fusion processes lead to exchange of loads in the fused containments and are a means to integrate functional assemblies. This is exemplified with the operation of biocatalytic cascades and dynamic DNA polymerization/nicking or transcription machineries in fused protocell systems. Membrane fusion processes of protocell assemblies are found to have important drug-delivery, therapeutic, sensing, and biocatalytic applications. The future challenges and perspectives of DNA-guided fused containments and membranes are addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Li
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Jianbang Wang
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Michael P. O’Hagan
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Fujian Huang
- State
Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering
Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty
of Materials Science and Chemistry, China
University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Xia
- State
Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering
Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty
of Materials Science and Chemistry, China
University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People’s Republic of China
| | - Itamar Willner
- The
Institute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Nair KS, Bajaj H. Advances in giant unilamellar vesicle preparation techniques and applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 318:102935. [PMID: 37320960 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are versatile and promising cell-sized bio-membrane mimetic platforms. Their applications range from understanding and quantifying membrane biophysical processes to acting as elementary blocks in the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cells. Definite properties and requisite goals in GUVs are dictated by the preparation techniques critical to the success of their applications. Here, we review key advances in giant unilamellar vesicle preparation techniques and discuss their formation mechanisms. Developments in lipid hydration and emulsion techniques for GUV preparation are described. Novel microfluidic-based techniques involving lipid or surfactant-stabilized emulsions are outlined. GUV immobilization strategies are summarized, including gravity-based settling, covalent linking, and immobilization by microfluidic, electric, and magnetic barriers. Moreover, some of the key applications of GUVs as biomimetic and synthetic cell platforms during the last decade have been identified. Membrane interface processes like phase separation, membrane protein reconstitution, and membrane bending have been deciphered using GUVs. In addition, vesicles are also employed as building blocks to construct synthetic cells with defined cell-like functions comprising compartments, metabolic reactors, and abilities to grow and divide. We critically discuss the pros and cons of preparation technologies and the properties they confer to the GUVs and identify potential techniques for dedicated applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karthika S Nair
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Harsha Bajaj
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhou Z, Lin N, Ouyang Y, Liu S, Zhang Y, Willner I. Cascaded, Feedback-Driven, and Spatially Localized Emergence of Constitutional Dynamic Networks Driven by Enzyme-Free Catalytic DNA Circuits. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37257165 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The enzyme-free catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) process is introduced as a functional reaction module for guided, high-throughput, emergence, and evolution of constitutional dynamic networks, CDNs, from a set of nucleic acids. The process is applied to assemble networks of variable complexities, functionalities, and spatial confinement, and the systems provide possible mechanistic pathways for the evolution of dynamic networks under prebiotic conditions. Subjecting a set of four or six structurally engineered hairpins to a promoter P1 leads to the CHA-guided emergence of a [2 × 2] CDN or the evolution of a [3 × 3] CDN, respectively. Reacting of a set of branched three-arm DNA-hairpin-functionalized junctions to the promoter strand activates the CHA-induced emergence of a three-dimensional (3D) CDN framework emulating native gene regulatory networks. In addition, activation of a two-layer CHA cascade circuit or a cross-catalytic CHA circuit and cascaded driving feedback-driven evolution of CDNs are demonstrated. Also, subjecting a four-hairpin-modified DNA tetrahedron nanostructure to an auxiliary promoter strand simulates the evolution of a dynamically equilibrated DNA tetrahedron-based CDN that undergoes secondary fueled dynamic reconfiguration. Finally, the effective permeation of DNA tetrahedron structures into cells is utilized to integrate the four-hairpin-functionalized tetrahedron reaction module into cells. The spatially localized miRNA-triggered CHA evolution and reconfiguration of CDNs allowed the logic-gated imaging of intracellular RNAs. Beyond the bioanalytical applications of the systems, the study introduces possible mechanistic pathways for the evolution of functional networks under prebiotic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Nina Lin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Yu Ouyang
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Songqin Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Yuanjian Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Itamar Willner
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Rubio-Sánchez R, Mognetti BM, Cicuta P, Di Michele L. DNA-Origami Line-Actants Control Domain Organization and Fission in Synthetic Membranes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:11265-11275. [PMID: 37163977 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cells can precisely program the shape and lateral organization of their membranes using protein machinery. Aiming to replicate a comparable degree of control, here we introduce DNA-origami line-actants (DOLAs) as synthetic analogues of membrane-sculpting proteins. DOLAs are designed to selectively accumulate at the line-interface between coexisting domains in phase-separated lipid membranes, modulating the tendency of the domains to coalesce. With experiments and coarse-grained simulations, we demonstrate that DOLAs can reversibly stabilize two-dimensional analogues of Pickering emulsions on synthetic giant liposomes, enabling dynamic programming of membrane lateral organization. The control afforded over membrane structure by DOLAs extends to three-dimensional morphology, as exemplified by a proof-of-concept synthetic pathway leading to vesicle fission. With DOLAs we lay the foundations for mimicking, in synthetic systems, some of the critical membrane-hosted functionalities of biological cells, including signaling, trafficking, sensing, and division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger Rubio-Sánchez
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Bortolo Matteo Mognetti
- Interdisciplinary Center for Nonlinear Phenomena and Complex Systems, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Campus Plaine, CP 231, Boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Jin H, Cui J, Zhan W. Enzymatic Janus Liposome Micromotors. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:4198-4206. [PMID: 36893357 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A liposome-based micromotor system that utilizes regional enzymatic conversion and gas generation to achieve directional motion in water is presented. Constituted mainly of a low-melting lipid and a high-melting lipid together with cholesterol, these liposomes maintain stable Janus configuration at room temperature as a result of lipid liquid-liquid phase separation. Local placement of enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase is realized via affinity binding between avidin and biotin, the latter as a lipid conjugate sorted specifically into one domain of these Janus liposomes as a minor component. In the presence of the substrate, hydrogen peroxide, these enzyme-decorated Janus liposomes undergo directional motion, yielding velocities exceeding thermal diffusion by three folds in some cases. Experimental details on liposome size control, motor assembly, and substrate distribution are presented; effects of key experimental factors on liposome motion, such as substrate concentration and liposome Janus ratio, are also examined. This work thus provides a viable approach to building asymmetrical lipid-assembled, enzyme-attached colloids and, in addition, stresses the importance of asymmetry in achieving particle directional motion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Jinyan Cui
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Wei Zhan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Arulkumaran N, Singer M, Howorka S, Burns JR. Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1314. [PMID: 36898984 PMCID: PMC10006096 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36875-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Building synthetic protocells and prototissues hinges on the formation of biomimetic skeletal frameworks. Recreating the complexity of cytoskeletal and exoskeletal fibers, with their widely varying dimensions, cellular locations and functions, represents a major material hurdle and intellectual challenge which is compounded by the additional demand of using simple building blocks to ease fabrication and control. Here we harness simplicity to create complexity by assembling structural frameworks from subunits that can support membrane-based protocells and prototissues. We show that five oligonucleotides can anneal into nanotubes or fibers whose tunable thicknesses and lengths spans four orders of magnitude. We demonstrate that the assemblies' location inside protocells is controllable to enhance their mechanical, functional and osmolar stability. Furthermore, the macrostructures can coat the outside of protocells to mimic exoskeletons and support the formation of millimeter-scale prototissues. Our strategy could be exploited in the bottom-up design of synthetic cells and tissues, to the generation of smart material devices in medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nishkantha Arulkumaran
- Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Mervyn Singer
- Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Stefan Howorka
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University Collegfige London, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Jonathan R Burns
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University Collegfige London, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Udono H, Gong J, Sato Y, Takinoue M. DNA Droplets: Intelligent, Dynamic Fluid. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200180. [PMID: 36470673 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breathtaking advances in DNA nanotechnology have established DNA as a promising biomaterial for the fabrication of programmable higher-order nano/microstructures. In the context of developing artificial cells and tissues, DNA droplets have emerged as a powerful platform for creating intelligent, dynamic cell-like machinery. DNA droplets are a microscale membrane-free coacervate of DNA formed through phase separation. This new type of DNA system couples dynamic fluid-like property with long-established DNA programmability. This hybrid nature offers an advantageous route to facile and robust control over the structures, functions, and behaviors of DNA droplets. This review begins by describing programmable DNA condensation, commenting on the physical properties and fabrication strategies of DNA hydrogels and droplets. By presenting an overview of the development pathways leading to DNA droplets, it is shown that DNA technology has evolved from static, rigid systems to soft, dynamic systems. Next, the basic characteristics of DNA droplets are described as intelligent, dynamic fluid by showcasing the latest examples highlighting their distinctive features related to sequence-specific interactions and programmable mechanical properties. Finally, this review discusses the potential and challenges of numerical modeling able to connect a robust link between individual sequences and macroscopic mechanical properties of DNA droplets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotake Udono
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Jing Gong
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sato
- Department of Intelligent and Control Systems, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 680-4 Kawazu, Iizuka, Fukuoka, 820-8502, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
- Living Systems Materialogy (LiSM) Research Group, International Research Frontiers Initiative (IRFI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Li G, Zuo YY. Molecular and colloidal self-assembly at the oil–water interface. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2022.101639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
21
|
Sabet FK, Bahrami A, Bahrami AH. Compartmentalizing and sculpting nanovesicles by phase-separated aqueous nanodroplets. RSC Adv 2022; 12:32035-32045. [PMID: 36380920 PMCID: PMC9642337 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra05855c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Phase-separated liquid droplets inside giant vesicles have been intensely studied as biomimetic model systems to understand cellular microcompartmentation and molecular crowding and sorting. On the nanoscale, however, how aqueous nanodroplets interact with and shape nanovesicles is poorly understood. We perform coarse-grained molecular simulations to explore the architecture of compartmentalized nanovesicles by phase-separated aqueous nanodroplets, and their morphological evolution under osmotic deflation. We show that phase separation of a biphasic liquid mixture can form both stable two-compartment and meta-stable multi-compartment nanovesicles. We identify morphological transitions of stable two-compartment nanovesicles between tube, sheet and cup morphologies, characterized by membrane asymmetry and phase-separation propensity between the aqueous phases. We demonstrate that the formation of local sheets and in turn cup-shaped nanovesicles is promoted by negative line tensions resulting from large separation propensities, an exclusive nanoscale phenomenon which is not expected for larger vesicles where energetic contributions of the line tensions are dominated by those of the membrane tensions. Despite their instability, we observe long-lived multi-compartment nanovesicles, such as nanotubules and branched tubules, whose prolonged lifetime is attributed to interfacial tensions and membrane asymmetry. Aqueous nanodroplets can thus form novel membrane nanostructures, crucial for cellular processes and forming cellular organelles on the nanoscale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Kazemi Sabet
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran North Kargar St. 14399-57131 Tehran Iran
| | - Arash Bahrami
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran North Kargar St. 14399-57131 Tehran Iran
| | - Amir H Bahrami
- UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center and Institute of Materials Science & Nanotechnology, Bilkent University Ankara Turkey
- Living Matter Physics, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization 37077 Göttingen Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jiang W, Wu Z, Gao Z, Wan M, Zhou M, Mao C, Shen J. Artificial Cells: Past, Present and Future. ACS NANO 2022; 16:15705-15733. [PMID: 36226996 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are constructed to imitate natural cells and allow researchers to explore biological process and the origin of life. The construction methods for artificial cells, through both top-down or bottom-up approaches, have achieved great progress over the past decades. Here we present a comprehensive overview on the development of artificial cells and their properties and applications. Artificial cells are derived from lipids, polymers, lipid/polymer hybrids, natural cell membranes, colloidosome, metal-organic frameworks and coacervates. They can be endowed with various functions through the incorporation of proteins and genes on the cell surface or encapsulated inside of the cells. These modulations determine the properties of artificial cells, including producing energy, cell growth, morphology change, division, transmembrane transport, environmental response, motility and chemotaxis. Multiple applications of these artificial cells are discussed here with a focus on therapeutic applications. Artificial cells are used as carriers for materials and information exchange and have been shown to function as targeted delivery systems of personalized drugs. Additionally, artificial cells can function to substitute for cells with impaired function. Enzyme therapy and immunotherapy using artificial cells have been an intense focus of research. Finally, prospects of future development of cell-mimic properties and broader applications are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Jiang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ziyu Wu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zheng Gao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Mimi Wan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Chun Mao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian Shen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Stimuli-responsive vesicles as distributed artificial organelles for bacterial activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2206563119. [PMID: 36223394 PMCID: PMC9586261 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206563119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular communication is a hallmark of living systems. As such, engineering artificial cells that possess this behavior has been at the heart of activities in bottom-up synthetic biology. Communication between artificial and living cells has potential to confer novel capabilities to living organisms that could be exploited in biomedicine and biotechnology. However, most current approaches rely on the exchange of chemical signals that cannot be externally controlled. Here, we report two types of remote-controlled vesicle-based artificial organelles that translate physical inputs into chemical messages that lead to bacterial activation. Upon light or temperature stimulation, artificial cell membranes are activated, releasing signaling molecules that induce protein expression in Escherichia coli. This distributed approach differs from established methods for engineering stimuli-responsive bacteria. Here, artificial cells (as opposed to bacterial cells themselves) are the design unit. Having stimuli-responsive elements compartmentalized in artificial cells has potential applications in therapeutics, tissue engineering, and bioremediation. It will underpin the design of hybrid living/nonliving systems where temporal control over population interactions can be exerted.
Collapse
|
24
|
Takamori S, Cicuta P, Takeuchi S, Di Michele L. DNA-assisted selective electrofusion (DASE) of Escherichia coli and giant lipid vesicles. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:14255-14267. [PMID: 36129323 PMCID: PMC9536516 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr03105a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology and cellular engineering require chemical and physical alterations, which are typically achieved by fusing target cells with each other or with payload-carrying vectors. On one hand, electrofusion can efficiently induce the merging of biological cells and/or synthetic analogues via the application of intense DC pulses, but it lacks selectivity and often leads to uncontrolled fusion. On the other hand, synthetic DNA-based constructs, inspired by natural fusogenic proteins, have been shown to induce a selective fusion between membranes, albeit with low efficiency. Here we introduce DNA-assisted selective electrofusion (DASE) which relies on membrane-anchored DNA constructs to bring together the objects one seeks to merge, and applying an electric impulse to trigger their fusion. The DASE process combines the efficiency of standard electrofusion and the selectivity of fusogenic nanostructures, as we demonstrate by inducing and characterizing the fusion of spheroplasts derived from Escherichia coli bacteria with cargo-carrying giant lipid vesicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sho Takamori
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan
- Department of Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK.
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Das S, Noh J, Cao W, Sun H, Gianneschi NC, Abbott NL. Using Nanoscopic Solvent Defects for the Spatial and Temporal Manipulation of Single Assemblies of Molecules. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:7506-7514. [PMID: 36094850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here we report the use of defects in ordered solvents to form, manipulate, and characterize individual molecular assemblies of either small-molecule amphiphiles or polymers. The approach exploits nanoscopic control of the structure of nematic solvents (achieved by the introduction of topological defects) to trigger the formation of molecular assemblies and the subsequent manipulation of defects using electric fields. We show that molecular assemblies formed in solvent defects slow defect motion in the presence of an electric field and that time-of-flight measurements correlate with assembly size, suggesting methods for the characterization of single assemblies of molecules. Solvent defects are also used to transport single assemblies of molecules between solvent locations that differ in composition, enabling the assembly and disassembly of molecular "nanocontainers". Overall, our results provide new methods for studying molecular self-assembly at the single-assembly level and new principles for integrated nanoscale chemical systems that use solvent defects to transport and position molecular cargo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soumik Das
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - JungHyun Noh
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and the Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and the Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and the Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Leathers A, Walczak M, Brady RA, Al Samad A, Kotar J, Booth MJ, Cicuta P, Di Michele L. Reaction–Diffusion Patterning of DNA-Based Artificial Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:17468-17476. [PMID: 36103297 PMCID: PMC9523701 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Biological cells display complex internal architectures
with distinct
micro environments that establish the chemical heterogeneity needed
to sustain cellular functions. The continued efforts to create advanced
cell mimics, namely, artificial cells, demands strategies for constructing
similarly heterogeneous structures with localized functionalities.
Here, we introduce a platform for constructing membraneless artificial
cells from the self-assembly of synthetic DNA nanostructures in which
internal domains can be established thanks to prescribed reaction–diffusion
waves. The method, rationalized through numerical modeling, enables
the formation of up to five distinct concentric environments in which
functional moieties can be localized. As a proof-of-concept, we apply
this platform to build DNA-based artificial cells in which a prototypical
nucleus synthesizes fluorescent RNA aptamers that then accumulate
in a surrounding storage shell, thus demonstrating the spatial segregation
of functionalities reminiscent of that observed in biological cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Leathers
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Michal Walczak
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Ryan A. Brady
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 1DB, U.K
| | - Assala Al Samad
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, U.K
| | - Jurij Kotar
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Michael J. Booth
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, U.K
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, U.K
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Spontaneous formation of a self-healing carbon nanoskin at the liquid-liquid interface. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4950. [PMID: 35999197 PMCID: PMC9399178 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31277-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological membranes exhibit the ability to self-repair and dynamically change their shape while remaining impermeable. Yet, these defining features are difficult to reconcile with mechanical robustness. Here, we report on the spontaneous formation of a carbon nanoskin at the oil-water interface that uniquely combines self-healing attributes with high stiffness. Upon the diffusion-controlled self-assembly of a reactive molecular surfactant at the interface, a solid elastic membrane forms within seconds and evolves into a continuous carbon monolayer with a thickness of a few nanometers. This nanoskin has a stiffness typical for a 2D carbon material with an elastic modulus in bending of more than 40-100 GPa; while brittle, it shows the ability to self-heal upon rupture, can be reversibly reshaped, and sustains complex shapes. We anticipate such an unusual 2D carbon nanomaterial to inspire novel approaches towards the formation of synthetic cells with rigid shells, additive manufacturing of composites, and compartmentalization in industrial catalysis.
Collapse
|
28
|
Cao S, da Silva LC, Landfester K. Light‐Activated Membrane Transport in Polymeric Cell‐Mimics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202205266. [PMID: 35759257 PMCID: PMC9542181 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202205266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shoupeng Cao
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research 55128 Mainz Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hao Y, Zhang T, Tian D, Hao X, Zhang X, Yang H. Tri-templating Synthesis of Multilevel Mesoporous Silica Microspheres with a Complex Interior Structure for Efficient CO 2 Capture and Catalysis. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:9421-9430. [PMID: 35849727 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multilevel porous architectures with microscopic shape control and tailor-made complex structures offer great potential for various innovative applications, but their elaborate design and synthesis have remained a scientific and technological challenge. Herein, we report a simple and effective tri-templating method, in which microscale Pickering droplets, nanoscale polystyrene colloids (PS), and molecular cetyltrimethylammonium chloride micelles are synchronously employed, for the fabrication of such micro-nanohierarchical mesoporous silica microspheres. In this protocol, Pickering droplet-directed interfacial sol-gel growth and its spatially confined surfactant assembly-directed sol-gel coating on PS suspensions are coupled together, enabling the successful formation of structured mesoporous silica that consists of numerous nanocompartments enclosed by a permeable shell. By varying the quantity of PS colloidal templates, rational regulation of the complex interior structure is achieved. Also, ascribed to the multilevel arrangement, this peculiar architecture not only shows desirable fast mass transport of external molecules but also possesses easy handling ability. After loading with tetraethylenepentamine or enzyme species, the yielded microspherical CO2 sorbents or immobilized biocatalysts, respectively, exhibit enhanced CO2 capture capacity and enzymatic catalysis efficiency. Notably, taking advantage of their microscopic characteristics, the immobilized biocatalysts could be ideally packed in a fixed-bed reactor for long-term continuous-flow enzymatic reactions. This tri-templating strategy provides a new synthetic route to access other multilevel microscopic materials with fascinating complex structures and paves a way to promote their practical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Hao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Danping Tian
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoting Hao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Hengquan Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Recent years have seen substantial efforts aimed at constructing artificial cells from various molecular components with the aim of mimicking the processes, behaviours and architectures found in biological systems. Artificial cell development ultimately aims to produce model constructs that progress our understanding of biology, as well as forming the basis for functional bio-inspired devices that can be used in fields such as therapeutic delivery, biosensing, cell therapy and bioremediation. Typically, artificial cells rely on a bilayer membrane chassis and have fluid aqueous interiors to mimic biological cells. However, a desire to more accurately replicate the gel-like properties of intracellular and extracellular biological environments has driven increasing efforts to build cell mimics based on hydrogels. This has enabled researchers to exploit some of the unique functional properties of hydrogels that have seen them deployed in fields such as tissue engineering, biomaterials and drug delivery. In this Review, we explore how hydrogels can be leveraged in the context of artificial cell development. We also discuss how hydrogels can potentially be incorporated within the next generation of artificial cells to engineer improved biological mimics and functional microsystems.
Collapse
|
31
|
Lu T, Liese S, Schoenmakers L, Weber CA, Suzuki H, Huck WTS, Spruijt E. Endocytosis of Coacervates into Liposomes. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:13451-13455. [PMID: 35878395 PMCID: PMC9354246 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c04096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the interactions between condensates and biological membranes are of functional importance. Here, we study how the interaction between complex coacervates and liposomes as model systems can lead to wetting, membrane deformation, and endocytosis. Depending on the interaction strength between coacervates and liposomes, the wetting behavior ranged from nonwetting to engulfment (endocytosis) and complete wetting. Endocytosis of coacervates was found to be a general phenomenon: coacervates made from a wide range of components could be taken up by liposomes. A simple theory taking into account surface energies and coacervate sizes can explain the observed morphologies. Our findings can help to better understand condensate-membrane interactions in cellular systems and provide new avenues for intracellular delivery using coacervates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiemei Lu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Liese
- Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Ludo Schoenmakers
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christoph A Weber
- Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Hiroaki Suzuki
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Baxani DK, Jamieson WD, Barrow DA, Castell OK. Encapsulated droplet interface bilayers as a platform for high-throughput membrane studies. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5089-5096. [PMID: 35766018 PMCID: PMC9277618 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01111a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Whilst it is highly desirable to produce artificial lipid bilayer arrays allowing for systematic high-content screening of membrane conditions, it remains a challenge due to the combined requirements of scaled membrane production, simple measurement access, and independent control over individual bilayer experimental conditions. Here, droplet bilayers encapsulated within a hydrogel shell are output individually into multi-well plates for simple, arrayed quantitative measurements. The afforded experimental throughput is used to conduct a 2D concentration screen characterising the synergistic pore-forming peptides Magainin2 and PGLa. Maximal enhanced activity is revealed at equimolar peptide concentrations via a membrane dye leakage assay, a finding consistent with models proposed from NMR data. The versatility of the platform is demonstrated by performing in situ electrophysiology, revealing low conductance pore activity (∼15 to 20 pA with 4.5 pA sub-states). In conclusion, this array platform addresses the aforementioned challenges and provides new and flexible opportunities for high-throughput membrane studies. Furthermore, the ability to engineer droplet networks within each construct paves the way for "lab-in-a-capsule" approaches accommodating multiple assays per construct and allowing for communicative reaction pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D K Baxani
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, CF10 3NB Cardiff, UK.
| | - W D Jamieson
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, CF10 3NB Cardiff, UK.
| | - D A Barrow
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, 14-17 The Parade, CF4 3AA Cardiff, UK
| | - O K Castell
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, CF10 3NB Cardiff, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Cao S, da Silva LC, Landfester K. Light‐Activated Membrane Transport in Polymeric Cell‐Mimics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202205266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shoupeng Cao
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research 55128 Mainz Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Dhasaiyan P, Ghosh T, Lee HG, Lee Y, Hwang I, Mukhopadhyay RD, Park KM, Shin S, Kang IS, Kim K. Cascade reaction networks within audible sound induced transient domains in a solution. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2372. [PMID: 35501325 PMCID: PMC9061750 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30124-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractSpatiotemporal control of chemical cascade reactions within compartmentalized domains is one of the difficult challenges to achieve. To implement such control, scientists have been working on the development of various artificial compartmentalized systems such as liposomes, vesicles, polymersomes, etc. Although a considerable amount of progress has been made in this direction, one still needs to develop alternative strategies for controlling cascade reaction networks within spatiotemporally controlled domains in a solution, which remains a non-trivial issue. Herein, we present the utilization of audible sound induced liquid vibrations for the generation of transient domains in an aqueous medium, which can be used for the control of cascade chemical reactions in a spatiotemporal fashion. This approach gives us access to highly reproducible spatiotemporal chemical gradients and patterns, in situ growth and aggregation of gold nanoparticles at predetermined locations or domains formed in a solution. Our strategy also gives us access to nanoparticle patterned hydrogels and their applications for region specific cell growth.
Collapse
|
35
|
Gözen I, Köksal ES, Põldsalu I, Xue L, Spustova K, Pedrueza-Villalmanzo E, Ryskulov R, Meng F, Jesorka A. Protocells: Milestones and Recent Advances. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2106624. [PMID: 35322554 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202106624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The origin of life is still one of humankind's great mysteries. At the transition between nonliving and living matter, protocells, initially featureless aggregates of abiotic matter, gain the structure and functions necessary to fulfill the criteria of life. Research addressing protocells as a central element in this transition is diverse and increasingly interdisciplinary. The authors review current protocell concepts and research directions, address milestones, challenges and existing hypotheses in the context of conditions on the early Earth, and provide a concise overview of current protocell research methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irep Gözen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Elif Senem Köksal
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Inga Põldsalu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Lin Xue
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Karolina Spustova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Esteban Pedrueza-Villalmanzo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
- Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg, Universitetsplatsen 1, Gothenburg, 40530, Sweden
| | - Ruslan Ryskulov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Fanda Meng
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
- School of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Aldo Jesorka
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhu L, Li B, Chen D, Chen N, Xu L, Li Q, Chen X. sSTEAP4 regulates cellular homeostasis and improves high-fat-diet-caused oxidative stress in hepatocytes. Life Sci 2022; 296:120438. [PMID: 35227772 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global epidemic, but its pathogenesis is unclear. STEAP4, a member of six transmembrane protein family, integrates inflammatory and metabolic responses. Our present aim is to explore the roles of STEAP4 in maintaining cellular homeostasis and improving high-fat-diet (HFD)-caused oxidative stress in hepatocytes. MAIN METHODS NAFLD model was established by HFD-feeding mice. The effects of over-nutrition on liver were detected by serum biochemical analysis and bulk RNA-seq. The levels of gene expression were measured by QPCR and Western Blot. Immunofluorescent staining was applied to determine the localization of STEAP4. AMPK agonist was employed to investigate the link between STEAP4 and AMPK pathway. KEY FINDINGS Sus scrofa STEAP4 (sSTEAP4) relieved oxidative stress and rescued the viability of hepatocytes. sSTEAP4 increased AKT phosphorylation and SOD2 level in hepatocytes, whether or not treated with H2O2, suggesting sSTEAP4 has regulatory effects on insulin signaling and antioxidant pathways. However, sSTEAP4 inhibited AMPK phosphorylation and Beclin1/LC3 expression under H2O2-deficiency situation, but the results were conversed with H2O2 stimulation. The cellular ER stress was aggravated with the increased energy during oxidative stress, indicating that sSTEAP4 might regulate the energetic communication between ER and mitochondria by intervening mitochondrial energy production. In addition, sSTEAP4 was demonstrated to localize in the membranes of plasma and ER in HepG2 hepatocytes. SIGNIFICANCE Our results reveal that sSTEAP4 based on the needs of cell itself to improve hepatic oxidative stress and HFD-caused NAFLD, which might provide a new therapeutic scheme for NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongqin Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Le Xu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinjin Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Contini C, Hu W, Elani Y. Manufacturing polymeric porous capsules. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:4409-4419. [PMID: 35298578 PMCID: PMC8981216 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc06565c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Polymeric porous capsules represent hugely promising systems that allow a size-selective through-shell material exchange with their surroundings. They have vast potential in applications ranging from drug delivery and chemical microreactors to artificial cell science and synthetic biology. Due to their porous core-shell structure, polymeric porous capsules possess an enhanced permeability that enables the exchange of small molecules while retaining larger compounds and macromolecules. The cross-capsule transfer of material is regulated by their pore size cut-off, which depends on the molecular composition and adopted fabrication method. This review outlines the main strategies for manufacturing polymeric porous capsules and provides some practical guidance for designing polymeric capsules with controlled pore size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Contini
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
- FabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Wenyi Hu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
- FabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Aubry G, Milisavljevic M, Lu H. Automated and Dynamic Control of Chemical Content in Droplets for Scalable Screens of Small Animals. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2200319. [PMID: 35229457 PMCID: PMC9050880 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Screening functional phenotypes in small animals is important for genetics and drug discovery. Multiphase microfluidics has great potential for enhancing throughput but has been hampered by inefficient animal encapsulation and limited control over the animal's environment in droplets. Here, a highly efficient single-animal encapsulation unit, a liquid exchanger system for controlling the droplet chemical environment dynamically, and an automation scheme for the programming and robust execution of complex protocols are demonstrated. By careful use of interfacial forces, the liquid exchanger unit allows for adding and removing chemicals from a droplet and, therefore, generating chemical gradients inaccessible in previous multiphase systems. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an example, it is demonstrated that these advances can serve to analyze dynamic phenotyping, such as behavior and neuronal activity, perform forward genetic screen, and are scalable to manipulate animals of different sizes. This platform paves the way for large-scale screens of complex dynamic phenotypes in small animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Aubry
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Marija Milisavljevic
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Hang Lu
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Liu Z, Lin L, Li T, Kinnun J, Hong K, Ma YZ, Sacci RL, Katsaras J, Carrillo JM, Doughty B, Collier CP. Squeezing Out Interfacial Solvation: The Role of Hydrogen-Bonding in the Structural and Orientational Freedom of Molecular Self-Assembly. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:2273-2280. [PMID: 35239358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c03941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bioinspired membrane molecules with improved physical properties and enhanced stability can serve as functional models for conventional lipid or amphiphilic species. Importantly, these molecules can also provide new insights into emergent phenomena that manifest during self-assembly at interfaces. Here, we elucidate the structural response and mechanistic steps underlying the self-assembly of the amphiphilic, charged oligodimethylsiloxane imidazolium cation (ODMS-MIM+) at the air-aqueous interface using Langmuir trough methods with coincident surface-specific vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy. We find evidence for a new compression-induced desolvation step that precedes commonly known disordered-to-ordered phase transitions to form nanoscopic assemblies. The experimental data was supported by atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to provide a detailed mechanistic picture underlying the assembly and the role of water in these phase transitions. The sensitivity of the hydrophobic ODMS tail conformations to compression─owing to distinct water-ODMS interactions and tail-tail solvation properties─offers new strategies for the design of interfaces that can be further used to develop soft-matter electronics and low-dimensional materials using physical and chemical controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zening Liu
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Lu Lin
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Jacob Kinnun
- Neutron Scattering Division and Shull Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Kunlun Hong
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Ying-Zhong Ma
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Robert L Sacci
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - John Katsaras
- Neutron Scattering Division and Shull Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Jan-Michael Carrillo
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Benjamin Doughty
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Charles Patrick Collier
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lu Y, Allegri G, Huskens J. Vesicle-based artificial cells: materials, construction methods and applications. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:892-907. [PMID: 34908080 PMCID: PMC8900604 DOI: 10.1039/d1mh01431e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The construction of artificial cells with specific cell-mimicking functions helps to explore complex biological processes and cell functions in natural cell systems and provides an insight into the origins of life. Bottom-up methods are widely used for engineering artificial cells based on vesicles by the in vitro assembly of biomimetic materials. In this review, the design of artificial cells with a specific function is discussed, by considering the selection of synthetic materials and construction technologies. First, a range of biomimetic materials for artificial cells is reviewed, including lipid, polymeric and hybrid lipid/copolymer materials. Biomaterials extracted from natural cells are also covered in this part. Then, the formation of microscale, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) is reviewed based on different technologies, including gentle hydration, electro-formation, phase transfer and microfluidic methods. Subsequently, applications of artificial cells based on single vesicles or vesicle networks are addressed for mimicking cell behaviors and signaling processes. Microreactors for synthetic biology and cell-cell communication are highlighted here as well. Finally, current challenges and future trends for the development and applications of artificial cells are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- Molecular NanoFabrication Group, Department of Molecules & Materials, MESA+ Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Giulia Allegri
- Molecular NanoFabrication Group, Department of Molecules & Materials, MESA+ Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Jurriaan Huskens
- Molecular NanoFabrication Group, Department of Molecules & Materials, MESA+ Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Miele Y, Jones SJ, Rossi F, Beales PA, Taylor AF. Collective Behavior of Urease pH Clocks in Nano- and Microvesicles Controlled by Fast Ammonia Transport. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:1979-1984. [PMID: 35188399 PMCID: PMC9007528 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The transmission of chemical signals via an extracellular solution plays a vital role in collective behavior in cellular biological systems and may be exploited in applications of lipid vesicles such as drug delivery. Here, we investigated chemical communication in synthetic micro- and nanovesicles containing urease in a solution of urea and acid. We combined experiments with simulations to demonstrate that the fast transport of ammonia to the external solution governs the pH-time profile and synchronizes the timing of the pH clock reaction in a heterogeneous population of vesicles. This study shows how the rate of production and emission of a small basic product controls pH changes in active vesicles with a distribution of sizes and enzyme amounts, which may be useful in bioreactor or healthcare applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ylenia Miele
- Department
of Chemistry and Biology, University of
Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Stephen J. Jones
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Federico Rossi
- Department
of Earth, Environmental and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Pian dei Mantellini 44, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paul A. Beales
- School
of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Annette F. Taylor
- Chemical
and Biological Engineering, University of
Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Strutt R, Sheffield F, Barlow NE, Flemming AJ, Harling JD, Law RV, Brooks NJ, Barter LMC, Ces O. UV-DIB: label-free permeability determination using droplet interface bilayers. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:972-985. [PMID: 35107110 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01155c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Simple diffusion of molecular entities through a phospholipid bilayer, is a phenomenon of great importance to the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Current model lipid systems to probe this typically only employ fluorescence as a readout, thus limiting the range of assessable chemical matter that can be studied. We report a new technology platform, the UV-DIB, which facilitates label free measurement of small molecule translocation rates. This is based upon the coupling of droplet interface bilayer technology with implemented fiber optics to facilitate analysis via ultraviolet spectroscopy, in custom designed PMMA wells. To improve on current DIB technology, the platform was designed to be reusable, with a high sampling rate and a limit of UV detection in the low μM regime. We demonstrate the use of our system to quantify passive diffusion in a reproducible and rapid manner where the system was validated by investigating multiple permeants of varying physicochemical properties across a range of lipid interfaces, each demonstrating differing kinetics. Our system permits the interrogation of structural dependence on the permeation rate of a given compound. We present this ability from two structural perspectives, that of the membrane, and the permeant. We observed a reduction in permeability between pure DOPC and DPhPC interfaces, concurring with literature and demonstrating our ability to study the effects of lipid composition on permeability. In relation to the effects of permeant structure, our device facilitated the rank ordering of various compounds from the xanthine class of compounds, where the structure of each permeant differed by a single group alteration. We found that DIBs were stable up to 5% DMSO, a molecule often used to aid solubilisation of pharmaceutical and agrochemical compounds. The ability of our device to rank-order compounds with such minor structural differences provides a level of precision that is rarely seen in current, industrially applied technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Strutt
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Felix Sheffield
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Nathan E Barlow
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Anthony J Flemming
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 6EY, UK
| | - John D Harling
- Medicinal Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Robert V Law
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Nicholas J Brooks
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Laura M C Barter
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Zhang P, Fischer A, Ouyang Y, Wang J, Sohn YS, Karmi O, Nechushtai R, Willner I. Biocatalytic cascades and intercommunicated biocatalytic cascades in microcapsule systems. Chem Sci 2022; 13:7437-7448. [PMID: 35872834 PMCID: PMC9241983 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01542k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic dimerization of GOx-loaded microcapsules with β-gal//hemin/G-quadruplex-bridged T1/T2-loaded microcapsules guides the bi-directional intercommunication of the three catalysts cascade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pu Zhang
- Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Amit Fischer
- Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Yu Ouyang
- Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Jianbang Wang
- Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Yang Sung Sohn
- Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Ola Karmi
- Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Rachel Nechushtai
- Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Itamar Willner
- Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Wen P, Wang X, Chen H, Appelhans D, Liu X, Wang L, Huang X. A
pH Self‐Monitoring
Heterogeneous Multicompartmental Proteinosome with Spatiotemporal Regulation of Insulin Transportation. CHINESE J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202100519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wen
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin Heilongjiang 150001 China
| | - Xueyi Wang
- Dongguan Hospital of Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University Dongguan Guangdong 523059 China
| | - Haixu Chen
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin Heilongjiang 150001 China
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Leibniz‐Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6 Dresden 01069 Germany
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin Heilongjiang 150001 China
| | - Lei Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin Heilongjiang 150001 China
| | - Xin Huang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin Heilongjiang 150001 China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
|
46
|
Tang Z, Li X, Tong L, Yang H, Wu J, Zhang X, Song T, Huang S, Zhu F, Chen G, Ouyang G. A Biocatalytic Cascade in an Ultrastable Mesoporous Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework for Point-of-Care Biosensing. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:23608-23613. [PMID: 34459532 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202110351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report the first example of using mesoporous hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (MHOFs) as the protecting scaffold to organize a biocatalytic cascade. The confined microenvironment of MHOFs has robust and large transport channels, allowing the efficient transport of a wide range of biocatalytic substrates. This new MHOF-confined cascade system shows superior activity, extended scope of catalytic substrates, and ultrahigh stability that enables the operation of complex chemical transformations in a porous carrier. In addition, the advantages of MHOF-confined cascades system for point-of-care biosensing are also demonstrated. This study highlights the advantages of HOFs as scaffold for multiple enzyme assemblies, which has huge potential for mimicking complex cellular transformation networks in a controllable manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuopeng Tang
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Linjing Tong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Huangsheng Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jiayi Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xiliu Zhang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Ting Song
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Siming Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Fang Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Guosheng Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Gangfeng Ouyang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Tang Z, Li X, Tong L, Yang H, Wu J, Zhang X, Song T, Huang S, Zhu F, Chen G, Ouyang G. A Biocatalytic Cascade in an Ultrastable Mesoporous Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework for Point‐of‐Care Biosensing. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202110351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuopeng Tang
- Department of Radiology the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510150 China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Department of Radiology the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510150 China
| | - Linjing Tong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry School of Chemistry Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Huangsheng Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry School of Chemistry Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Jiayi Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry School of Chemistry Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Xiliu Zhang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology Hospital of Stomatology Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510120 China
| | - Ting Song
- Department of Radiology the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510150 China
| | - Siming Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 511436 China
| | - Fang Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry School of Chemistry Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Guosheng Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry School of Chemistry Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Gangfeng Ouyang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry School of Chemistry Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Chowdhury MS, Zheng W, Singh AK, Ong ILH, Hou Y, Heyman JA, Faghani A, Amstad E, Weitz DA, Haag R. Linear triglycerol-based fluorosurfactants show high potential for droplet-microfluidics-based biochemical assays. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:7260-7267. [PMID: 34337643 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00890k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fluorosurfactants have expanded the landscape of high-value biochemical assays in microfluidic droplets, but little is known about how the spatial geometries and polarity of the head group contribute to the performance of fluorosurfactants. To decouple this, we design, synthesize, and characterize two linear and two dendritic glycerol- or tris-based surfactants with a common perfluoropolyether tail. To reveal the influence of spatial geometry, we choose inter-droplet cargo transport as a stringent test case. Using surfactants with linear di- and triglycerol, we show that the inter-droplet cargo transport is minimal compared with their dendritic counterparts. When we encapsulated a less-leaky sodium fluorescent dye into the droplets, quantitatively, we find that the mean fluorescence intensity of the PFPE-dTG stabilized PBS-only droplets after 72 h was ∼3 times that of the signal detected in PBS-only droplets stabilized by PFPE-lTG. We also demonstrate that the post-functionalization of PFPE-lTG having a linear geometry and four hydroxy groups enables the 'from-Droplet' fishing of the biotin-streptavidin protein complex without the trade-off between fishing efficiency and droplet stability. Thus, our approach to design user-friendly surfactants reveals the aspects of spatial geometry and facile tunability of the polar head groups that have not been captured or exploited before.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Suman Chowdhury
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Wenshan Zheng
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Irvine Lian Hao Ong
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yong Hou
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - John A Heyman
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Department of Physics, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Abbas Faghani
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Esther Amstad
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David A Weitz
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Department of Physics, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Rainer Haag
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Artificial cells for the treatment of liver diseases. Acta Biomater 2021; 130:98-114. [PMID: 34126265 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden and account for over 2 million deaths every year globally. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they also suffer limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. Artificial cells have demonstrated advantages in long-term storage, targeting capability, and tuneable features. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment. First, the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions are summarized. Then, systems that mimic cell surface properties are introduced with two concepts highlighted: cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells. Next, cell microencapsulation strategy is summarized and discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells are outlined. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they have limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment, including the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions, two systems that mimic cell surface properties (cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells), and cell microencapsulation strategy. We also outline the challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells.
Collapse
|
50
|
Lee H, Kim H, Lee SY. Self-Assembling Peptidic Bolaamphiphiles for Biomimetic Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:3545-3572. [PMID: 34309378 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Bolaamphiphile, which is a class of amphiphilic molecules, has a unique structure of two hydrophilic head groups at the ends of the hydrophobic center. Peptidic bolaamphiphiles that employ peptides or amino acids as their hydrophilic groups exhibit unique biochemical activities when they self-organize into supramolecular structures, which are not observed in a single molecule. The self-assembled peptidic bolaamphiphiles hold considerable promise for imitating proteins with biochemical activities, such as specific affinity toward heterogeneous substances, a catalytic activity similar to a metalloenzyme, physicochemical activity from harmonized amino acid segments, and the capability to encapsulate genes like a viral vector. These diverse activities give rise to large research interest in biomaterials engineering, along with the synthesis and characterization of the assembled structures. This review aims to address the recent progress in the applications of peptidic bolaamphiphile assemblies whose densely packed peptide motifs on their surface and their stacked hydrophobic centers exhibit unique protein-like activity and designer functionality, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyesung Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanbee Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Yup Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|