1
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Gao Z, Sun H, Yang S, Li M, Qi N, Cui J. Red Blood Cell-Like Poly(ethylene glycol) Particles: Influence of Particle Stiffness on Biological Behaviors. ACS Macro Lett 2024:966-971. [PMID: 39038183 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Cell-like particles represent a category of synthetic particles designed to emulate the structures or functions of natural cells. Herein, we present the assembly of cell-like poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) particles with different stiffnesses and shapes via replication of animal cells and investigate the impact of particle stiffness on their biological behaviors. As a proof of concept, we fabricate red blood cell-like and spherical PEG particles with varying cross-linking densities. A systematic exploration of their properties, encompassing morphology, stiffness, deformability, and biodistribution, reveal the vital influence of particle stiffness on in vivo fate, elucidating its role in governing the traversal of capillaries and the dynamic interactions with phagocytic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiliang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Hongning Sun
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Shuang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Mengqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Na Qi
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Jiwei Cui
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Targeted Drug Delivery and Advanced Pharmaceutics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
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2
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Li C, Wang D, Gao H, Fu T, He L, Han D, Tan W. Leveraging DNA-Encoded Cell-Mimics for Environment-Adaptive Transmembrane Channel Release-Induced Cell Death. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202406186. [PMID: 38738850 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202406186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The advancement of cell-mimic materials, which can forge sophisticated physicochemical dialogues with living cells, has unlocked a realm of intriguing prospects within the fields of synthetic biology and biomedical engineering. Inspired by the evolutionarily acquired ability of T lymphocytes to release perforin and generate transmembrane channels on targeted cells for killing, herein we present a pioneering DNA-encoded artificial T cell mimic model (ARTC) that accurately mimics T-cell-like behavior. ARTC responds to acidic conditions similar to those found in the tumor microenvironment and then selectively releases a G-rich DNA strand (LG4) embedded with C12 lipid and cholesterol molecules. Once released, LG4 effectively integrates into the membranes of neighboring live cells, behaving as an artificial transmembrane channel that selectively transports K+ ions and disrupts cellular homeostasis, ultimately inducing apoptosis. We hope that the emergence of ARTC will usher in new perspectives for revolutionizing future disease treatment and catalyzing the development of advanced biomedical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunying Li
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Dan Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Haiyan Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Ting Fu
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Lei He
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Da Han
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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3
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Holkar A, Gao S, Villaseñor K, Lake M, Srivastava S. Quantitative turbidimetric characterization of stabilized complex coacervate dispersions. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:5060-5070. [PMID: 38743276 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01761c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Stabilizing complex coacervate microdroplets is desirable due to their various applications, such as bioreactors, drug delivery vehicles, and encapsulants. Here, we present quantitative characterization of complex coacervate dispersion stability inferred by turbidimetry measurements. The stability of the dispersions is shown to be modulated by the concentrations of comb polyelectrolyte (cPE) stabilizers and salt. We demonstrate cPEs as effective stabilizers for complex coacervate dispersions independent of the chemistry or length of the constituent polyelectrolytes, salts, or preparation routes. By monitoring the temporal evolution of dispersion turbidity, we show that cPEs suppress microdroplet coalescence with minimal change in microdroplet sizes over 48 hours, even at salt concentrations up to 300 mM. The number density and average microdroplet size are shown to be controlled by varying the cPE and salt concentrations. Lastly, turbidity maps, akin to binodal phase maps, depict an expansion of the turbid two-phase region and an increase in the salt resistance of the coacervates upon the introduction of cPEs. The coacervate salt resistance is shown to increase by >3×, and this increase is maintained for up to 15 days, demonstrating that cPEs impart higher salt resistance over extended durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Advait Holkar
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Shang Gao
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Kathleen Villaseñor
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Michael Lake
- NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Samanvaya Srivastava
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
- NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Institute for Carbon Management, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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4
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Wang C, Yang X, Wang Q, Zhang L, Shang L. Glucose Responsive Coacervate Protocells from Microfluidics for Diabetic Wound Healing. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2400712. [PMID: 38768125 PMCID: PMC11267285 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400712] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The hyperglycemic pathophysiological environment in diabetic wounds is a major obstacle that impedes the healing process. Glucose-responsive wound healing materials are a promising approach to address this challenge. In this study, complex coacervate-based protocells are introduced for diabetic wound healing. By employing a microfluidic chip with an external mechanical vibrator, uniform coacervate microdroplets are generated via electrostatic interactions between diethylaminoethyl-dextran and double-stranded DNA. The spontaneous assembly of a phospholipid membrane on the droplet surface enhances its biocompatibility. Glucose oxidase and copper peroxide nanodots are integrated into microdroplets, enabling a glucose-responsive cascade that produces hydroxyl radicals as antibacterial agents. These features contribute to efficient antibacterial activity and wound healing in diabetic mice. The present protocells facilitate intelligent wound management, and the design of cascade catalytic coacervates can contribute to the development of various smart vehicles for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Wang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central HospitalZhongshan‐Xuhui Hospitaland the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigeneticsthe International Co‐Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology)Institutes of Biomedical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200030China
| | - Xinyuan Yang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central HospitalZhongshan‐Xuhui Hospitaland the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigeneticsthe International Co‐Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology)Institutes of Biomedical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200030China
| | - Qiao Wang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central HospitalZhongshan‐Xuhui Hospitaland the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigeneticsthe International Co‐Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology)Institutes of Biomedical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200030China
| | - Linyi Zhang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central HospitalZhongshan‐Xuhui Hospitaland the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigeneticsthe International Co‐Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology)Institutes of Biomedical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200030China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central HospitalZhongshan‐Xuhui Hospitaland the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigeneticsthe International Co‐Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology)Institutes of Biomedical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200030China
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5
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Zhang L, Chen M, Wang Z, Zhong M, Chen H, Li T, Wang L, Zhao Z, Zhang XB, Ke G, Liu Y, Tan W. Spatiotemporal Regulation of Cell Fate in Living Systems Using Photoactivatable Artificial DNA Membraneless Organelles. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:1201-1210. [PMID: 38947212 PMCID: PMC11212128 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Coacervates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation emerge as important biomimetic models for studying the dynamic behaviors of membraneless organelles and synchronously motivating the creation of smart architectures with the regulation of cell fate. Despite continuous progress, it remains challenging to balance the trade-offs among structural stability, versatility, and molecular communication for regulation of cell fate and systemic investigation in a complex physiological system. Herein, we present a self-stabilizing and fastener-bound gain-of-function methodology to create a new type of synthetic DNA membraneless organelle (MO) with high stability and controlled bioactivity on the basis of DNA coacervates. Specifically, long single-strand DNA generated by rolling circle amplification (RCA) is selected as the scaffold that assembles into membraneless coacervates via phase separation. Intriguingly, the as-formed DNA MO can recruit RCA byproducts and other components to achieve self-stabilization, nanoscale condensation, and function encoding. As a proof of concept, photoactivatable DNA MO is constructed and successfully employed for time-dependent accumulation and spatiotemporal management of cancer in a mouse model. This study offers new, important insights into synthetic membraneless organelles for the basic understanding and manipulation of important life processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhang
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Mei Chen
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Aptamer
Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan
University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Minjuan Zhong
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Ting Li
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Zhihui Zhao
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Guoliang Ke
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Yanlan Liu
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular
Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of
Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan
Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics,
Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
School of Medicine, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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6
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Ban Y, Zhou F, Wang H, Zhang F, Xia M, Wan Y, Yang S, Liu R, Wang X, Wang G. Dual-Stimuli Regulation of DNAzyme Cleavage Reaction by Coordination-Driven Nanoprobes for Cancer Cell Imaging. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:30766-30775. [PMID: 38833714 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04033] [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: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Endowing current artificial chemical reactions (ACRs) with high specificity and intricate activation capabilities is crucial for expanding their applications in accurate bioimaging within living cells. However, most of the reported ACR-based evaluations relied on either single biomarker stimuli or dual activators without obvious biological relevance, still limiting their accuracy and fidelity. Herein, taking the metal-ion-dependent DNAzyme cleavage reaction as a model ACR, two regulators, glutathione (GSH) and telomerase (TE) activated DNAzyme cleavage reactions, were exploited for precise discrimination of cancerous cells from normal cells. DNA probe was self-assembled into the ZIF-90 nanoparticle framework to construct coordination-driven nanoprobes. This approach enhances the stability and specificity of tumor imaging by utilizing biomarkers associated with rapid tumor proliferation and those commonly overexpressed in tumors. In conclusion, the research not only paves the way for new perspectives in cell biology and pathology studies but also lays a solid foundation for the advancement of biomedical imaging and disease diagnostic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinbo Ban
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Fu Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Hao Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Fuqiang Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Mengmeng Xia
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yifei Wan
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Suwan Yang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Rong Liu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Xiayan Wang
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, P. R. China
| | - Guangfeng Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chem-Biosensing, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
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7
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Dindo M, Bevilacqua A, Soligo G, Calabrese V, Monti A, Shen AQ, Rosti ME, Laurino P. Chemotactic Interactions Drive Migration of Membraneless Active Droplets. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:15965-15976. [PMID: 38620052 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02823] [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: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
In nature, chemotactic interactions are ubiquitous and play a critical role in driving the collective behavior of living organisms. Reproducing these interactions in vitro is still a paramount challenge due to the complexity of mimicking and controlling cellular features, such as tangled metabolic networks, cytosolic macromolecular crowding, and cellular migration, on a microorganism size scale. Here, we generate enzymatically active cell-sized droplets able to move freely, and by following a chemical gradient, able to interact with the surrounding droplets in a collective manner. The enzyme within the droplets generates a pH gradient that extends outside the edge of the droplets. We discovered that the external pH gradient triggers droplet migration and controls its directionality, which is selectively toward the neighboring droplets. Hence, by changing the enzyme activity inside the droplet, we tuned the droplet migration speed. Furthermore, we showed that these cellular-like features can facilitate the reconstitution of a simple and linear protometabolic pathway and increase the final reaction product generation. Our work suggests that simple and stable membraneless droplets can reproduce complex biological phenomena, opening new perspectives as bioinspired materials and synthetic biology tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Dindo
- Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
| | - Alessandro Bevilacqua
- Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
| | - Giovanni Soligo
- Complex Fluids and Flows Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
| | - Vincenzo Calabrese
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
| | - Alessandro Monti
- Complex Fluids and Flows Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
| | - Amy Q Shen
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
| | - Marco Edoardo Rosti
- Complex Fluids and Flows Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
| | - Paola Laurino
- Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
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8
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Zhou Y, Zhang K, Moreno S, Temme A, Voit B, Appelhans D. Continuous Transformation from Membrane-Less Coacervates to Membranized Coacervates and Giant Vesicles: Toward Multicompartmental Protocells with Complex (Membrane) Architectures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024:e202407472. [PMID: 38847278 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407472] [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: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The membranization of membrane-less coacervates paves the way for the exploitation of complex protocells with regard to structural and cell-like functional behaviors. However, the controlled transformation from membranized coacervates to vesicles remains a challenge. This can provide stable (multi)phase and (multi)compartmental architectures through the reconfiguration of coacervate droplets in the presence of (bioactive) polymers, bio(macro)molecules and/or nanoobjects. Herein, we present a continuous protocell transformation from membrane-less coacervates to membranized coacervates and, ultimately, to giant hybrid vesicles. This transformation process is orchestrated by altering the balance of non-covalent interactions through varying concentrations of an anionic terpolymer, leading to dynamic processes such as spontaneous membranization of terpolymer nanoparticles at the coacervate surface, disassembly of the coacervate phase mediated by the excess anionic charge, and the redistribution of coacervate components in membrane. The diverse protocells during the transformation course provide distinct structural features and molecular permeability. Notably, the introduction of multiphase coacervates in this continuous transformation process signifies advancements toward the creation of synthetic cells with different diffusible compartments. Our findings emphasize the highly controlled continuous structural reorganization of coacervate protocells and represents a novel step toward the development of advanced and sophisticated synthetic protocells with more precise compositions and complex (membrane) structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden, 01069, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, 01062, Germany
| | - Kehu Zhang
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden, 01069, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, 01062, Germany
| | - Silvia Moreno
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden, 01069, Germany
| | - Achim Temme
- Department of Neurosurgery, Section Experimental Neurosurgery/Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, 01307, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, Germany, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Brigitte Voit
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden, 01069, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, 01062, Germany
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden, 01069, Germany
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9
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Ji Y, Qiao Y. Tuning interfacial fluidity and colloidal stability of membranized coacervate protocells. Commun Chem 2024; 7:122. [PMID: 38831043 PMCID: PMC11148010 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01193-4] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell membrane not only serves as the boundary between the cell's interior and the external environment but also plays a crucial role in regulating fundamental cellular behaviours. Interfacial membranization of membraneless coacervates, formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), represents a reliable approach to constructing hierarchical cell-like entities known as protocells. In this study, we demonstrate the capability to modulate the interfacial membrane fluidity and thickness of dextran-bound coacervate protocells by adjusting the molecular weight of dextran or utilizing dextranase-catalyzed hydrolysis. This modulation allows for rational control over colloidal stability, interfacial molecular transport and cell-protocell interactions. Our work opens a new avenue for surface engineering of coacervate protocells, enabling the establishment of cell-mimicking structures and behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
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10
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Samanta A, Baranda Pellejero L, Masukawa M, Walther A. DNA-empowered synthetic cells as minimalistic life forms. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:454-470. [PMID: 38750171 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00606-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Cells, the fundamental units of life, orchestrate intricate functions - motility, adaptation, replication, communication, and self-organization within tissues. Originating from spatiotemporally organized structures and machinery, coupled with information processing in signalling networks, cells embody the 'sensor-processor-actuator' paradigm. Can we glean insights from these processes to construct primitive artificial systems with life-like properties? Using de novo design approaches, what can we uncover about the evolutionary path of life? This Review discusses the strides made in crafting synthetic cells, utilizing the powerful toolbox of structural and dynamic DNA nanoscience. We describe how DNA can serve as a versatile tool for engineering entire synthetic cells or subcellular entities, and how DNA enables complex behaviour, including motility and information processing for adaptive and interactive processes. We chart future directions for DNA-empowered synthetic cells, envisioning interactive systems wherein synthetic cells communicate within communities and with living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avik Samanta
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India.
| | | | - Marcos Masukawa
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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11
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Ma H, Liu X, Nobbs AH, Mishra A, Patil AJ, Mann S. Protocell Flow Reactors for Enzyme and Whole-Cell Mediated Biocatalysis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2404607. [PMID: 38762764 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202404607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The design and construction of continuous flow biochemical reactors comprising immobilized biocatalysts have generated great interest in the efficient synthesis of value-added chemicals. Living cells use compartmentalization and reaction-diffusion processes for spatiotemporal regulation of biocatalytic reactions, and implementing these strategies into continuous flow reactors can offer new opportunities in reactor design and application. Herein, the fabrication of protocell-based continuous flow reactors for enzyme and whole-cell mediated biocatalysis is demonstrated. Semipermeable membranized coacervate vesicles are employed as model protocells that spontaneously sequester enzymes or accumulate living bacteria to produce embodied microreactors capable of single- or multiple-step catalytic reactions. By packing millions of the enzyme/bacteria-containing coacervate vesicles in a glass column, a facile, cost-effective, and modular methodology capable of performing oxidoreductase, peroxidase and lipolytic reactions, enzyme-mediated L-DOPA synthesis, and whole-cell glycolysis under continuous flow conditions, is demonstrated. It is shown that the protocell-nested enzymes and bacterial cells exhibit enhanced activities and stability under deleterious operating conditions compared with their non-encapsulated counterparts. These results provide a step toward the engineering of continuous flow reactors based on cell-like microscale agents and offer opportunities in the development of green and sustainable industrial bioprocessing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Ma
- Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry and Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Xiayi Liu
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Angela H Nobbs
- Bristol Dental School Research Laboratories, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Ananya Mishra
- Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry and Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Avinash J Patil
- Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry and Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry and Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
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12
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Westensee IN, Paffen LJMM, Pendlmayr S, De Dios Andres P, Ramos Docampo MA, Städler B. Artificial Cells and HepG2 Cells in 3D-Bioprinted Arrangements. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303699. [PMID: 38277695 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Artificial cells are engineered units with cell-like functions for different purposes including acting as supportive elements for mammalian cells. Artificial cells with minimal liver-like function are made of alginate and equipped with metalloporphyrins that mimic the enzyme activity of a member of the cytochrome P450 family namely CYP1A2. The artificial cells are employed to enhance the dealkylation activity within 3D bioprinted structures composed of HepG2 cells and these artificial cells. This enhancement is monitored through the conversion of resorufin ethyl ether to resorufin. HepG2 cell aggregates are 3D bioprinted using an alginate/gelatin methacryloyl ink, resulting in the successful proliferation of the HepG2 cells. The composite ink made of an alginate/gelatin liquid phase with an increasing amount of artificial cells is characterized. The CYP1A2-like activity of artificial cells is preserved over at least 35 days, where 6 nM resorufin is produced in 8 h. Composite inks made of artificial cells and HepG2 cell aggregates in a liquid phase are used for 3D bioprinting. The HepG2 cells proliferate over 35 days, and the structure has boosted CYP1A2 activity. The integration of artificial cells and their living counterparts into larger 3D semi-synthetic tissues is a step towards exploring bottom-up synthetic biology in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella N Westensee
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Lars J M M Paffen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Stefan Pendlmayr
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Paula De Dios Andres
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Miguel A Ramos Docampo
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Brigitte Städler
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
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13
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Harris R, Veretnik S, Dewan S, Baruch Leshem A, Lampel A. Regulation of enzymatic reactions by chemical composition of peptide biomolecular condensates. Commun Chem 2024; 7:90. [PMID: 38643237 PMCID: PMC11032315 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01174-7] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are condensed intracellular phases that are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins, either in the absence or presence of nucleic acids. These condensed phases regulate various biochemical reactions by recruitment of enzymes and substrates. Developments in the field of LLPS facilitated new insights on the regulation of compartmentalized enzymatic reactions. Yet, the influence of condensate chemical composition on enzymatic reactions is still poorly understood. Here, by using peptides as minimalistic condensate building blocks and β-galactosidase as a simple enzymatic model we show that the reaction is restricted in homotypic peptide condensates, while product formation is enhanced in peptide-RNA condensates. Our findings also show that condensate composition affects the recruitment of substrate, the spatial distribution, and the kinetics of the reaction. Thus, these findings can be further employed for the development of microreactors for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rif Harris
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shirel Veretnik
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Simran Dewan
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Avigail Baruch Leshem
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayala Lampel
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
- Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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14
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Song Y. Liquid-liquid phase separation-inspired design of biomaterials. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:1943-1949. [PMID: 38465963 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm02008h] [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: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a crucial biological process that governs biomolecular condensation, assembly, and functionality within phase-separated aqueous environments. This phenomenon serves as a source of inspiration for the creation of artificial designs in both structured and functional biomaterials, presenting novel strategies for manipulating the structures of functional protein aggregates in a wide range of biomedical applications. This mini review summarizes my past research endeavors, offering a panoramic overview of LLPS-inspired biomaterials utilized in the design of structured materials, the development of cell mimetics, and the advancement of intelligent biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Material Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
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15
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Naz M, Zhang L, Chen C, Yang S, Dou H, Mann S, Li J. Self-assembly of stabilized droplets from liquid-liquid phase separation for higher-order structures and functions. Commun Chem 2024; 7:79. [PMID: 38594355 PMCID: PMC11004187 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01168-5] [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: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Dynamic microscale droplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) have emerged as appealing biomaterials due to their remarkable features. However, the instability of droplets limits the construction of population-level structures with collective behaviors. Here we first provide a brief background of droplets in the context of materials properties. Subsequently, we discuss current strategies for stabilizing droplets including physical separation and chemical modulation. We also discuss the recent development of LLPS droplets for various applications such as synthetic cells and biomedical materials. Finally, we give insights on how stabilized droplets can self-assemble into higher-order structures displaying coordinated functions to fully exploit their potentials in bottom-up synthetic biology and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehwish Naz
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chong Chen
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, Turku, 20520, Finland
| | - Shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Hongjing Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Stephen Mann
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.
| | - Jianwei Li
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, Turku, 20520, Finland.
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16
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Westensee IN, Thomsen KL, Mookerjee RP, Städler B. Antioxidant Microgels Support Peroxide-Challenged Hepatic Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300547. [PMID: 38282178 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Access to therapeutic strategies that counter cellular stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an important, long-standing challenge. Here, the assembly of antioxidant artificial cells is based on alginate hydrogels equipped with non-native catalysts, namely platinum nanoparticles and an EUK compound. These artificial cells are able to preserve the viability and lower the intracellular ROS levels of challenged hepatic cells by removing peroxides from the extracellular environment. Conceptually, this strategy illustrates the potential use of artificial cells with a synthetic catalyst toward long-term support of hepatic cells and potentially other mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Nymann Westensee
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Karen Louise Thomsen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Rajeshwar Prosad Mookerjee
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Brigitte Städler
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
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17
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Waeterschoot J, Gosselé W, Lemež Š, Casadevall I Solvas X. Artificial cells for in vivo biomedical applications through red blood cell biomimicry. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2504. [PMID: 38509073 PMCID: PMC10954685 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46732-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent research in artificial cell production holds promise for the development of delivery agents with therapeutic effects akin to real cells. To succeed in these applications, these systems need to survive the circulatory conditions. In this review we present strategies that, inspired by the endurance of red blood cells, have enhanced the viability of large, cell-like vehicles for in vivo therapeutic use, particularly focusing on giant unilamellar vesicles. Insights from red blood cells can guide modifications that could transform these platforms into advanced drug delivery vehicles, showcasing biomimicry's potential in shaping the future of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik Waeterschoot
- Department of Biosystems - MeBioS, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Willemien Gosselé
- Department of Biosystems - MeBioS, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Špela Lemež
- Department of Biosystems - MeBioS, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Xiu W, Li X, Li Q, Ding M, Zhang Y, Wan L, Wang S, Gao Y, Mou Y, Wang L, Dong H. Ultrasound-Stimulated "Exocytosis" by Cell-Like Microbubbles Enhances Antibacterial Species Penetration and Immune Activation Against Implant Infection. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307048. [PMID: 38109089 PMCID: PMC10933665 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307048] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Host immune systems serving as crucial defense lines are vital resisting mechanisms against biofilm-associated implant infections. Nevertheless, biofilms hinder the penetration of anti-bacterial species, inhibit phagocytosis of immune cells, and frustrate host inflammatory responses, ultimately resulting in the weakness of the host immune system for biofilm elimination. Herein, a cell-like construct is developed through encapsulation of erythrocyte membrane fragments on the surface of Fe3 O4 nanoparticle-fabricated microbubbles and then loaded with hydroxyurea (EMB-Hu). Under ultrasound (US) stimulation, EMB-Hu undergoes a stable oscillation manner to act in an "exocytosis" mechanism for disrupting biofilm, releasing agents, and enhancing penetration of catalytically generated anti-bacterial species within biofilms. Additionally, the US-stimulated "exocytosis" by EMB-Hu can activate pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization and enhance macrophage phagocytosis for clearance of disrupted biofilms. Collectively, this work has exhibited cell-like microbubbles with US-stimulated "exocytosis" mechanisms to overcome the biofilm barrier and signal macrophages for inflammatory activation, finally achieving favorable therapeutic effects against implant infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Xiu
- Nanjing Stomatological HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University30 Zhongyang RoadNanjing210008P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information DisplaysJiangsu Key Laboratory for BiosensorsInstitute of Advanced MaterialsJiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced MaterialsNanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications9 Wenyuan RoadNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Xiaoye Li
- Nanjing Stomatological HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University30 Zhongyang RoadNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Qiang Li
- Nanjing Stomatological HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University30 Zhongyang RoadNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Meng Ding
- Nanjing Stomatological HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University30 Zhongyang RoadNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Nanjing Stomatological HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University30 Zhongyang RoadNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Ling Wan
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information DisplaysJiangsu Key Laboratory for BiosensorsInstitute of Advanced MaterialsJiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced MaterialsNanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications9 Wenyuan RoadNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Siyu Wang
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information DisplaysJiangsu Key Laboratory for BiosensorsInstitute of Advanced MaterialsJiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced MaterialsNanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications9 Wenyuan RoadNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Yu Gao
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information DisplaysJiangsu Key Laboratory for BiosensorsInstitute of Advanced MaterialsJiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced MaterialsNanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications9 Wenyuan RoadNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Yongbin Mou
- Nanjing Stomatological HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University30 Zhongyang RoadNanjing210008P. R. China
| | - Lianhui Wang
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information DisplaysJiangsu Key Laboratory for BiosensorsInstitute of Advanced MaterialsJiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced MaterialsNanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications9 Wenyuan RoadNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Heng Dong
- Nanjing Stomatological HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University30 Zhongyang RoadNanjing210008P. R. China
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19
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Mu W, Jia L, Zhou M, Wu J, Lin Y, Mann S, Qiao Y. Superstructural ordering in self-sorting coacervate-based protocell networks. Nat Chem 2024; 16:158-167. [PMID: 37932411 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01356-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up assembly of higher-order cytomimetic systems capable of coordinated physical behaviours, collective chemical signalling and spatially integrated processing is a key challenge in the study of artificial multicellularity. Here we develop an interactive binary population of coacervate microdroplets that spontaneously self-sort into chain-like protocell networks with an alternating sequence of structurally and compositionally dissimilar microdomains with hemispherical contact points. The protocell superstructures exhibit macromolecular self-sorting, spatially localized enzyme/ribozyme biocatalysis and interdroplet molecular translocation. They are capable of topographical reconfiguration using chemical or light-mediated stimuli and can be used as a micro-extraction system for macroscale biomolecular sorting. Our methodology opens a pathway towards the self-assembly of multicomponent protocell networks based on selective processes of coacervate droplet-droplet adhesion and fusion, and provides a step towards the spontaneous orchestration of protocell models into artificial tissues and colonies with ordered architectures and collective functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Mu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liyan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Musen Zhou
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jianzhong Wu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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20
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Du H, Yin H, Qin Y, Min Y, Deng Q, Tan J, Li G, Li N, Zhu C, Xu Y. Subcellular Nanobionic Liposome with High Zeta Potential Enhances Intravesical Adhesion and Drug Delivery. ACS NANO 2024; 18:3583-3596. [PMID: 38252681 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11235] [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: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The administration of drugs resident to counteract fluid washout has received considerable attention. However, the fabrication of a biocompatible system with adequate adhesion and tissue penetration capability remains challenging. This study presents a cell membrane-inspired carrier at the subcellular scale that facilitates interfacial adhesion and tissue penetration to improve drug delivery efficiency. Both chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and oleic acid (OA) modified membranes exhibit a high affinity for interacting with the negatively charged glycosaminoglycan layer, demonstrating that the zeta potential of the carrier is the key to determining spontaneous penetration and accumulation within the bladder tissue. In vivo modeling has shown that a high surface charge significantly improves the retention of the drug carrier in the presence of urine washout. Possibly due to charge distribution, electric field gradients, and lipid membrane softening, the high positive surface charge enabled the carriers to penetrate the urinary bladder barrier and/or enter the cell interior. Overall, this study represents a practical and effective delivery strategy for tissue binders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Du
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Haiyan Yin
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yinhua Qin
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yuanhong Min
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qin Deng
- Analytical and Testing Center of Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Ju Tan
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Urology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Chuhong Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
- Burn and Combined Injury, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Youqian Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Engineering Research Center for Organ Intelligent Biological Manufacturing of Chongqing, Key Lab for Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Engineering Research Center of Tissue and Organ Regeneration and Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400038, China
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21
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Wu X, Sun Y, Yu J, Miserez A. Tuning the viscoelastic properties of peptide coacervates by single amino acid mutations and salt kosmotropicity. Commun Chem 2024; 7:5. [PMID: 38177438 PMCID: PMC10766971 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01094-y] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Coacervation, or liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomacromolecules, is increasingly recognized to play an important role both intracellularly and in the extracellular space. Central questions that remain to be addressed are the links between the material properties of coacervates (condensates) and both the primary and the secondary structures of their constitutive building blocks. Short LLPS-prone peptides, such as GY23 variants explored in this study, are ideal model systems to investigate these links because simple sequence modifications and the chemical environment strongly affect the viscoelastic properties of coacervates. Herein, a systematic investigation of the structure/property relationships of peptide coacervates was conducted using GY23 variants, combining biophysical characterization (plate rheology and surface force apparatus, SFA) with secondary structure investigations by infrared (IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Mutating specific residues into either more hydrophobic or more hydrophilic residues strongly regulates the viscoelastic properties of GY23 coacervates. Furthermore, the ionic strength and kosmotropic characteristics (Hofmeister series) of the buffer in which LLPS is induced also significantly impact the properties of formed coacervates. Structural investigations by CD and IR indicate a direct correlation between variations in properties induced by endogenous (peptide sequence) or exogenous (ionic strength, kosmotropic characteristics, aging) factors and the β-sheet content within coacervates. These findings provide valuable insights to rationally design short peptide coacervates with programmable materials properties that are increasingly used in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Yue Sun
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Jing Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
- School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive, NTU, Singapore, 636921, Singapore.
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22
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Yuan F, Zhang C, Luo X, Cheng S, Zhu Y, Xian Y. An erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged fluorescent covalent organic framework for starving/nitric oxide/immunotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer. Chem Sci 2023; 14:14182-14192. [PMID: 38098713 PMCID: PMC10717584 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc02022c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is a great challenge to effectively treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) due to lack of therapeutic targets and drug resistance of systemic chemotherapy. Rational design of nanomedicine with good hemocompatibility is urgently desirable for combination therapy of TNBC. Herein, an erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged fluorescent covalent organic framework (COF) loaded with an NO donor (hydroxyurea, Hu), glucose oxidase (GOx) and cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligonucleotides (CPG) (COF@HGC) was developed for imaging-guided starving/nitric oxide (NO)/immunization synergistic treatment of TNBC. The substances of HGC are easily co-loaded onto the COF due to the ordered pore structure and large surface area. And a folic acid-modified erythrocyte membrane (FEM) is coated on the surface of COF@HGC to improve targeted therapy and haemocompatibility. When COF@HGC@FEM is internalized into tumor cells, hemoglobin (Hb) on FEM and GOx loaded on the COF can trigger cascade reactions to kill tumor cells due to the simultaneous production of NO and exhaustion of glucose. Meanwhile, the COF with excellent fluorescence properties can be used as a self-reporter for bioimaging. Furthermore, the CPG can reprogram tumor-associated macrophages from tumor-supportive phenotype to anti-tumor phenotype and enhance immunotherapy. Through the "three-in-one" strategy, the biomimetic nanoplatform can effectively inhibit tumor growth and reprogram the tumor immunosuppression microenvironment in the TNBC mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yuan
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Cuiling Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Xianzhu Luo
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Shasha Cheng
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Yingxin Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Yuezhong Xian
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University Shanghai 200241 China
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23
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Perin GB, Moreno S, Zhou Y, Günther M, Boye S, Voit B, Felisberti MI, Appelhans D. Construction of Membraneless and Multicompartmentalized Coacervate Protocells Controlling a Cell Metabolism-like Cascade Reaction. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:5807-5822. [PMID: 37984848 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00828] [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: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing attention to designing synthetic protocells, capable of mimicking micrometric and multicompartmental structures and highly complex physicochemical and biological processes with spatiotemporal control. Controlling metabolism-like cascade reactions in coacervate protocells is still challenging since signal transduction has to be involved in sequential and parallelized actions mediated by a pH change. Herein, we report the hierarchical construction of membraneless and multicompartmentalized protocells composed of (i) a cytosol-like scaffold based on complex coacervate droplets stable under flow conditions, (ii) enzyme-active artificial organelles and a substrate nanoreservoir capable of triggering a cascade reaction between them in response to a pH increase, and (iii) a signal transduction component based on the urease enzyme capable of the conversion of an exogenous biological fuel (urea) into an endogenous signal (ammonia and pH increase). Overall, this strategy allows a synergistic communication between their components within the membraneless and multicompartment protocells and, thus, metabolism-like enzymatic cascade reactions. This signal communication is transmitted through a scaffold protocell from an "inactive state" (nonfluorescent protocell) to an "active state" (fluorescent protocell capable of consuming stored metabolites).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni B Perin
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Silvia Moreno
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Yang Zhou
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Günther
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Boye
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Brigitte Voit
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria I Felisberti
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
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24
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Cha SG, Rhim WK, Kim JY, Lee EH, Lee SY, Park JM, Lee JE, Yoon H, Park CG, Kim BS, Kwon TG, Lee Y, Lee DR, Han DK. Kidney tissue regeneration using bioactive scaffolds incorporated with differentiating extracellular vesicles and intermediate mesoderm cells. Biomater Res 2023; 27:126. [PMID: 38049879 PMCID: PMC10696796 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00471-x] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To overcome the limitations of current alternative therapies for chronic kidney disease (CKD), tissue engineering-mediated regeneration strategies have demonstrated the possibilities for complete kidney tissue regeneration. Given the challenges associated with the reproducibility of renal basal cells, the incorporation of intermediate mesoderm (IM) cells and bioactive materials to control bioactivities of cells with supported scaffolds should be considered as a viable approach to enable the regeneration of the complex kidney structure via renal differentiation. METHODS We developed PMEZ scaffolds by combining crucial bioactive components, such as ricinoleic acid-grafted Mg(OH)2 (M), extracellular matrix (E), and alpha lipoic acid-conjugated ZnO (Z) integrated into biodegradable porous PLGA (P) platform. Additionally, we utilized differentiating extracellular vesicles (dEV) isolated during intermediate mesoderm differentiation into kidney progenitor cells, and IM cells were serially incorporated to facilitate kidney tissue regeneration through their differentiation into kidney progenitor cells in the 3/4 nephrectomy mouse model. RESULTS The use of differentiating extracellular vesicles facilitated IM differentiation into kidney progenitor cells without additional differentiation factors. This led to improvements in various regeneration-related bioactivities including tubule and podocyte regeneration, anti-fibrosis, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammation. Finally, implanting PMEZ/dEV/IM scaffolds in mouse injury model resulted in the restoration of kidney function. CONCLUSIONS Our study has demonstrated that utilizing biodegradable PLGA-based scaffolds, which include multipotent cells capable of differentiating into various kidney progenitor cells along with supporting components, can facilitate kidney tissue regeneration in the mouse model that simulates CKD through 3/4 nephrectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Gyu Cha
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Kyu Rhim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Yong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Intelligent Precision of Healthcare Convergence, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hye Lee
- Joint Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yeon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Min Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeoung Eun Lee
- Bundang Medical Center, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA University, Sungnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeji Yoon
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chun Gwon Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Intelligent Precision of Healthcare Convergence, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Bum Soo Kim
- Joint Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Gyun Kwon
- Joint Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmi Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Ryul Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Bundang Medical Center, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA University, Sungnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Keun Han
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam- si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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25
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Xu Q, Yu C, Jiang L, Wang Y, Liu F, Jiang W, Zhou Y. Coacervate-Assisted Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly of Chiral Alternating Copolymers into Hierarchical Bishell Capsules with Sub-5 nm Ultrathin Lamellae. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300136. [PMID: 37116085 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Hierarchical self-assembly of synthetic polymers in solution represents one of the sophisticated strategies to replicate the natural superstructures which lay the basis for their superb functions. However, it is still quite challenging to increase the degree of complexity of the as-prepared assemblies, especially in a large scale. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) widely exists in cells and is assumed to be responsible for the formation of many cellular organelles without membranes. Herein, through integrating LLPS with the polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), a coacervate-assisted PISA (CAPISA) methodology to realize the one-pot and scalable preparation of hierarchical bishell capsules (BCs) from nanosheets with ultrathin lamellae phase (sub-5 nm), microflakes, unishell capsules to final BCs in a bottom-up sequence is presented. Both the self-assembled structure and the dynamic formation process of BCs have been disclosed. Since CAPISA has combined the advantages of coacervates, click chemistry, interfacial reaction and PISA, it is believed that it will become a promising option to fabricate biomimetic polymer materials with higher structural complexity and more sophisticated functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsong Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Chunyang Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Lingsheng Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yuling Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Wenfeng Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yongfeng Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
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26
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Yu X, Mukwaya V, Mann S, Dou H. Signal Transduction in Artificial Cells. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300231. [PMID: 37116092 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300231] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the emerging field of constructing biomimetic soft compartments with life-like behaviors. Given that biological activities occur under a flux of energy and matter exchange, the implementation of rudimentary signaling pathways in artificial cells (protocells) is a prerequisite for the development of adaptive sense-response phenotypes in cytomimetic models. Herein, recent approaches to the integration of signal transduction modules in model protocells prepared by bottom-up construction are discussed. The approaches are classified into two categories involving invasive biochemical signals or non-invasive physical stimuli. In the former mechanism, transducers with intrinsic recognition capability respond with high specificity, while in the latter, artificial cells respond through intra-protocellular energy transduction. Although major challenges remain in the pursuit of a sophisticated artificial signaling network for the orchestration of higher-order cytomimetic models, significant advances have been made in establishing rudimentary protocell communication networks, providing novel organizational models for the development of life-like microsystems and new avenues in protoliving technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Vincent Mukwaya
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Stephen Mann
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology and Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Hongjing Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201203, China
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27
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Wang X, Qiao X, Chen H, Wang L, Liu X, Huang X. Synthetic-Cell-Based Multi-Compartmentalized Hierarchical Systems. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201712. [PMID: 37069779 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201712] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In the extant lifeforms, the self-sustaining behaviors refer to various well-organized biochemical reactions in spatial confinement, which rely on compartmentalization to integrate and coordinate the molecularly crowded intracellular environment and complicated reaction networks in living/synthetic cells. Therefore, the biological phenomenon of compartmentalization has become an essential theme in the field of synthetic cell engineering. Recent progress in the state-of-the-art of synthetic cells has indicated that multi-compartmentalized synthetic cells should be developed to obtain more advanced structures and functions. Herein, two ways of developing multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems, namely interior compartmentalization of synthetic cells (organelles) and integration of synthetic cell communities (synthetic tissues), are summarized. Examples are provided for different construction strategies employed in the above-mentioned engineering ways, including spontaneous compartmentalization in vesicles, host-guest nesting, phase separation mediated multiphase, adhesion-mediated assembly, programmed arrays, and 3D printing. Apart from exhibiting advanced structures and functions, synthetic cells are also applied as biomimetic materials. Finally, key challenges and future directions regarding the development of multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems are summarized; these are expected to lay the foundation for the creation of a "living" synthetic cell as well as provide a larger platform for developing new biomimetic materials in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Qiao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. 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, Harbin, 150001, P. R. 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, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - 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, Harbin, 150001, P. R. 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, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
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28
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Wang Z, Zhang M, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Wang K, Liu J. Coacervate Microdroplets as Synthetic Protocells for Cell Mimicking and Signaling Communications. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300042. [PMID: 36908048 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300042] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic protocells are minimal systems that mimic certain properties of natural cells and are used to research the emergence of life from a nonliving chemical network. Currently, coacervate microdroplets, which are formed via liquid-liquid phase separation, are receiving wide attention in the context of cell biology and protocell research; these microdroplets are notable because they can provide liquid-like compartment structures for biochemical reactions by creating highly macromolecular crowded local environments. In this review, an overview of recent research on the formation of coacervate microdroplets through phase separation; the design of coacervate-based stimuli-responsive protocells, multichamber protocells, and membranized protocells; and their cell mimic behaviors, is provided. The simplified protocell models with precisely defined and tunable compositions advance the understanding of the requirements for cellular structure and function. Efforts are then discussed to establish signal communication systems in protocell and protocell consortia, as communication is a fundamental feature of life that coordinates matter exchanges and energy fluxes dynamically in space and time. Finally, some perspectives on the challenges and future developments of synthetic protocell research in biomimetic science and biomedical applications are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Min Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yanwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Kemin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Jianbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
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29
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Lin Z, Beneyton T, Baret JC, Martin N. Coacervate Droplets for Synthetic Cells. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300496. [PMID: 37462244 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The design and construction of synthetic cells - human-made microcompartments that mimic features of living cells - have experienced a real boom in the past decade. While many efforts have been geared toward assembling membrane-bounded compartments, coacervate droplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation have emerged as an alternative membrane-free compartmentalization paradigm. Here, the dual role of coacervate droplets in synthetic cell research is discussed: encapsulated within membrane-enclosed compartments, coacervates act as surrogates of membraneless organelles ubiquitously found in living cells; alternatively, they can be viewed as crowded cytosol-like chassis for constructing integrated synthetic cells. After introducing key concepts of coacervation and illustrating the chemical diversity of coacervate systems, their physicochemical properties and resulting bioinspired functions are emphasized. Moving from suspensions of free floating coacervates, the two nascent roles of these droplets in synthetic cell research are highlighted: organelle-like modules and cytosol-like templates. Building the discussion on recent studies from the literature, the potential of coacervate droplets to assemble integrated synthetic cells capable of multiple life-inspired functions is showcased. Future challenges that are still to be tackled in the field are finally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Lin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Thomas Beneyton
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Baret
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Nicolas Martin
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR5031, 115 avenue du Dr. Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
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30
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Lu T, Javed S, Bonfio C, Spruijt E. Interfacing Coacervates with Membranes: From Artificial Organelles and Hybrid Protocells to Intracellular Delivery. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300294. [PMID: 37354057 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is crucial for the functioning of cells. Membranes enclose and protect the cell, regulate the transport of molecules entering and exiting the cell, and organize cellular machinery in subcompartments. In addition, membraneless condensates, or coacervates, offer dynamic compartments that act as biomolecular storage centers, organizational hubs, or reaction crucibles. Emerging evidence shows that phase-separated membraneless bodies in the cell are involved in a wide range of functional interactions with cellular membranes, leading to transmembrane signaling, membrane remodeling, intracellular transport, and vesicle formation. Such functional and dynamic interplay between phase-separated droplets and membranes also offers many potential benefits to artificial cells, as shown by recent studies involving coacervates and liposomes. Depending on the relative sizes and interaction strength between coacervates and membranes, coacervates can serve as artificial membraneless organelles inside liposomes, as templates for membrane assembly and hybrid artificial cell formation, as membrane remodelers for tubulation and possibly division, and finally, as cargo containers for transport and delivery of biomolecules across membranes by endocytosis or direct membrane crossing. Here, recent experimental examples of each of these functions are reviewed and the underlying physicochemical principles and possible future applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiemei Lu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Sadaf Javed
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Bonfio
- Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), CNRS UMR 7006, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 67083, France
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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31
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Tao F, Han Q, Yang P. Interface-mediated protein aggregation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:14093-14109. [PMID: 37955330 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04311h] [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: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of proteins at interfaces has significant roles and can also lead to dysfunction of different physiological processes. The interfacial effects on the assembly and aggregation of biopolymers are not only crucial for a comprehensive understanding of protein biological functions, but also hold great potential for advancing the state-of-the-art applications of biopolymer materials. Recently, there has been remarkable progress in a collaborative context, as we strive to gain control over complex interfacial assembly structures of biopolymers. These biopolymer structures range from the nanoscale to mesoscale and even macroscale, and are attained through the rational design of interactions between biological building blocks and surfaces/interfaces. This review spotlights the recent advancements in interface-mediated assembly and properties of biopolymer materials. Initially, we introduce the solid-liquid interface (SIL)-mediated biopolymer assembly that includes the inorganic crystalline template effect and protein self-adoptive deposition through phase transition. Next, we display the advancement of biopolymer assembly instigated by the air-water interface (AWI) that acts as an energy conversion station. Lastly, we discuss succinctly the assembly of biopolymers at the liquid-liquid interface (LLI) along with their applications. It is our hope that this overview will stimulate the integration and progression of the science of interfacial assembled biopolymer materials and surfaces/interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Tao
- Key laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, school of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
| | - Qian Han
- Key laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, school of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
| | - Peng Yang
- Key laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, school of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
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Wang J, Abbas M, Huang Y, Wang J, Li Y. Redox-responsive peptide-based complex coacervates as delivery vehicles with controlled release of proteinous drugs. Commun Chem 2023; 6:243. [PMID: 37935871 PMCID: PMC10630460 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01044-8] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteinous drugs are highly promising therapeutics to treat various diseases. However, they suffer from limited circulation times and severe off-target side effects. Inspired by active membraneless organelles capable of dynamic recruitment and releasing of specific proteins, here, we present the design of coacervates as therapeutic protocells, made from small metabolites (anionic molecules) and simple arginine-rich peptides (cationic motif) through liquid-liquid phase separation. These complex coacervates demonstrate that their assembly and disassembly can be regulated by redox chemistry, which helps to control the release of the therapeutic protein. A model proteinous drugs, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), can rapidly compartmentalize inside the complex coacervates, and the coacervates formed from peptides conjugated with arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif (a fibrinogen-derived peptide sequence), show selective binding to the thrombus site and thus enhance on-target efficacy of tPA. Furthermore, the burst release of tPA can be controlled by the redox-induced dissolution of the coacervates. Our proof-of-principle complex coacervate system provides insights into the sequestration and release of proteinous drugs from advanced drug delivery systems and represents a step toward the construction of synthetic therapeutic protocells for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahua Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Manzar Abbas
- Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Advanced Materials Chemistry Center (AMCC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Junyou Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yuehua Li
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.
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Li Q, Song Q, Guo W, Cao Y, Cui X, Chen D, Shum HC. Synthetic Membraneless Droplets for Synaptic-Like Clustering of Lipid Vesicles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202313096. [PMID: 37728515 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313096] [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] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are found to interact intimately with membranous organelles (MOs). One major mode is the clustering of MOs by MLOs, such as the formation of clusters of synaptic vesicles at nerve terminals mediated by the synapsin-rich MLOs. Aqueous droplets, including complex coacervates and aqueous two-phase systems, have been plausible MLO-mimics to emulate or elucidate biological processes. However, neither of them can cluster lipid vesicles (LVs) like MLOs. In this work, we develop a synthetic droplet assembled from a combination of two different interactions underlying the formation of these two droplets, namely, associative and segregative interactions, which we call segregative-associative (SA) droplets. The SA droplets cluster and disperse LVs recapitulating the key functional features of synapsin condensates, which can be attributed to the weak electrostatic interaction environment provided by SA droplets. This work suggests LLPS with combined segregative and associative interactions as a possible route for synaptic clustering of lipid vesicles and highlights SA droplets as plausible MLO-mimics and models for studying and mimicking related cellular dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingchuan Li
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, Shandong, P.R.China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
| | - Qingchun Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Department of Public Health, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157000, P. R. China
| | - Dairong Chen
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, Shandong, P.R.China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
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Stano P. Chemical Systems for Wetware Artificial Life: Selected Perspectives in Synthetic Cell Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14138. [PMID: 37762444 PMCID: PMC10532297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814138] [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] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent and important advances in bottom-up synthetic biology (SB), in particular in the field of the so-called "synthetic cells" (SCs) (or "artificial cells", or "protocells"), lead us to consider the role of wetware technologies in the "Sciences of Artificial", where they constitute the third pillar, alongside the more well-known pillars hardware (robotics) and software (Artificial Intelligence, AI). In this article, it will be highlighted how wetware approaches can help to model life and cognition from a unique perspective, complementary to robotics and AI. It is suggested that, through SB, it is possible to explore novel forms of bio-inspired technologies and systems, in particular chemical AI. Furthermore, attention is paid to the concept of semantic information and its quantification, following the strategy recently introduced by Kolchinsky and Wolpert. Semantic information, in turn, is linked to the processes of generation of "meaning", interpreted here through the lens of autonomy and cognition in artificial systems, emphasizing its role in chemical ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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35
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Kim DM, Baek SW, Park JM, Kim DS, Lee S, Lee JK, Park CG, Han DK. Multifunctional PDO Thread Coated with Mg(OH) 2/ZnO Nanoparticles and Asiaticoside for Improved Facial Lifting. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2220. [PMID: 37765189 PMCID: PMC10535954 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092220] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As interest in skin aesthetics increases, treatments to suppress aging are increasing. Among them, a facelift is the most effective procedure for improving wrinkles. However, side effects including inflammatory reactions occur due to the limitations of the PDO thread itself used during the procedure. In this paper, to improve the function of PDO thread, inorganic particles such as magnesium hydroxide (MH) and zinc oxide (ZO) and a biologically active agent, asiaticoside, were coated on the surface of PDO thread using ultrasonic coating technology. The coated thread exhibited excellent biocompatibility, promoted collagen synthesis, reduced inflammation, and stimulated angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The multifunctional PDO thread has shown promising potential for skin regeneration without inducing fibrosis. Such a practical coating system and the developed multifunctional PDO thread suggest new possibilities for developing safer and more effective materials in cosmetic and regenerative medicine to prevent aging and improve skin aesthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Min Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.M.K.); (S.-W.B.); (J.M.P.); (D.-S.K.); (S.L.); (J.-K.L.)
| | - Seung-Woon Baek
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.M.K.); (S.-W.B.); (J.M.P.); (D.-S.K.); (S.L.); (J.-K.L.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Min Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.M.K.); (S.-W.B.); (J.M.P.); (D.-S.K.); (S.L.); (J.-K.L.)
| | - Da-Seul Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.M.K.); (S.-W.B.); (J.M.P.); (D.-S.K.); (S.L.); (J.-K.L.)
| | - Semi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.M.K.); (S.-W.B.); (J.M.P.); (D.-S.K.); (S.L.); (J.-K.L.)
| | - Jun-Kyu Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.M.K.); (S.-W.B.); (J.M.P.); (D.-S.K.); (S.L.); (J.-K.L.)
| | - Chun Gwon Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Keun Han
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.M.K.); (S.-W.B.); (J.M.P.); (D.-S.K.); (S.L.); (J.-K.L.)
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36
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Dou WT, Qiu P, Shi Y, Zhu L, Guo C, Li N, Zang Y, Liu T, Zhao S, Pan Y, Dong L, Sessler JL, Tan Y, Li J, Wang H, Tian H, He XP. Orthogonally Engineered Albumin with Attenuated Macrophage Phagocytosis for the Targeted Visualization and Phototherapy of Liver Cancer. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:17377-17388. [PMID: 37497917 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The five-year survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unsatisfactory. This reflects, in part, the paucity of effective methods that allow the target-specific diagnosis and therapy of HCC. Here, we report a strategy based on engineered human serum albumin (HSA) that permits the HCC-targeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Covalent cysteine conjugation combined with the exploitation of host-guest chemistry was used to effect the orthogonal functionalization of HSA with two functionally independent peptides. One of these peptides targets glypican-3 (GPC-3), an HCC-specific biomarker, while the second reduces macrophage phagocytosis through immune-checkpoint stimulation. This orthogonally engineered HSA proved effective for the GPC-3-targeted delivery of near-infrared fluorescent and phototherapeutic agents, thus permitting target-specific optical visualization and photodynamic ablation of HCC in vivo. This study thus offers new insights into specificity-enhanced fluorescence-guided surgery and phototherapy of HCC through the orthogonal engineering of biocompatible proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Tao Dou
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Peng Qiu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Ling Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Chen Guo
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Na Li
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 333 Haike Rd, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zang
- National Centre for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 189 Guo Shoujing Rd, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
- Lingang laboratory, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
| | - Yufei Pan
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Dong
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Jonathan L Sessler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street-A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States of America
| | - Yexiong Tan
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Jia Li
- National Centre for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 189 Guo Shoujing Rd, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - He Tian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Peng He
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
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Xu X, Guan W, Yu X, Xu G, Wang C. Non-interfacial self-assembly of synthetic protocells. Biomater Res 2023; 27:64. [PMID: 37400932 PMCID: PMC10318706 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00402-w] [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: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protocell refers to the basic unit of life and synthetic molecular assembly with cell structure and function. The protocells have great applications in the field of biomedical technology. Simulating the morphology and function of cells is the key to the preparation of protocells. However, some organic solvents used in the preparation process of protocells would damage the function of the bioactive substance. Perfluorocarbon, which has no toxic effect on bioactive substances, is an ideal solvent for protocell preparation. However, perfluorocarbon cannot be emulsified with water because of its inertia. METHODS Spheroids can be formed in nature even without emulsification, since liquid can reshape the morphology of the solid phase through the scouring action, even if there is no stable interface between the two phases. Inspired by the formation of natural spheroids such as pebbles, we developed non-interfacial self-assembly (NISA) of microdroplets as a step toward synthetic protocells, in which the inert perfluorocarbon was utilized to reshape the hydrogel through the scouring action. RESULTS The synthetic protocells were successfully obtained by using NISA-based protocell techniques, with the morphology very similar to native cells. Then we simulated the cell transcription process in the synthetic protocell and used the protocell as an mRNA carrier to transfect 293T cells. The results showed that protocells delivered mRNAs, and successfully expressed proteins in 293T cells. Further, we used the NISA method to fabricate an artificial cell by extracting and reassembling the membrane, proteins, and genomes of ovarian cancer cells. The results showed that the recombination of tumor cells was successfully achieved with similar morphology as tumor cells. In addition, the synthetic protocell prepared by the NISA method was used to reverse cancer chemoresistance by restoring cellular calcium homeostasis, which verified the application value of the synthetic protocell as a drug carrier. CONCLUSION This synthetic protocell fabricated by the NISA method simulates the occurrence and development process of primitive life, which has great potential application value in mRNA vaccine, cancer immunotherapy, and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Xu
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, P.R. China
| | - Wencai Guan
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolei Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Guoxiong Xu
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, P.R. China.
| | - Chenglong Wang
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, P.R. China.
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38
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Yin Z, Gao N, Xu C, Li M, Mann S. Autonomic Integration in Nested Protocell Communities. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37369121 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The self-driven organization of model protocells into higher-order nested cytomimetic systems with coordinated structural and functional relationships offers a step toward the autonomic implementation of artificial multicellularity. Here, we describe an endosymbiotic-like pathway in which proteinosomes are captured within membranized alginate/silk fibroin coacervate vesicles by guest-mediated reconfiguration of the host protocells. We demonstrate that interchange of coacervate vesicle and droplet morphologies through proteinosome-mediated urease/glucose oxidase activity produces discrete nested communities capable of integrated catalytic activity and selective disintegration. The self-driving capacity is modulated by an internalized fuel-driven process using starch hydrolases sequestered within the host coacervate phase, and structural stabilization of the integrated protocell populations can be achieved by on-site enzyme-mediated matrix reinforcement involving dipeptide supramolecular assembly or tyramine-alginate covalent cross-linking. Our work highlights a semi-autonomous mechanism for constructing symbiotic cell-like nested communities and provides opportunities for the development of reconfigurable cytomimetic materials with structural, functional, and organizational complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuping Yin
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Ning Gao
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Can Xu
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Mei Li
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
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Ji Y, Lin Y, Qiao Y. Plant Cell-Inspired Membranization of Coacervate Protocells with a Structured Polysaccharide Layer. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37267599 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The design of compartmentalized colloids that exhibit biomimetic properties is providing model systems for developing synthetic cell-like entities (protocells). Inspired by the cell walls in plant cells, we developed a method to prepare membranized coacervates as protocell models by coating membraneless liquid-like microdroplets with a protective layer of rigid polysaccharides. Membranization not only endowed colloidal stability and prevented aggregation and coalescence but also facilitated selective biomolecule sequestration and chemical exchange across the membrane. The polysaccharide wall surrounding coacervate protocells acted as a stimuli-responsive structural barrier that enabled enzyme-triggered membrane lysis to initiate internalization and killing of Escherichia coli. The membranized coacervates were capable of spatial organization into structured tissue-like protocell assemblages, offering a means to mimic metabolism and cell-to-cell communication. We envision that surface engineering of protocells as developed in this work generates a platform for constructing advanced synthetic cell mimetics and sophisticated cell-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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40
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Wang C, Tian G, Yu X, Zhang X. Recent Advances in Functional Nanomaterials for Catalytic Generation of Nitric Oxide: A Mini Review. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207261. [PMID: 36808830 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
As a gaseous second messenger, nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in a series of signal pathways. Research on the NO regulation for various disease treatments has aroused wide concern. However, the lack of accurate, controllable, and persistent release of NO has significantly limited the application of NO therapy. Profiting from the booming development of advanced nanotechnology, a mass of nanomaterials with the properties of controllable release have been developed to seek new and effective NO nano-delivery approaches. Nano-delivery systems that generate NO through catalytic reactions exhibit unique superiority in terms of precise and persistent release of NO. Although certain achievements have been made in the catalytically active NO delivery nanomaterials, some basic but critical issues, such as the concept of design, are of low attention. Herein, an overview of the generation of NO through catalytic reactions and the design principles of related nanomaterials are summarized. Then, the nanomaterials that generate NO through catalytic reactions are classified. Finally, the bottlenecks and perspectives are also discussed in depth for the future development of catalytical NO generation nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyan Wang
- Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
| | - Gan Tian
- Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
- Chongqing Institute of Advanced Pathology, Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, P. R. China
| | - Xin Yu
- Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
- Chongqing Institute of Advanced Pathology, Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, P. R. China
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41
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Cook A, Novosedlik S, van Hest JCM. Complex Coacervate Materials as Artificial Cells. ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH 2023; 4:287-298. [PMID: 37009061 PMCID: PMC10043873 DOI: 10.1021/accountsmr.2c00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Cells have evolved to be self-sustaining compartmentalized systems that consist of many thousands of biomolecules and metabolites interacting in complex cycles and reaction networks. Numerous subtle intricacies of these self-assembled structures are still largely unknown. The importance of liquid-liquid phase separation (both membraneless and membrane bound) is, however, recognized as playing an important role in achieving biological function that is controlled in time and space. Reconstituting biochemical reactions in vitro has been a success of the last decades, for example, establishment of the minimal set of enzymes and nutrients able to replicate cellular activities like the in vitro transcription translation of genes to proteins. Further than this though, artificial cell research has the aim of combining synthetic materials and nonliving macromolecules into ordered assemblies with the ability to carry out more complex and ambitious cell-like functions. These activities can provide insights into fundamental cell processes in simplified and idealized systems but could also have an applied impact in synthetic biology and biotechnology in the future. To date, strategies for the bottom-up fabrication of micrometer scale life-like artificial cells have included stabilized water-in-oil droplets, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV's), hydrogels, and complex coacervates. Water-in-oil droplets are a valuable and easy to produce model system for studying cell-like processes; however, the lack of a crowded interior can limit these artificial cells in mimicking life more closely. Similarly membrane stabilized vesicles, such as GUV's, have the additional membrane feature of cells but still lack a macromolecularly crowded cytoplasm. Hydrogel-based artificial cells have a macromolecularly dense interior (although cross-linked) that better mimics cells, in addition to mechanical properties more similar to the viscoelasticity seen in cells but could be seen as being not dynamic in nature and limiting to the diffusion of biomolecules. On the other hand, liquid-liquid phase separated complex coacervates are an ideal platform for artificial cells as they can most accurately mimic the crowded, viscous, highly charged nature of the eukaryotic cytoplasm. Other important key features that researchers in the field target include stabilizing semipermeable membranes, compartmentalization, information transfer/communication, motility, and metabolism/growth. In this Account, we will briefly cover aspects of coacervation theory and then outline key cases of synthetic coacervate materials used as artificial cells (ranging from polypeptides, modified polysaccharides, polyacrylates, and polymethacrylates, and allyl polymers), finishing with envisioned opportunities and potential applications for coacervate artificial cells moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander
B. Cook
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Helix, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Novosedlik
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Helix, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jan C. M. van Hest
- Bio-Organic
Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Helix, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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42
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Kumar S, Karmacharya M, Cho YK. Bridging the Gap between Nonliving Matter and Cellular Life. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2202962. [PMID: 35988151 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A cell, the fundamental unit of life, contains the requisite blueprint information necessary to survive and to build tissues, organs, and systems, eventually forming a fully functional living creature. A slight structural alteration can result in data misprinting, throwing the entire life process off balance. Advances in synthetic biology and cell engineering enable the predictable redesign of biological systems to perform novel functions. Individual functions and fundamental processes at the core of the biology of cells can be investigated by employing a synthetically constrained micro or nanoreactor. However, constructing a life-like structure from nonliving building blocks remains a considerable challenge. Chemical compartments, cascade signaling, energy generation, growth, replication, and adaptation within micro or nanoreactors must be comparable with their biological counterparts. Although these reactors currently lack the power and behavioral sophistication of their biological equivalents, their interface with biological systems enables the development of hybrid solutions for real-world applications, such as therapeutic agents, biosensors, innovative materials, and biochemical microreactors. This review discusses the latest advances in cell membrane-engineered micro or nanoreactors, as well as the limitations associated with high-throughput preparation methods and biological applications for the real-time modulation of complex pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Mamata Karmacharya
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
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43
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Li H, Yan Y, Chen J, Shi K, Song C, Ji Y, Jia L, Li J, Qiao Y, Lin Y. Artificial receptor-mediated phototransduction toward protocellular subcompartmentalization and signaling-encoded logic gates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade5853. [PMID: 36857444 PMCID: PMC9977178 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Engineering artificial cellular systems capable of perceiving and transmitting external signals across membranes to activate downstream targets and coordinate protocellular responses is key to build cell-cell communications and protolife. Here, we report a synthetic photoreceptor-mediated signaling pathway with the integration of light harvesting, photo-to-chemical energy conversion, signal transmission, and amplification in synthetic cells, which ultimately resulted in protocell subcompartmentalization. Key to our design is a ruthenium-bipyridine complex that acts as a membrane-anchored photoreceptor to convert visible light into chemical information and transduce signals across the lipid membrane via flip-flop motion. By coupling receptor-mediated phototransduction with biological recognition and enzymatic cascade reactions, we further develop protocell signaling-encoded Boolean logic gates. Our results illustrate a minimal cell model to mimic the photoreceptor cells that can transduce the energy of light into intracellular responses and pave the way to modular control over the flow of information for complex metabolic and signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yue Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ke Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chuwen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yanglimin Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liyan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianming Li
- Research Center of New Energy, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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44
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Liu Q, Yang S, Seitz I, Pistikou AMM, de Greef TFA, Kostiainen MA. A Synthetic Protocell-Based Heparin Scavenger. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2201790. [PMID: 35570377 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Heparin is a commonly applied blood anticoagulant agent in clinical use. After treatment, excess heparin needs to be removed to circumvent side effects and recover the blood-clotting cascade. Most existing heparin antidotes rely on direct heparin binding and complexation, yet selective compartmentalization and sequestration of heparin would be beneficial for safety and efficiency. However, such systems have remained elusive. Herein, a semipermeable protein-based microcompartment (proteinosome) is loaded with a highly positively charged chitosan derivative, which can induce electrostatics-driven internalization of anionic guest molecules inside the compartment. Chitosan-loaded proteinosomes are subsequently employed to capture heparin, and an excellent heparin-scavenging performance is demonstrated under physiologically relevant conditions. Both the highly positive scavenger and the polyelectrolyte complex are confined and shielded by the protein compartment in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, selective heparin-scavenging behavior over serum albumin is realized through adjusting the localized scavenger or surrounding salt concentrations at application-relevant circumstances. In vitro studies reveal that the cytotoxicity of the cationic scavenger and the produced polyelectrolyte complex is reduced by protocell shielding. Therefore, the proteinosome-based systems may present a novel polyelectrolyte-scavenging method for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (WIUCAS), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Espoo, 02150, Finland
| | - Shuo Yang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, MB, 5600, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Seitz
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Espoo, 02150, Finland
| | - Anna-Maria Makri Pistikou
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, MB, 5600, The Netherlands
| | - Tom F A de Greef
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, MB, 5600, The Netherlands
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, MB, 6525, The Netherlands
- Center for Living Technologies, Alliance TU/e, WUR, UU, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, CB 3584, The Netherlands
| | - Mauri A Kostiainen
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Espoo, 02150, Finland
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45
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Zhao P, Qu F, Fu H, Zhao J, Guo J, Xu J, Ho YP, Chan MK, Bian L. Water-Immiscible Coacervate as a Liquid Magnetic Robot for Intravascular Navigation. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:3312-3317. [PMID: 36728932 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c13287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Developing magnetic ultrasoft robots to navigate through extraordinarily narrow and confined spaces like capillaries in vivo requires synthesizing materials with excessive deformability, responsive actuation, and rapid adaptability, which are difficult to achieve with the current soft polymeric materials, such as elastomers and hydrogels. We report a magnetically actuatable and water-immiscible (MAWI) coacervate based on the assembled magnetic core-shell nanoparticles to function as a liquid robot. The degradable and biocompatible millimeter-sized MAWI coacervate liquid robot can remain stable under changing pH and salt concentrations, release loaded cargoes on demand, squeeze through an artificial capillary network within seconds, and realize intravascular targeting in vivo guided by an external magnetic field. We believe the proposed "coacervate-based liquid robot" can implement demanding tasks beyond the capability of conventional elastomer or hydrogel-based soft robots in the field of biomedicine and represents a distinct design strategy for high-performance ultrasoft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengchao Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, P. R. China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China.,Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fuyang Qu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Hao Fu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, P. R. China
| | - Jianyang Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxin Guo
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Jiankun Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China.,Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University, Shantou 515041, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Ping Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Michael K Chan
- School of Life Sciences and Center of Novel Biomaterials, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Liming Bian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, P. R. China.,National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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46
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Yeh CW, Wang Y. Coacervate-Filled Lipid Vesicles for Protein Delivery. Macromol Biosci 2023:e2200538. [PMID: 36749955 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Macromolecularly crowded coacervate is useful in protein delivery for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, coacervate tends to aggregate easily, which impedes their application. Here, this work presents a method to prepare coacervate with enhanced stability. This work assembles phospholipids on the surface of a coacervate to form lipocoacervate (LipCo). The resultant LipCo possesses a discrete spherical structure with a coacervate interior and phospholipid outer shell. The size of LipCo does not change over the four-week observation window, whereas coacervate coalesced into one bulk phase within 30 min. This work uses vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) as examples to test LipCo's ability to maintain protein bioactivity. The in vitro lymphangiogenesis assay demonstrates that human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) formed increased network of cord in VEGF-C and FGF-2 loaded LipCo group compared to free proteins and proteins loaded in coacervate. Overall, LipCo could serve as a protein delivery vehicle with improved colloidal stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Yeh
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Kimball Hall 290, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - Yadong Wang
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Kimball Hall 290, Ithaca, 14853, USA
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47
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Zhang Y, Wang S, Yan Y, He X, Wang Z, Zhou S, Yang X, Wang K, Liu J. Phase-separated bienzyme compartmentalization as artificial intracellular membraneless organelles for cell repair. Sci China Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-022-1491-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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48
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Gao N, Mann S. Membranized Coacervate Microdroplets: from Versatile Protocell Models to Cytomimetic Materials. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:297-307. [PMID: 36625520 PMCID: PMC9910039 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Although complex coacervate microdroplets derived from associative phase separation of counter-charged electrolytes have emerged as a broad platform for the bottom-up construction of membraneless, molecularly crowded protocells, the absence of an enclosing membrane limits the construction of more sophisticated artificial cells and their use as functional cytomimetic materials. To address this problem, we and others have recently developed chemical-based strategies for the membranization of preformed coacervate microdroplets. In this Account, we review our recent work on diverse coacervate systems using a range of membrane building blocks and assembly processes. First, we briefly introduce the unusual nature of the coacervate/water interface, emphasizing the ultralow interfacial tension and broad interfacial width as physiochemical properties that require special attention in the judicious design of membranized coacervate microdroplets. Second, we classify membrane assembly into two different approaches: (i) interfacial self-assembly by using diverse surface-active building blocks such as molecular amphiphiles (fatty acids, phospholipids, block copolymers, protein-polymer conjugates) or nano- and microscale objects (liposomes, nanoparticle surfactants, cell fragments, living cells) with appropriate wettability; and (ii) coacervate droplet-to-vesicle reconfiguration by employing auxiliary surface reconstruction agents or triggering endogenous transitions (self-membranization) under nonstoichiometric (charge mismatched) conditions. We then discuss the key cytomimetic behaviors of membranized coacervate-based model protocells. Customizable permeability is achieved by synergistic effects operating between the molecularly crowded coacervate interior and surrounding membrane. In contrast, metabolic-like endogenous reactivity, diffusive chemical signaling, and collective chemical operations occur specifically in protocell networks comprising diverse populations of membranized coacervate microdroplets. In each case, these cytomimetic behaviors can give rise to functional microscale materials capable of promising cell-like applications. For example, immobilizing spatially segregated enzyme-loaded phospholipid-coated coacervate protocells in concentrically tubular hydrogels delivers prototissue-like bulk materials that generate nitric oxide in vitro, enabling platelet deactivation and inhibition of blood clot formation. Alternatively, therapeutic protocells with in vivo vasoactivity, high hemocompatibility, and increased blood circulation times are constructed by spontaneous assembly of hemoglobin-containing cell-membrane fragments on the surface of enzyme-loaded coacervate microdroplets. Higher-order properties such as artificial endocytosis are achieved by using nanoparticle-caged coacervate protocell hosts that selectively and actively capture guest nano- and microscale objects by responses to exogenous stimuli or via endogenous enzyme-mediated reactions. Finally, we discuss the current limitations in the design and programming of membranized coacervate microdroplets, which may help to guide future directions in this emerging research area. Taken together, we hope that this Account will inspire new advances in membranized coacervate microdroplets and promote their application in the development of integrated protocell models and functional cytomimetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Gao
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United
Kingdom,Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Mann
- Max
Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United
Kingdom,Centre
for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, BristolBS8 1TS, United Kingdom,School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai200240, PR China,Zhangjiang
Institute for Advanced Study (ZIAS), Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, 429 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai201203, PR China,
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49
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Dai H, Fan Q, Wang C. Recent applications of immunomodulatory biomaterials for disease immunotherapy. EXPLORATION 2022; 2:20210157. [PMCID: PMC10191059 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20210157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Huaxing Dai
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & Devices Soochow University 199 Ren'ai Road Suzhou Jiangsu China
| | - Qin Fan
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics & Information Displays (KLOEID) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) and School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications Nanjing China
| | - Chao Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & Devices Soochow University 199 Ren'ai Road Suzhou Jiangsu China
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50
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López‐Cuevas P, Xu C, Severn CE, Oates TCL, Cross SJ, Toye AM, Mann S, Martin P. Macrophage Reprogramming with Anti-miR223-Loaded Artificial Protocells Enhances In Vivo Cancer Therapeutic Potential. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202717. [PMID: 36314048 PMCID: PMC9762313 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Several immune cell-expressed miRNAs (miRs) are associated with altered prognostic outcome in cancer patients, suggesting that they may be potential targets for development of cancer therapies. Here, translucent zebrafish (Danio rerio) is utilized to demonstrate that genetic knockout or knockdown of one such miR, microRNA-223 (miR223), globally or specifically in leukocytes, does indeed lead to reduced cancer progression. As a first step toward potential translation to a clinical therapy, a novel strategy is described for reprogramming neutrophils and macrophages utilizing miniature artificial protocells (PCs) to deliver anti-miRs against the anti-inflammatory miR223. Using genetic and live imaging approaches, it is shown that phagocytic uptake of anti-miR223-loaded PCs by leukocytes in zebrafish (and by human macrophages in vitro) effectively prolongs their pro-inflammatory state by blocking the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which, in turn, drives altered immune cell-cancer cell interactions and ultimately leads to a reduced cancer burden by driving reduced proliferation and increased cell death of tumor cells. This PC cargo delivery strategy for reprogramming leukocytes toward beneficial phenotypes has implications also for treating other systemic or local immune-mediated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paco López‐Cuevas
- School of BiochemistryBiomedical Sciences BuildingUniversity WalkUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TDUK
| | - Can Xu
- Centre for Protolife ResearchSchool of ChemistryUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TSUK
| | - Charlotte E. Severn
- School of BiochemistryBiomedical Sciences BuildingUniversity WalkUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TDUK
- National Institute for Health Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit (NIHR BTRU) in Red Blood Cell ProductsUniversity of BristolBristolBS34 7QHUK
| | - Tiah C. L. Oates
- School of BiochemistryBiomedical Sciences BuildingUniversity WalkUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TDUK
- National Institute for Health Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit (NIHR BTRU) in Red Blood Cell ProductsUniversity of BristolBristolBS34 7QHUK
| | - Stephen J. Cross
- Wolfson Bioimaging FacilityBiomedical Sciences BuildingUniversity WalkUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TDUK
| | - Ashley M. Toye
- School of BiochemistryBiomedical Sciences BuildingUniversity WalkUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TDUK
- National Institute for Health Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit (NIHR BTRU) in Red Blood Cell ProductsUniversity of BristolBristolBS34 7QHUK
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife ResearchSchool of ChemistryUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TSUK
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal BiologySchool of ChemistryUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TSUK
- School of Materials Science and EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240P. R. China
| | - Paul Martin
- School of BiochemistryBiomedical Sciences BuildingUniversity WalkUniversity of BristolBristolBS8 1TDUK
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