The extracellular matrix (ECM) in which the cells reside provides a dynamic and reversible environment. Spatiotemporal cues are essential when cells are undergoing morphogenesis, repair and differentiation. Emulation of such an intricate system with reversible presentation of nanoscale cues can help us better understand cellular processes and can allow the precise manipulation of cell function in vitro. Herein, we formulated a photoswitchable DNA mechanical nanostructure containing azobenzene moieties and dynamically regulated the spatial distance between adhesion peptides using a photoswitchable DNA polymer with photoirradiation. We found that the DNA polymer reversibly forms two different structures, a relaxed linear and shrunken compact form, observed by AFM. Using the mechanical properties of this DNA polymer, UV and visible light irradiation induced a significant morphology change of the cells between a round shape and spindle shape, thus providing a tool to decipher the language of the ECM better.
Tissue/organ-derived bioink formulations open up new avenues in 3D bioprinting research with the potential to create functional tissue or organs. Printing of tissue construct largely depends on material properties, as it needs to be fabricated in an aqueous environment while encapsulating living cells. The decellularized extracellular matrix bioinks proved to be a potential option for functional tissue development in vivo and as an alternative to chemically cross-linked bioinks. However, certain limitations such as printability and limited mechanical strength need to be addressed for enhancing their widespread applications. By drawing knowledge from the existing literature, emphasis has been given in this review to the development of decellularized extracellular matrix bioinks and their applications in printing functional tissue constructs.
At the cellular level, numerous nanocues guide the cells to adhere, interact, proliferate, differentiate, etc. Understanding and manipulating the cellular functions in vitro, necessitates the elucidation of these nanocues provided to the cells by the extracellular matrix (ECM), neighbouring cells or in the form of ligands. DNA nanotechnology is a biocompatible, flexible and a promising molecular level toolkit for mimicking cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. In this review, we summarize various advances in cell-matrix, cell-cell and cell receptor-ligand interactions using DNA nanotechnology as a tool. We also provide a brief outlook on the current challenges and the future potentials of these DNA-based nanostructures so as to inspire novel innovations in the field.
Cell behavior is determined by a variety of properties of the extracellular environment like ligand spacing, nanotopography, matrix stiffness. Matrix stiffness changes occur in many biological processes like wound healing,...
The extracellular matrix (ECM) in which the cells reside provides ad ynamic and reversible environment. Spatiotemporal cues are essential when cells are undergoing morphogenesis,r epair and differentiation. Emulation of such an intricate system with reversible presentation of nanoscale cues can help us better understand cellular processes and can allowthe precise manipulation of cell function in vitro.Herein, we formulated ap hotoswitchable DNAm echanical nanostructure containing azobenzene moieties and dynamically regulated the spatial distance between adhesion peptides using ap hotoswitchable DNAp olymer with photoirradiation. We found that the DNAp olymer reversibly forms two different structures,ar elaxed linear and shrunken compact form, observed by AFM. Using the mechanical properties of this DNAp olymer,U Va nd visible light irradiation induced as ignificant morphology change of the cells between ar ound shape and spindle shape,thus providing atool to decipher the language of the ECM better.
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