Activatable cell–biomaterial interfacing with photo-caged peptides

Abstract

We report an effective strategy to design activatable cell–material interfacing systems enabling photo-modulated cellular entry of cargoes and cell adhesion towards surfaces.

Activatable cell-penetrating peptides: 15 years of research

“…The Stevens group conjugated a polyanionic domain to a CPP via an o-nitrobenzyl-based PCL and connected this structure to camptothecin loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Table 2, entry 10). 48 Using these particles, enhanced cell death of human breast adenocarcinoma and HeLa cells was observed when they were irradiated with UV light for 10 minutes (l = 365 nm), while no cell death was seen in the absence of light, demonstrating successful conditional CPP uptake and drug release.…”

“…Furthermore, ACCPs based on an ester bound o -nitrobenzyl PCL could be activated by two photon light ( λ = 740 nm, 16 mW), which resulted in successful uptake in HeLa cells as evidenced by cellular imaging ( Table 2 , entry 12). 48 …”

Molecular Regulators of Cellular Mechanoadaptation at Cell–Material Interfaces

“…Manipulation of the materials property to simulate tumor characteristics in vitro provides an insight into future therapeutic approaches of cancer. For instance, biomaterials engineering to control tissue stiffness, geometry, and ligand distribution can be a novel approach to enhance anti-cancer drug delivery efficacy (Lin et al, 2019 ) and develop a drug screening platform for the efficient treatment of cancers (Grolman et al, 2015 ). Moreover, a photo-activated biomaterial-conjugated cell penetrating peptide (CPPs) was introduced to temporally and spatially control cellular attachment and cellular growth upon photo activation (Lin et al, 2019 ).…”

“…For instance, biomaterials engineering to control tissue stiffness, geometry, and ligand distribution can be a novel approach to enhance anti-cancer drug delivery efficacy (Lin et al, 2019 ) and develop a drug screening platform for the efficient treatment of cancers (Grolman et al, 2015 ). Moreover, a photo-activated biomaterial-conjugated cell penetrating peptide (CPPs) was introduced to temporally and spatially control cellular attachment and cellular growth upon photo activation (Lin et al, 2019 ). This photo switchable cell–biomaterial interface exhibited an enhanced potential of cellular uptake of biomolecules and nanomaterials upon light activation, which can control the delivery of drugs to decrease the side effects of toxic drugs and increase the efficiency of therapies, proposing an applicable model for in vivo studies.…”

A photocleavable peptide-tagged mass probe for chemical mapping of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in human cancer cells

“…Recently developed and commercially available o-nitrobenzyl represents a valuable tool for user-dictated spatial and temporal control in the release of diverse chemical groups, such as bioactive ligands and protecting groups. 35 Moreover, the nitro group, together with two alkoxy groups on the benzene ring, facilitates photolytic cleavage with >350 nm UV light, which is less harmful for biological systems than UV light of shorter wavelengths. 36 Notably, the reporter peptide can ligate to both the R 1 and R 2 positions of the benzene ring, as illustrated in Fig.…”