The physics of plasma membrane photostimulation

Manfredi, Giovanni; Lodola, Francesco; Paternò, Giuseppe M.; Vurro, Vito; Baldelli, Pietro; Benfenati, Fabio; Lanzani, Guglielmo

doi:10.1063/5.0037109

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…Organic semiconductors in particular allow to establish almost seamless abiotic/biotic interfaces, as they are soft materials that support both ionic and electronic transport, alike many biological molecules (Rivnay et al, 2014). In this context, the triggering mechanism leading to cell activity upon light absorption can be capacitive, faradaic, or thermal (Martino et al, 2015; Ðerek et al, 2020; Manfredi et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Vurro

Federici

Ronchi

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Non-genetic photostimulation is a novel and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field of research that aims to induce light sensitivity in living systems by exploiting exogeneous phototransducers. Here we propose a recently synthetized intramembrane photo-transducer, based on an azobenzene derivative (Ziapin2), for optical pacing of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The light-mediated photostimulation process has been studied by applying a number of characterization techniques to detect the effect on the cell properties. In particular, we recorded changes in membrane capacitance, in membrane potential (Vm), and modulation of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Finally, cell contractility was analyzed using a custom MATLAB algorithm. Photostimulation of intra-membrane Ziapin2 causes a transient Vm hyperpolarization followed by a delayed depolarization and action potential firing. The observed initial electrical modulation nicely correlates with changes in Ca2+ dynamics and contraction rate. This work represents the proof of principle that Ziapin2 is able to modulate electrical activity and contractility in hiPSC-CMs, opening up a future development in cardiac electrophysiology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Vurro

Federici

Ronchi

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…The cell membrane is the natural target for this approach. 2 − 5 In particular, membrane potential modulation occurs via the photoinduced modification of the cell membrane electrical properties, such as resistance, capacitance, and resting potential, 2 either through direct photostimulation 6 or using selected transducers that are able to convert light into an electrical, mechanical, chemical, or thermal stimulus. 7 − 11 In the last decade, organic semiconductors have emerged as powerful photoactuators for the development of functional interfaces with living cells and organisms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 9 , 10 , 14 − 22 Driven by these strong motivations, many efforts have been dedicated to shed light on the biophysics underpinning photostimulation with organic semiconductors. 2 , 16 , 23 − 25 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Optical technologies are particularly suited for this purpose, as light enables precise and localized perturbation of cell activity in a remote and spatiotemporal precise manner. The cell membrane is the natural target for this approach. − In particular, membrane potential modulation occurs via the photoinduced modification of the cell membrane electrical properties, such as resistance, capacitance, and resting potential, either through direct photostimulation or using selected transducers that are able to convert light into an electrical, mechanical, chemical, or thermal stimulus. − In the last decade, organic semiconductors have emerged as powerful photoactuators for the development of functional interfaces with living cells and organisms. These systems, which have benefited from a long period of development and refinement for applications in organic photovoltaics, exhibit a relatively high absorption coefficient (α ∼ 10 5 cm –1 ) in the visible spectral range, which is suitable for light biostimulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This allows establishing a virtually seamless interface with biomolecules where both ionic and electronic processes can play a role . Taken together, these features make them ideal candidates for noninvasive optostimulation, for both in vitro and in vivo applications. ,,− Driven by these strong motivations, many efforts have been dedicated to shed light on the biophysics underpinning photostimulation with organic semiconductors. ,,− …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shedding Light on Thermally Induced Optocapacitance at the Organic Biointerface

et al. 2021

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Photothermal perturbation of the cell membrane is typically achieved using transducers that convert light into thermal energy, eventually heating the cell membrane. In turn, this leads to the modulation of the membrane electrical capacitance that is assigned to a geometrical modification of the membrane structure. However, the nature of such a change is not understood. In this work, we employ an all-optical spectroscopic approach, based on the use of fluorescent probes, to monitor the membrane polarity, viscosity, and order directly in living cells under thermal excitation transduced by a photoexcited polymer film. We report two major results. First, we show that rising temperature does not just change the geometry of the membrane but indeed it affects the membrane dielectric characteristics by water penetration. Second, we find an additional effect, which is peculiar for the photoexcited semiconducting polymer film, that contributes to the system perturbation and that we tentatively assigned to the photoinduced polarization of the polymer interface.

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