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Remote control of tissue interactions via engineered photo-switchable cell surfaces
Wei Luo1, Abigail Pulsipher2, Debjit Dutta2
11] Department of Chemistry, Carolina Center for Genome Science, Carolina Center for Cancer Nanotechnology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA [2] Department of Chemistry and Biology, Centre for Research in Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada.
Scientists engineered cell surfaces using liposome fusion for precise control over microtissue assembly and disassembly. This breakthrough enables remote manipulation of cell interactions and tissue dynamics for biotechnologies.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Cell surface engineering is crucial for controlling cellular behavior.
- Existing methods lack precise spatial and temporal control over microtissue dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a general cell surface molecular engineering strategy for controlled microtissue assembly and disassembly.
- To create a dual photo-active and bio-orthogonal cell surface for remote manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Liposome fusion delivery for cell surface tailoring of chemoselective functional groups.
- Flow cytometry and cell surface lipid pull-down mass spectrometry for characterization.
- Intercellular photo-oxime ligation for controlled tissue assembly and disassembly.
Main Results:
- Successfully engineered cell surfaces with dual photo-active and bio-orthogonal properties.
- Demonstrated dynamic spheroid and multilayer microtissue assembly and disassembly.
- Achieved spatial and temporal control over microtissue structures, influencing stem cell differentiation.
Conclusions:
- This liposome-mediated cell surface engineering strategy offers precise remote control over microtissue dynamics.
- The technology has broad applications in regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and fundamental cell communication research.
