Adaptive Multifunctional Supramolecular Assemblies of Glycopeptides Rapidly Enable Morphogenesis

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Cellular morphogenesis, like forming cell spheroids, is guided by adhesion but challenging to induce synthetically.
• Existing methods require complex signaling, limiting rapid, single-molecule induction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a single synthetic molecular species capable of rapidly inducing cell spheroids from monolayers.
• To explore the use of adaptive supramolecular assemblies for controlled cell behavior.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized glycopeptides with cell adhesion sequences and saccharides.
• Utilized self-assembly of glycopeptides into dynamic nanostructures (nanoparticles to nanofibers).
• Investigated the adaptive interactions of these assemblies with cell surface receptors (integrins, E-selectin, cadherins).

Main Results:

• Glycopeptide assemblies rapidly induced cell spheroids from cell monolayers.
• Adaptive interactions weakened cell-substratum adhesion and enhanced intercellular adhesion.
• Nanostructure formation was dynamic, ranging from nanoparticles to nanofibers.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive supramolecular glycopeptide assemblies offer a novel approach to rapidly induce cell spheroids.
• This strategy modulates biophysical conditions to regulate cell functions, presenting a new avenue for biomaterial development.