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Photo-Degradable Protein-Polymer Hybrid Shells for Caging Living Cells.

Satoshi Yamaguchi¹, Kazuki Chujo², Noriyuki Ohashi²

¹Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8904, Japan.

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|January 17, 2022

Summary

Researchers developed a novel method to remotely control mammalian cell functions using light-activated, photodegradable protein-polymer hybrid shells. This technique enables precise manipulation of cellular activities without genetic engineering, offering new possibilities for biological research and therapies.

Keywords:

bioorganic chemistry cage compounds cell adhesion layer-by-layer assembly protein-polymer hybrid materials

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Materials Science

Background:

Growing demand for precise remote control of cellular functions.
Need for non-genetic methods to manipulate cell behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a method for caging mammalian cells using photodegradable shells.
To demonstrate remote photo-control of cellular functions without genetic engineering.

Main Methods:

Layer-by-layer assembly of photocleavable synthetic materials via biotin-streptavidin binding.
Biotinylation of cell surfaces with photocleavable poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)-lipid.
Coating cells with streptavidin and PEG-lipid/PEG micelles.

Main Results:

Suppression of cell extension and adhesion using the hybrid shells.
Restoration of cell extension and adhesion upon light-induced shell degradation.
Inhibition and subsequent restart of macrophage phagocytosis using light-guided uncaging.

Conclusions:

Demonstrated proof of principle for remote control of cellular functions via photodegradable shells.
Established a non-genetic method for photo-controlling cell behavior using steric hindrance.
Highlighted the potential of this technology in various biological applications.