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Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer
Published on: April 23, 2017
Controlled spatial characteristics of ligands on nanoparticles: Determinant of cellular functions
Youngjin Choi1, Bo Kyung Cho1, Su Hyun Seok1
1Medicinal Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Interactions of various ligands and receptors have been extensively investigated because they regulate a series of signal transduction leading to various functional cellular outcomes. The receptors on cell membrane recognize their specific ligands, resulting in specific binding between ligands and receptors. Accumulating evidence reveals that the receptors recognize the difference on the spatial characteristics of ligands as well as the types of ligands. Thus, control on spatial characteristics of multiple ligands presented on therapeutic nanoparticles is believed to impact the cellular functions. Specifically, the localized and multivalent distribution of ligands on nanoparticles can induce receptor oligomerization and receptor clustering, controlling intensity or direction of signal transduction cascades. Here, we will introduce recent studies on the use of material-based nanotechnology to control spatial characteristics of ligands and their effect on cellular functions. These therapeutic nanoparticles with controlled spatial characteristics of ligands may be a promising strategy for maximized therapeutic outcome.
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