Single-cell coating with biomimetic extracellular nanofiber matrices.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Therapy Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Clinical application of cell therapies is hindered by challenges in cell survival, functional performance, and targeted delivery.
• Existing methods often struggle to maintain native cell phenotype and function post-treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biocompatible method for coating individual cells with a biodegradable nanofiber matrix.
• To enhance cell survival, targeting, and overall efficacy in cell-based therapies.

Main Methods:

• Self-assembly of peptide amphiphile (PA) molecules into supramolecular nanoscale filaments.
• Application of PA nanofibers to coat various cell lineages with high efficiency.
• In vitro assessment of coated human primary regulatory T (hTreg) cells displaying a vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) targeting motif.

Main Results:

• Achieved nearly 100% efficiency in coating diverse cell types with PA nanofibers.
• Demonstrated that the nanofiber coating did not negatively impact cellular phenotype or natural functions.
• Confirmed targeting capabilities of PA-coated hTreg cells using a VCAM-1 motif.

Conclusions:

• The PA nanofiber coating is a biocompatible and effective strategy for single-cell modification.
• This approach shows significant potential to overcome key limitations in current cell therapy applications.
• The method preserves cellular integrity and function, paving the way for improved therapeutic outcomes.