Cytotransducers for Visualization of Spatiotemporal Intercellular Communication

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Intercellular communication is vital for multicellular organisms.
• Current visualization methods using nano-artifacts are limited by diffusion-based transport.
• Spatiotemporally controlled visualization of cell interactions remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conceptualize and develop cytotransducers for spatiotemporally controlled visualization of intercellular communication.
• To enable the conversion of veiled intra/intercellular information into visible signals.
• To demonstrate cross-scale visualization of cell interactions.

Main Methods:

• A 110-nm cytotransducer was designed, comprising a lipid layer and a fluorescent nanodiamond.
• The lipid layer facilitated neutrophil uptake.
• Fluorescein isothiocyanate labeling enabled visualization of intracellular pH.

Main Results:

• The cytotransducer was successfully used to visualize intercellular communication between neutrophils and macrophages, aged cells, and mesenchymal stem cells.
• Intracellular pH maps were generated before and during cell interactions.
• Spatiotemporally controlled visualization was achieved via localized cytotransducer release during NETosis.

Conclusions:

• The developed cytotransducers enable precise, spatiotemporally controlled visualization of intercellular communication.
• This technology allows simultaneous visualization of intra/intercellular information.
• The findings offer a new approach for studying complex multicellular systems.