1
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Rosso AP, de Oliveira FA, Guégan P, Jager E, Giacomelli FC. Evaluation of polymersome permeability as a fundamental aspect towards the development of artificial cells and nanofactories. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 671:88-99. [PMID: 38795537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Polymersomes are synthetic vesicles with potential use in healthcare, chemical transformations in confined environment (nanofactories), and in the construction of artificial cells and organelles. In this framework, one of the most important features of such supramolecular structures is the permeability behavior allowing for selective control of mass exchange between the inner and outer compartments. The use of biological and synthetic nanopores in this regard is the most common strategy to impart permeability nevertheless, this typically requires fairly complex strategies to enable porosity. Yet, investigations concerning the permeability of polymer vesicles to different analytes still requires further exploration and, taking these considerations into account, we have detailed investigated the permeability behavior of a variety of polymersomes with regard to different analytes (water, protons, and rhodamine B) which were selected as models for solvents, ions, and small molecules. Polymersomes based on hydrophilic blocks of poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (PHPMA) or PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)) linked to the non-responsive blocks poly[N-(4-isopropylphenylacetamide)ethyl methacrylate] (PPPhA) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), or to the stimuli pH-responsive block poly[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDPA) have been investigated. Interestingly, the produced PEO-based vesicles are notably larger than the ones produced using PHPMA-containing block copolymers. The experimental results reveal that all the vesicles are inherently permeable to some extent with permeability behavior following exponential profiles. Nevertheless, polymersomes based on PMMA as the hydrophobic component were demonstrated to be the least permeable to the small molecule rhodamine B as well as to water. The synthetic vesicles based on the pH-responsive PDPA block exhibited restrictive and notably slow proton permeability as attributed to partial chain protonation upon acidification of the medium. The dye permeability was evidenced to be much slower than ion or solvent diffusion, and in the case of pH-responsive assemblies, it was demonstrated to also depend on the ionic strength of the environment. These findings are understood to be highly relevant towards polymer selection for the production of synthetic vesicles with selective and time-dependent permeability, and it may thus contribute in advancing biomimicry and nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella P Rosso
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | | | - Philippe Guégan
- Equipe Chimie des Polymères, Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (UMR-CNRS 8232), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Eliezer Jager
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Fernando C Giacomelli
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil.
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2
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Li X, Li L, Wang D, Zhang J, Yi K, Su Y, Luo J, Deng X, Deng F. Fabrication of polymeric microspheres for biomedical applications. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:2820-2855. [PMID: 38567423 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01641b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Polymeric microspheres (PMs) have attracted great attention in the field of biomedicine in the last several decades due to their small particle size, special functionalities shown on the surface and high surface-to-volume ratio. However, how to fabricate PMs which can meet the clinical needs and transform laboratory achievements to industrial scale-up still remains a challenge. Therefore, advanced fabrication technologies are pursued. In this review, we summarize the technologies used to fabricate PMs, including emulsion-based methods, microfluidics, spray drying, coacervation, supercritical fluid and superhydrophobic surface-mediated method and their advantages and disadvantages. We also review the different structures, properties and functions of the PMs and their applications in the fields of drug delivery, cell encapsulation and expansion, scaffolds in tissue engineering, transcatheter arterial embolization and artificial cells. Moreover, we discuss existing challenges and future perspectives for advancing fabrication technologies and biomedical applications of PMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuebing Li
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, P. R. China
| | - Luohuizi Li
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China.
| | - Dehui Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Shandong Pharmaceutical Glass Co. Ltd, Zibo, 256100, P. R. China
| | - Kangfeng Yi
- Shandong Pharmaceutical Glass Co. Ltd, Zibo, 256100, P. R. China
| | - Yucai Su
- Shandong Pharmaceutical Glass Co. Ltd, Zibo, 256100, P. R. China
| | - Jing Luo
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China.
| | - Xu Deng
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, P. R. China.
- Shenzhen Institute for Advanced Study, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen, 518110, P. R. China
| | - Fei Deng
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, P. R. China
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital Jinniu Hospital, Chengdu Jinniu District People's Hospital, Chengdu 610054, P. R. China.
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3
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Abeysinghe AADT, Young EJ, Rowland AT, Dunshee LC, Urandur S, Sullivan MO, Kerfeld CA, Keating CD. Interfacial Assembly of Bacterial Microcompartment Shell Proteins in Aqueous Multiphase Systems. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2308390. [PMID: 38037673 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202308390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Compartments are a fundamental feature of life, based variously on lipid membranes, protein shells, or biopolymer phase separation. Here, this combines self-assembling bacterial microcompartment (BMC) shell proteins and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to develop new forms of compartmentalization. It is found that BMC shell proteins assemble at the liquid-liquid interfaces between either 1) the dextran-rich droplets and PEG-rich continuous phase of a poly(ethyleneglycol)(PEG)/dextran aqueous two-phase system, or 2) the polypeptide-rich coacervate droplets and continuous dilute phase of a polylysine/polyaspartate complex coacervate system. Interfacial protein assemblies in the coacervate system are sensitive to the ratio of cationic to anionic polypeptides, consistent with electrostatically-driven assembly. In both systems, interfacial protein assembly competes with aggregation, with protein concentration and polycation availability impacting coating. These two LLPS systems are then combined to form a three-phase system wherein coacervate droplets are contained within dextran-rich phase droplets. Interfacial localization of BMC hexameric shell proteins is tunable in a three-phase system by changing the polyelectrolyte charge ratio. The tens-of-micron scale BMC shell protein-coated droplets introduced here can accommodate bioactive cargo such as enzymes or RNA and represent a new synthetic cell strategy for organizing biomimetic functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric J Young
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Andrew T Rowland
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, 16801, USA
| | - Lucas C Dunshee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Sandeep Urandur
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Cheryl A Kerfeld
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Christine D Keating
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, 16801, USA
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Gaur D, Dubey NC, Tripathi BP. Designing Configurable Soft Microgelsomes as a Smart Biomimetic Protocell. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:1108-1118. [PMID: 38236272 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Self-assembly is an intriguing aspect of primitive cells. The construction of a semipermeable compartment with a robust framework of soft material capable of housing an array of functional components for chemical changes is essential for the fabrication of synthetic protocells. Microgels, loosely cross-linked polymer networks, are suitable building blocks for protocell capsule generation due to their porous structure, tunable properties, and assembly at the emulsion interface. Here, we present an interfacial assembly of microgel-based microcompartments (microgelsomes, MGC) that are defined by a semipermeable, temperature-responsive elastic membrane formed by densely packed microgels in a monolayer. The water-dispersible microgelsomes can thermally shuttle between 10 and 95 °C while retaining their structural integrity. Importantly, the microgelsomes exhibited distinct properties of protocells, such as cargo encapsulation, semipermeable membrane, DNA amplification, and membrane-gated compartmentalized enzymatic cascade reaction. This versatile approach for the construction of biomimetic microcompartments augments the protocell library and paves the way for programmable synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Gaur
- Functional Materials & Membranes Laboratory, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Nidhi C Dubey
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Bijay P Tripathi
- Functional Materials & Membranes Laboratory, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
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Maffeis V, Heuberger L, Nikoletić A, Schoenenberger C, Palivan CG. Synthetic Cells Revisited: Artificial Cells Construction Using Polymeric Building Blocks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305837. [PMID: 37984885 PMCID: PMC10885666 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The exponential growth of research on artificial cells and organelles underscores their potential as tools to advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes. The bottom-up construction from a variety of building blocks at the micro- and nanoscale, in combination with biomolecules is key to developing artificial cells. In this review, artificial cells are focused upon based on compartments where polymers are the main constituent of the assembly. Polymers are of particular interest due to their incredible chemical variety and the advantage of tuning the properties and functionality of their assemblies. First, the architectures of micro- and nanoscale polymer assemblies are introduced and then their usage as building blocks is elaborated upon. Different membrane-bound and membrane-less compartments and supramolecular structures and how they combine into advanced synthetic cells are presented. Then, the functional aspects are explored, addressing how artificial organelles in giant compartments mimic cellular processes. Finally, how artificial cells communicate with their surrounding and each other such as to adapt to an ever-changing environment and achieve collective behavior as a steppingstone toward artificial tissues, is taken a look at. Engineering artificial cells with highly controllable and programmable features open new avenues for the development of sophisticated multifunctional systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maffeis
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Lukas Heuberger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
| | - Anamarija Nikoletić
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | | | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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6
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Zhang K, Zhou Y, Moreno S, Schwarz S, Boye S, Voit B, Appelhans D. Reversible crowdedness of pH-responsive and host-guest active polymersomes: Mimicking µm-sized cell structures. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 654:1469-1482. [PMID: 37858368 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The structure-function characteristics of isolated artificial organelles (AOs) in protocells are mainly known, but there are few reports on clustered or aggregated AOs. To imitate µm-sized complex and heterogeneous cell structures, approaches are needed that enable reversible changes in the aggregation state of colloidal structures in response to chemical, biological, and external stimuli. To construct adaptive organelle-like or cell-like reorganization characteristics, we present an advanced crosslinking strategy to fabricate clustered polymersomes as a platform based on host-guest interactions between azobenzene-containing polymersomes (Azo-Psomes) and a β-cyclodextrin-modified polymer (β-CD polymer) as a crosslinker. First, the reversible (dis)assembly of clustered Azo-Psomes is carried out by the alternating input of crosslinker and adamantane-PEG3000 as a decrosslinker. Moreover, cluster size dependence is demonstrated by environmental pH. These offer the controlled fabrication of various homogeneous and heterogeneous Azo-Psomes structures, including the size regulation and visualization of clustered AOs through a fluorescent enzymatic cascade reaction. Finally, a temperature-sensitive crosslinking agent with β-CD units can promote the coaggregation of Azo-Psomes mediated by temperature changes. Overall, these (co-)clustered Azo-Psomes and their successful transformation in AOs may provide new features for modelling biological systems for eukaryotic cells and systems biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehu Zhang
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany; Chair of Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01062, Germany
| | - Yang Zhou
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany; Chair of Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01062, Germany
| | - Silvia Moreno
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany.
| | - Simona Schwarz
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany
| | - Susanne Boye
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany
| | - Brigitte Voit
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany; Chair of Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01062, Germany
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany.
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7
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Darji S, Aayush A, Estes KM, Strock JD, Thompson DH. Unravelling the Mechanism of Elastin-like Polypeptide-Enzyme Fusion Stabilization in Organic Solvents. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:272-281. [PMID: 38118170 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) are a class of materials that are widely used as purification tags and in potential therapeutic applications. We have used the hydrophobic nature of ELP to extract them into organic solvents and precipitate them to obtain highly pure materials. Although many different types of ELP have been rapidly purified in this manner, the underlying mechanism for this process and its ability to retain functional proteins within organic phase-rich media has been unclear. A cleavable ELP-Intein construct fused with the enzyme chorismate mutase (ELP-I-Cm2) was used to better understand the organic solvent extraction process for ELP and the factors impacting the retention of enzyme activity. Our extraction studies indicated that a cell lysis step was essential to stabilize the ELP-I-Cm2 in the organic phase, prevent intein cleavage, and extract the fusion protein with high efficiency and retained activity. Circular dichroism and infrared spectroscopic characterization of ELP-I-Cm2 in organic solvents and aqueous solutions of the extracted and precipitated material indicated that the ELP secondary structure was retained in both environments. Atomic force microscopy and negative stain transmission electron microscopy imaging of ELP-I-Cm2 in organic solvents revealed highly regular circular features that were ∼50 nm in diameter, in contrast to larger (>100 nm) irregular features found in aqueous solutions. Since reverse micelles have often been used in catalytic processes, we evaluated the enzymatic activity of the ELP-I-Cm2 reversed micelles in different organic solvent mixtures and found that Cm2-mediated reactions in organic media were of comparable rate and efficiency to those in aqueous media. Based on these findings, we report an exciting new opportunity for ELP-enzyme fusion applications by exploiting their ability to form catalytically active reverse micelles in organic media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Darji
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Aayush Aayush
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Kiera M Estes
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jocie D Strock
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - David H Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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8
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Gao Y, Gao C, Fan Y, Sun H, Du J. Physically and Chemically Compartmentalized Polymersomes for Programmed Delivery and Biological Applications. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:5511-5538. [PMID: 37933444 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Multicompartment polymersomes (MCPs) refer to polymersomes that not only contain one single compartment, either in the membrane or in the internal cavity, but also mimic the compartmentalized structure of living cells, attracting much attention in programmed delivery and biological applications. The investigation of MCPs may promote the application of soft nanomaterials in biomedicine. This Review seeks to highlight the recent advances of the design principles, synthetic strategies, and biomedical applications of MCPs. The compartmentalization types including chemical, physical, and hybrid compartmentalization are discussed. Subsequently, the design and controlled synthesis of MCPs by the self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers, double emulsification, coprecipitation, microfluidics and particle assembly, etc. are summarized. Furthermore, the diverse applications of MCPs in programmed delivery of various cargoes and biological applications including cancer therapy, antimicrobials, and regulation of blood glucose levels are highlighted. Finally, future perspectives of MCPs from the aspects of controlled synthesis and applications are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Gao
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Chenchen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yirong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
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9
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Perin GB, Moreno S, Zhou Y, Günther M, Boye S, Voit B, Felisberti MI, Appelhans D. Construction of Membraneless and Multicompartmentalized Coacervate Protocells Controlling a Cell Metabolism-like Cascade Reaction. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:5807-5822. [PMID: 37984848 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing attention to designing synthetic protocells, capable of mimicking micrometric and multicompartmental structures and highly complex physicochemical and biological processes with spatiotemporal control. Controlling metabolism-like cascade reactions in coacervate protocells is still challenging since signal transduction has to be involved in sequential and parallelized actions mediated by a pH change. Herein, we report the hierarchical construction of membraneless and multicompartmentalized protocells composed of (i) a cytosol-like scaffold based on complex coacervate droplets stable under flow conditions, (ii) enzyme-active artificial organelles and a substrate nanoreservoir capable of triggering a cascade reaction between them in response to a pH increase, and (iii) a signal transduction component based on the urease enzyme capable of the conversion of an exogenous biological fuel (urea) into an endogenous signal (ammonia and pH increase). Overall, this strategy allows a synergistic communication between their components within the membraneless and multicompartment protocells and, thus, metabolism-like enzymatic cascade reactions. This signal communication is transmitted through a scaffold protocell from an "inactive state" (nonfluorescent protocell) to an "active state" (fluorescent protocell capable of consuming stored metabolites).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni B Perin
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Silvia Moreno
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Yang Zhou
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Günther
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Boye
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Brigitte Voit
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria I Felisberti
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
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Powers J, Jang Y. Advancing Biomimetic Functions of Synthetic Cells through Compartmentalized Cell-Free Protein Synthesis. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:5539-5550. [PMID: 37962115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cells are artificial constructs that mimic the structures and functions of living cells. They are attractive for studying diverse biochemical processes and elucidating the origins of life. While creating a living synthetic cell remains a grand challenge, researchers have successfully synthesized hundreds of unique synthetic cell platforms. One promising approach to developing more sophisticated synthetic cells is to integrate cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) mechanisms into vesicle platforms. This makes it possible to create synthetic cells with complex biomimetic functions such as genetic circuits, autonomous membrane modifications, sensing and communication, and artificial organelles. This Review explores recent advances in the use of CFPS to impart advanced biomimetic structures and functions to bottom-up synthetic cell platforms. We also discuss the potential applications of synthetic cells in biomedicine as well as the future directions of synthetic cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Powers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1006 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Yeongseon Jang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1006 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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11
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Velasco-Garcia L, Casadevall C. Bioinspired photocatalytic systems towards compartmentalized artificial photosynthesis. Commun Chem 2023; 6:263. [PMID: 38049562 PMCID: PMC10695942 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01069-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial photosynthesis aims to produce fuels and chemicals from simple building blocks (i.e. water and carbon dioxide) using sunlight as energy source. Achieving effective photocatalytic systems necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms and factors that control the reactivity. This review underscores the growing interest in utilizing bioinspired artificial vesicles to develop compartmentalized photocatalytic systems. Herein, we summarize different scaffolds employed to develop artificial vesicles, and discuss recent examples where such systems are used to study pivotal processes of artificial photosynthesis, including light harvesting, charge transfer, and fuel production. These systems offer valuable lessons regarding the appropriate choice of membrane scaffolds, reaction partners and spatial arrangement to enhance photocatalytic activity, selectivity and efficiency. These studies highlight the pivotal role of the membrane to increase the stability of the immobilized reaction partners, generate a suitable local environment, and force proximity between electron donor and acceptor molecules (or catalysts and photosensitizers) to increase electron transfer rates. Overall, these findings pave the way for further development of bioinspired photocatalytic systems for compartmentalized artificial photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Velasco-Garcia
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
- Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University Rovira i Virgili (URV), C/ Marcel.lí Domingo, 1, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Carla Casadevall
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Avinguda dels Països Catalans, 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
- Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University Rovira i Virgili (URV), C/ Marcel.lí Domingo, 1, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
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12
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Wang X, Qiao X, Chen H, Wang L, Liu X, Huang X. Synthetic-Cell-Based Multi-Compartmentalized Hierarchical Systems. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201712. [PMID: 37069779 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In the extant lifeforms, the self-sustaining behaviors refer to various well-organized biochemical reactions in spatial confinement, which rely on compartmentalization to integrate and coordinate the molecularly crowded intracellular environment and complicated reaction networks in living/synthetic cells. Therefore, the biological phenomenon of compartmentalization has become an essential theme in the field of synthetic cell engineering. Recent progress in the state-of-the-art of synthetic cells has indicated that multi-compartmentalized synthetic cells should be developed to obtain more advanced structures and functions. Herein, two ways of developing multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems, namely interior compartmentalization of synthetic cells (organelles) and integration of synthetic cell communities (synthetic tissues), are summarized. Examples are provided for different construction strategies employed in the above-mentioned engineering ways, including spontaneous compartmentalization in vesicles, host-guest nesting, phase separation mediated multiphase, adhesion-mediated assembly, programmed arrays, and 3D printing. Apart from exhibiting advanced structures and functions, synthetic cells are also applied as biomimetic materials. Finally, key challenges and future directions regarding the development of multi-compartmentalized hierarchical systems are summarized; these are expected to lay the foundation for the creation of a "living" synthetic cell as well as provide a larger platform for developing new biomimetic materials in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Qiao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Haixu Chen
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Xin Huang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
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13
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Sümbelli Y, Mason AF, van Hest JCM. Toward Artificial Cell-Mediated Tissue Engineering: A New Perspective. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2300149. [PMID: 37565690 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The fast-growing pace of regenerative medicine research has allowed the development of a range of novel approaches to tissue engineering applications. Until recently, the main points of interest in the majority of studies have been to combine different materials to control cellular behavior and use different techniques to optimize tissue formation, from 3-D bioprinting to in situ regeneration. However, with the increase of the understanding of the fundamentals of cellular organization, tissue development, and regeneration, has also come the realization that for the next step in tissue engineering, a higher level of spatiotemporal control on cell-matrix interactions is required. It is proposed that the combination of artificial cell research with tissue engineering could provide a route toward control over complex tissue development. By equipping artificial cells with the underlying mechanisms of cellular functions, such as communication mechanisms, migration behavior, or the coherent behavior of cells depending on the surrounding matrix properties, they can be applied in instructing native cells into desired differentiation behavior at a resolution not to be attained with traditional matrix materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiğitcan Sümbelli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600MB, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander F Mason
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600MB, The Netherlands
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14
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Sun Q, Shi J, Sun H, Zhu Y, Du J. Membrane and Lumen-Compartmentalized Polymersomes for Biocatalysis and Cell Mimics. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:4587-4604. [PMID: 37842883 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is a crucial feature of a natural cell, manifested in cell membrane and inner lumen. Inspired by the cellular structure, multicompartment polymersomes (MCPs), including membrane-compartmentalized polymersomes and lumen-compartmentalized polymersomes (polymersomes-in-polymersomes), have aroused great expectations for biological applications such as biocatalysis and cell mimics in the past decades. Compared with traditional polymersomes, MCPs have advantages in encapsulating multiple enzymes separately for multistep enzymatic cascade reactions. In this review, first, the design principles and preparation methods of membrane-compartmentalized and lumen-compartmentalized polymersomes are summarized. Next, recent advances of MCPs as nanoreactors and cell mimics to mimic subcellular organelles or artificial cells are discussed. Finally, the future research directions of MCPs are prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingmei Sun
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Junqiu Shi
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yunqing Zhu
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
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15
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Xi Y, Frank BD, Tatas A, Pavlovic M, Zeininger L. Multicompartment calcium alginate microreactors to reduce substrate inhibition in enzyme cascade reactions. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7541-7549. [PMID: 37750330 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00816a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The formation of macromolecularly enriched condensates through associative or segregative liquid-liquid phase separation phenomena is known to play a central role in controlling various cellular functions in nature. The potential to spatially and temporally modulate multistep chemical reactions and pathways has inspired the use of phase-separated systems for the development of various synthetic colloidal micro- and nanoreactor systems. Here, we report a rational and synthetically minimal design strategy to emulate intended spatiotemporal functions in morphologically intricate and structurally defined calcium alginate hydrogel microreactors possessing multicompartmentalized internal architectures. Specifically, we implement a thermal phase separation protocol to achieve fine-control over liquid-liquid phase separation inside complex aqueous emulsion droplet templates that are loaded with hydrophilic polymer mixtures. Subsequent gelation of alginate-containing droplet templates using a novel freeze-thaw approach that can be applied to both scalable batch production or more precise microfluidic methods yields particle replicas, in which subcompartmentalized architectures can be retained. Larger active components can be enriched in the internal compartments due to their preferential solubility, and we show that selective sequestration of enzymes serves to create desired microenvironments to control and tune the reaction kinetics of a multistep enzyme cascade by reducing their mutual interference. This demonstration of mitigating substrate inhibition that is based primarily on optimizing the multicompartmentalized hydrogel particle morphology offers new opportunities for the simple and synthetically-minimal batch generation of hydrogel-based synthesis microreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Xi
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Bradley D Frank
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Apostolos Tatas
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Marko Pavlovic
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
- Department of Physics and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
| | - Lukas Zeininger
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
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16
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Shin J, Jang Y. Rational design and engineering of polypeptide/protein vesicles for advanced biological applications. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:8834-8847. [PMID: 37505198 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01103h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic vesicles have gained considerable popularity in recent years for numerous biological and medical applications. Among the various types of synthetic vesicles, the utilization of polypeptides and/or proteins as fundamental constituents has garnered significant interest for vesicle construction owing to the unique bio-functionalities inherent in rationally designed amino acid sequences. Especially the incorporation of functional proteins onto the vesicle surface facilitates a wide range of advanced biological applications that are not easily attainable with traditional building blocks, such as lipids and polymers. The main goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in polypeptide/protein vesicles. Moreover, this review encompasses the rational design and engineering strategies employed in the creation of polypeptide/protein vesicles, including the synthesis of building blocks, the modulation of their self-assembly, as well as their diverse applications. Furthermore, this work includes an in-depth discussion of the key challenges and opportunities associated with polypeptide/protein vesicles, providing valuable insights for future research. By offering an up-to-date review of this burgeoning field of polypeptide/protein vesicle research, this review will shed light on the potential applications of these biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jooyong Shin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1006 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
| | - Yeongseon Jang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1006 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
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17
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Zhao H, Liu R, Wang L, Tang F, Chen W, Liu YN. Artificial Macrophage with Hierarchical Nanostructure for Biomimetic Reconstruction of Antitumor Immunity. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:216. [PMID: 37737506 PMCID: PMC10516848 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01193-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are constructed from synthetic materials to imitate the biological functions of natural cells. By virtue of nanoengineering techniques, artificial cells with designed biomimetic functions provide alternatives to natural cells, showing vast potential for biomedical applications. Especially in cancer treatment, the deficiency of immunoactive macrophages results in tumor progression and immune resistance. To overcome the limitation, a BaSO4@ZIF-8/transferrin (TRF) nanomacrophage (NMΦ) is herein constructed as an alternative to immunoactive macrophages. Alike to natural immunoactive macrophages, NMΦ is stably retained in tumors through the specific affinity of TRF to tumor cells. Zn2+ as an "artificial cytokine" is then released from the ZIF-8 layer of NMΦ under tumor microenvironment. Similar as proinflammatory cytokines, Zn2+ can trigger cell anoikis to expose tumor antigens, which are selectively captured by the BaSO4 cavities. Therefore, the hierarchical nanostructure of NMΦs allows them to mediate immunogenic death of tumor cells and subsequent antigen capture for T cell activation to fabricate long-term antitumor immunity. As a proof-of-concept, the NMΦ mimics the biological functions of macrophage, including tumor residence, cytokine release, antigen capture and immune activation, which is hopeful to provide a paradigm for the design and biomedical applications of artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henan Zhao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Renyu Liu
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqiang Wang
- Henan Province Industrial Technology Research Institute of Resources and Materials, School of Material Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Feiying Tang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wansong Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - You-Nian Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Stano P. Chemical Systems for Wetware Artificial Life: Selected Perspectives in Synthetic Cell Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14138. [PMID: 37762444 PMCID: PMC10532297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent and important advances in bottom-up synthetic biology (SB), in particular in the field of the so-called "synthetic cells" (SCs) (or "artificial cells", or "protocells"), lead us to consider the role of wetware technologies in the "Sciences of Artificial", where they constitute the third pillar, alongside the more well-known pillars hardware (robotics) and software (Artificial Intelligence, AI). In this article, it will be highlighted how wetware approaches can help to model life and cognition from a unique perspective, complementary to robotics and AI. It is suggested that, through SB, it is possible to explore novel forms of bio-inspired technologies and systems, in particular chemical AI. Furthermore, attention is paid to the concept of semantic information and its quantification, following the strategy recently introduced by Kolchinsky and Wolpert. Semantic information, in turn, is linked to the processes of generation of "meaning", interpreted here through the lens of autonomy and cognition in artificial systems, emphasizing its role in chemical ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Stano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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19
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Koroleva M. Multicompartment colloid systems with lipid and polymer membranes for biomedical applications. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:21836-21859. [PMID: 37565484 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp01984e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Multicompartment structures have the potential for biomedical applications because they can act as multifunctional systems and provide simultaneous delivery of drugs and diagnostics agents of different types. Moreover, some of them mimic biological cells to some extent with organelles as separate sub-compartments. This article analyses multicompartment colloidal structures with smaller sub-units covered with lipid or polymer membranes that provide additional protection for the encapsulated substances. Vesosomes with small vesicles encapsulated in the inner pools of larger liposomes are the most studied systems to date. Dendrimer molecules are enclosed by a lipid bilayer shell in dendrosomes. Capsosomes, polymersomes-in-polymer capsules, and cubosomes-in-polymer capsules are composed of sub-compartments encapsulated within closed multilayer polymer membranes. Janus or Cerberus emulsions contain droplets composed of two or three phases: immiscible oils in O/W emulsions and aqueous polymer or salt solutions that are separated into two or three phases and form connected droplets in W/O emulsions. In more cases, the external surface of engulfed droplets in Janus or Cerberus emulsions is covered with a lipid or polymer monolayer. eLiposomes with emulsion droplets encapsulated into a bilayer shell have been given little attention so far, but they have very great prospects. In addition to nanoemulsion droplets, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and inorganic nanoparticles can be loaded into eLiposomes. Molecular engineering of the external membrane allows the creation of ligand-targeted and stimuli-responsive multifunctional systems. As a result, the efficacy of drug delivery can be significantly enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Koroleva
- Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology, Miusskaya sq. 9, Moscow 125047.
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20
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Zhu Y, Cao S, Huo M, van Hest JCM, Che H. Recent advances in permeable polymersomes: fabrication, responsiveness, and applications. Chem Sci 2023; 14:7411-7437. [PMID: 37449076 PMCID: PMC10337762 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc01707a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymersomes are vesicular nanostructures enclosed by a bilayer-membrane self-assembled from amphiphilic block copolymers, which exhibit higher stability compared with their biological analogues (e.g. liposomes). Due to their versatility, polymersomes have found various applications in different research fields such as drug delivery, nanomedicine, biological nanoreactors, and artificial cells. However, polymersomes prepared with high molecular weight components typically display low permeability to molecules and ions. It hence remains a major challenge to balance the opposing features of robustness and permeability of polymersomes. In this review, we focus on the design and strategies for fabricating permeable polymersomes, including polymersomes with intrinsic permeability, the formation of nanopores in the membrane bilayers by protein insertion, and the construction of stimuli-responsive polymersomes. Then, we highlight the applications of permeable polymersomes in the fields of biomimetic nanoreactors, artificial cells and organelles, and nanomedicine, to underline the challenges in the development of polymersomes as soft matter with biomedical utilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineerin, Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China
| | - Shoupeng Cao
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research Mainz 55128 Germany
| | - Meng Huo
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University Hangzhou 310018 China
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Hailong Che
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineerin, Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China
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21
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Yan X, Liu X, Zhao C, Chen GQ. Applications of synthetic biology in medical and pharmaceutical fields. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:199. [PMID: 37169742 PMCID: PMC10173249 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01440-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to design or assemble existing bioparts or bio-components for useful bioproperties. During the past decades, progresses have been made to build delicate biocircuits, standardized biological building blocks and to develop various genomic/metabolic engineering tools and approaches. Medical and pharmaceutical demands have also pushed the development of synthetic biology, including integration of heterologous pathways into designer cells to efficiently produce medical agents, enhanced yields of natural products in cell growth media to equal or higher than that of the extracts from plants or fungi, constructions of novel genetic circuits for tumor targeting, controllable releases of therapeutic agents in response to specific biomarkers to fight diseases such as diabetes and cancers. Besides, new strategies are developed to treat complex immune diseases, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders that are hard to cure via traditional approaches. In general, synthetic biology brings new capabilities to medical and pharmaceutical researches. This review summarizes the timeline of synthetic biology developments, the past and present of synthetic biology for microbial productions of pharmaceutics, engineered cells equipped with synthetic DNA circuits for diagnosis and therapies, live and auto-assemblied biomaterials for medical treatments, cell-free synthetic biology in medical and pharmaceutical fields, and DNA engineering approaches with potentials for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Liu
- PhaBuilder Biotech Co. Ltd., Shunyi District, Zhaoquan Ying, 101309, Beijing, China
| | - Cuihuan Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
- MOE Key Lab for Industrial Biocatalysis, Dept Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
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22
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Pan X, Kochovski Z, Wang YL, Sarhan RM, Härk E, Gupta S, Stojkovikj S, El-Nagar GA, Mayer MT, Schürmann R, Deumer J, Gollwitzer C, Yuan J, Lu Y. Poly(ionic liquid) nanovesicles via polymerization induced self-assembly and their stabilization of Cu nanoparticles for tailored CO 2 electroreduction. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 637:408-420. [PMID: 36716665 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.01.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report a straightforward, scalable synthetic route towards poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) homopolymer nanovesicles (NVs) with a tunable particle size of 50 to 120 nm and a shell thickness of 15 to 60 nm via one-step free radical polymerization induced self-assembly. By increasing monomer concentration for polymerization, their nanoscopic morphology can evolve from hollow NVs to dense spheres, and finally to directional worms, in which a multilamellar packing of PIL chains occurred in all samples. The transformation mechanism of NVs' internal morphology is studied in detail by coarse-grained simulations, revealing a correlation between the PIL chain length and the shell thickness of NVs. To explore their potential applications, PIL NVs with varied shell thickness are in situ functionalized with ultra-small (1 ∼ 3 nm in size) copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and employed as electrocatalysts for CO2 electroreduction. The composite electrocatalysts exhibit a 2.5-fold enhancement in selectivity towards C1 products (e.g., CH4), compared to the pristine CuNPs. This enhancement is attributed to the strong electronic interactions between the CuNPs and the surface functionalities of PIL NVs. This study casts new aspects on using nanostructured PILs as new electrocatalyst supports in CO2 conversion to C1 products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Pan
- Department for Electrochemical Energy Storage, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Zdravko Kochovski
- Department for Electrochemical Energy Storage, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yong-Lei Wang
- Department for Electrochemical Energy Storage, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Radwan M Sarhan
- Department for Electrochemical Energy Storage, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Eneli Härk
- Department for Electrochemical Energy Storage, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Siddharth Gupta
- Helmholtz Young Investigator Group: Electrochemical Conversion, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany; Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sasho Stojkovikj
- Helmholtz Young Investigator Group: Electrochemical Conversion, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany; Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gumaa A El-Nagar
- Helmholtz Young Investigator Group: Electrochemical Conversion, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt.
| | - Matthew T Mayer
- Helmholtz Young Investigator Group: Electrochemical Conversion, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robin Schürmann
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Abbestr. 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jérôme Deumer
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Abbestr. 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Gollwitzer
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Abbestr. 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jiayin Yuan
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK), Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Yan Lu
- Department for Electrochemical Energy Storage, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
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23
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Li Y, Xu J, Yang H. Pickering Emulsion Droplet-Derived Multicompartmentalized Microspheres for Innovative Applications. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:5621-5630. [PMID: 37058608 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Multicompartmentalized microspheres with multilevel and complex interior structures have great potential in practical applications due to their cell-like structures and microscale dimension. The Pickering emulsion droplet-confined synthesis route has been demonstrated to be a promising strategy for fabricating multicompartmentalized microspheres. Since Pickering emulsion-templated formation of hollow microspheres is an interface-directed process in which the growth of shells occurs at the oil/water interface and the confined space of Pickering emulsion droplet accommodates a variety of behaviors, such as surfactant-guided assembly growth, confined pyrolysis transformation, tritemplated growth, and bottom-up assembly, the independent and free regulation of the interface and internal structure of microspheres is allowed. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent progress in the synthesis of microparticles with tunable interior structures via the Pickering emulsion droplet-based approach. And we delve into the innovative applications of these multilevel-structured microparticles benefiting from their biomimetic multicompartments. Finally, some fundamental challenges and opportunities are identified for regulating the interior structure within microspheres and promoting practical applications by virtue of the Pickering emulsion droplet-confined synthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Hengquan Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
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Li J, Parakhonskiy BV, Skirtach AG. A decade of developing applications exploiting the properties of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:807-835. [PMID: 36472384 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc04806j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Transferring the layer-by-layer (LbL) coating approach from planar surfaces to spherical templates and subsequently dissolving these templates leads to the fabrication of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules. The versatility of the coatings of capsules and their flexibility upon bringing in virtually any material into the coatings has quickly drawn substantial attention. Here, we provide an overview of the main developments in this field, highlighting the trends in the last decade. In the beginning, various methods of encapsulation and release are discussed followed by a broad range of applications, which were developed and explored. We also outline the current trends, where the range of applications is continuing to grow, including addition of whole new and different application areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Nano-Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Bogdan V Parakhonskiy
- Nano-Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Andre G Skirtach
- Nano-Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Ma L, Fang X, Wang C. Peptide-based coacervates in therapeutic applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 10:1100365. [PMID: 36686257 PMCID: PMC9845597 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1100365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coacervates are droplets formed by liquid‒liquid phase separation. An increasing number of studies have reported that coacervates play an important role in living cells, such as in the generation of membraneless organelles, and peptides contribute to condensate droplet formation. Peptides with versatile functional groups and special secondary structures, including α-helices, β-sheets and intrinsically disordered regions, provide novel insights into coacervation, such as biomimetic protocells, neurodegenerative diseases, modulations of signal transmission, and drug delivery systems. In this review, we introduce different types of peptide-based coacervates and the principles of their interactions. Additionally, we summarize the thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms of peptide-based coacervates and the associated factors, including salt, pH, and temperature, affecting the phase separation process. We illustrate recent studies on modulating the functions of peptide-based coacervates applied in biological diseases. Finally, we propose their promising broad applications and describe the challenges of peptide-based coacervates in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilusi Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaocui Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Xiaocui Fang, ; Chen Wang,
| | - Chen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Xiaocui Fang, ; Chen Wang,
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26
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Lin YF, Lin YS, Huang TY, Wei SC, Wu RS, Huang CC, Huang YF, Chang HT. Photoswitchable carbon-dot liposomes mediate catalytic cascade reactions for amplified dynamic treatment of tumor cells. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 628:717-725. [PMID: 35944302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Most biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms are catalyzed by a series of enzymes and proceed in a tightly controlled manner. The development of artificial enzyme cascades that resemble multienzyme complexes in nature is of current interest due to their potential in various applications. In this study, a nanozyme based on photoswitchable carbon-dot liposomes (CDsomes) was developed for use in programmable catalytic cascade reactions. These CDsomes prepared from triolein are amphiphilic and self-assemble into liposome-like structures in an aqueous environment. CDsomes feature excitation-dependent photoluminescence and, notably, can undergo reversible switching between a fluorescent on-state and nonfluorescent off-state under different wavelengths of light irradiation. This switching ability enables the CDsomes to exert photocatalytic oxidase- and peroxidase-like activities in their on- (bright) and off- (dark) states, respectively, resulting in the conversion of oxygen molecules into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), followed by the generation of active hydroxyl radicals (OH). The two steps of oxygen activation can be precisely controlled in a sequential manner by photoirradiation at different wavelengths. Catalytic reversibility also enables the CDsomes to produce sufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) to effectively kill tumor cells. Our results reveal that CDsomes is a promising photo-cycling nanozyme for precise tumor phototherapy through regulated programmable cascade reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Lin
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Syuan Lin
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yun Huang
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chun Wei
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Siang Wu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ching Huang
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fen Huang
- Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Huan-Tsung Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
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Yao Z, Du N, Chen N, Liu J, Hou W. Primitive Nucleobases @ Sodium 2-Ketooctanoate Vesicles with High Salt Resistance. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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28
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Heuberger L, Korpidou M, Eggenberger OM, Kyropoulou M, Palivan CG. Current Perspectives on Synthetic Compartments for Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5718. [PMID: 35628527 PMCID: PMC9145047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Nano- and micrometer-sized compartments composed of synthetic polymers are designed to mimic spatial and temporal divisions found in nature. Self-assembly of polymers into compartments such as polymersomes, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), layer-by-layer (LbL) capsules, capsosomes, or polyion complex vesicles (PICsomes) allows for the separation of defined environments from the exterior. These compartments can be further engineered through the incorporation of (bio)molecules within the lumen or into the membrane, while the membrane can be decorated with functional moieties to produce catalytic compartments with defined structures and functions. Nanometer-sized compartments are used for imaging, theranostic, and therapeutic applications as a more mechanically stable alternative to liposomes, and through the encapsulation of catalytic molecules, i.e., enzymes, catalytic compartments can localize and act in vivo. On the micrometer scale, such biohybrid systems are used to encapsulate model proteins and form multicompartmentalized structures through the combination of multiple compartments, reaching closer to the creation of artificial organelles and cells. Significant progress in therapeutic applications and modeling strategies has been achieved through both the creation of polymers with tailored properties and functionalizations and novel techniques for their assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Heuberger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
| | - Maria Korpidou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
| | - Olivia M. Eggenberger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
| | - Myrto Kyropoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
- NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1095, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (L.H.); (M.K.); (O.M.E.); (M.K.)
- NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1095, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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29
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Prata AS, Nascimento RF, Grosso CR. Designing polymeric interactions towards smart particles. Curr Opin Food Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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30
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Koroleva MY, Plotniece A. Aggregative Stability of Nanoemulsions in eLiposomes: Analysis of the Results of Mathematical Simulation. COLLOID JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1061933x22020065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Shajhutdinova Z, Pashirova T, Masson P. Kinetic Processes in Enzymatic Nanoreactors for In Vivo Detoxification. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040784. [PMID: 35453533 PMCID: PMC9025091 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic nanoreactors are enzyme-encapsulated nanobodies that are capable of performing biosynthetic or catabolic reactions. For this paper, we focused on therapeutic enzyme nanoreactors for the neutralization of toxicants, paying special attention to the inactivation of organophosphorus compounds (OP). Therapeutic enzymes that are capable of detoxifying OPs are known as bioscavengers. The encapsulation of injectable bioscavengers by nanoparticles was first used to prevent fast clearance and the immune response to heterologous enzymes. The aim of enzyme nanoreactors is also to provide a high concentration of the reactive enzyme in stable nanocontainers. Under these conditions, the detoxification reaction takes place inside the compartment, where the enzyme concentration is much higher than in the toxicant diffusing across the nanoreactor membrane. Thus, the determination of the concentration of the encapsulated enzyme is an important issue in nanoreactor biotechnology. The implications of second-order reaction conditions, the nanoreactor’s permeability in terms of substrates, and the reaction products and their possible osmotic, viscosity, and crowding effects are also examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zukhra Shajhutdinova
- Biochemical Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya Str. 18, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Arbuzov Str. 8, 420088 Kazan, Russia;
| | - Tatiana Pashirova
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Arbuzov Str. 8, 420088 Kazan, Russia;
| | - Patrick Masson
- Biochemical Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya Str. 18, 420111 Kazan, Russia;
- Correspondence:
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32
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Hu Y. Controlled evaporation-induced phase separation of droplets containing nanogels and salt molecules. RSC Adv 2022; 12:27977-27986. [PMID: 36320278 PMCID: PMC9523661 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra04585k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Droplets without protection from surfactants or surfactant-like objects normally experience merging or a coalescence process since it is thermodynamically favored. However, division or replication of droplets is thermodynamically unfavored and comparably more difficult to realize. Herein, we demonstrate that a population of droplets that are composed of nanogels and salt spontaneously undergo a separation process under a slow solvent evaporation condition. Each individual droplet underwent changes in size, shape and eventually developed into two domains, which was caused by the screening effect due to the increased salt concentration as a result of solvent evaporation. The two domains gradually separated into nanogel-rich and salt-rich parts. These two parts eventually evolved into nanogel aggregates and branched structures, respectively. This separation was mainly due to the salting out effect and dewetting. Comparison studies indicate that both the nanogels and salt are indispensable ingredients for the phase separation. These discoveries may have profound applications in the fields of biomimetics and offer new routes for self-replication systems. An individual droplet containing nanogels and salts can evolve into gel-rich and salt-rich two separate parts upon evaporation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuandu Hu
- Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
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