Microenvironment with NIR-Controlled ROS and Mechanical Tensions for Manipulating Cell Activities in Wound Healing.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) orchestrates cell behavior and tissue regeneration by modulating biochemical and mechanical signals. Manipulating cell-material interactions is crucial for leveraging biomaterials to regulate cell functions. Yet, integrating multiple cues in a single material remains a challenge. Here, near-infrared (NIR)-controlled multifunctional hydrogel platforms, named PIC/CM@NPs, are introduced to dictate fibroblast behavior during wound healing by tuning the matrix oxidative stress and mechanical tensions. PIC/CM@NPs are prepared through cell adhesion-medicated assembly of collagen-like polyisocyanide (PIC) polymers and cell-membrane-coated conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CM@NPs), which closely mimic the fibrous structure and nonlinear mechanics of ECM. Upon NIR stimulation, PIC/CM@NPs composites enhance fibroblast cell proliferation, migration, cytokine production, and myofibroblast activation, crucial for wound closure. Moreover, they exhibit effective and toxin removal antibacterial properties, reducing inflammation. This multifunctional approach accelerates healing by 95%, highlighting the importance of integrating biochemical and biophysical cues in the biomaterial design for advanced tissue regeneration.

Dual Activation of Calcium Channels Using Near-Infrared Responsive Conjugated Oligomer Nanoparticles for Precise Regulation of Blood Glucose Homeostasis.

The rarity of efficient tools with spatiotemporal resolution and biocompatibility capabilities remains a major challenge for further progress and application of signaling manipulation. Herein, biomimetic conjugated oligomeric nanoparticles (CM-CONs) were developed to precisely modulate blood glucose homeostasis via the two-pronged activation of calcium channels. Under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, CM-CONs efficiently generate local heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby simultaneously activating thermosensitive transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) and ROS-sensitive transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) calcium channels in small intestinal endocrine cells. The activation of the channels mediates inward calcium flow and then promotes glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) secretion. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that CM-CONs effectively regulate glucose homeostasis in diabetic model mice upon NIR light irradiation. This work develops a two-pronged attack strategy for accurately controlling blood glucose homeostasis, holding great prospects in the treatment for diabetes.

NIR-II Regulation of Mitochondrial Potassium Channel with Dual-Targeted Conjugated Oligomer Nanoparticles for Efficient Cancer Theranostics In Vivo.

Cell fate can be efficiently modulated by switching ion channels. However, the precise regulation of ion channels in cells, especially in specific organelles, remains challenging. Herein, biomimetic second near-infrared (NIR-II) responsive conjugated oligomer nanoparticles with dual-targeted properties are designed and prepared to modulate the ion channels of mitochondria to selectively kill malignant cells in vivo. Upon 1060 nm laser irradiation, the mitochondria-located nanoparticles photothermally release a specific ion inhibitor of the potassium channel via a temperature-sensitive liposome, thus altering the redox balance and pathways of mitochondria. NIR-II responsive nanoparticles can effectively regulate the potassium channels of mitochondria and fully suppress tumor growth. This work provides a new modality based on the NIR-II nanoplatform to regulate ion channels in specific organelles and proposes an effective therapeutic mechanism for malignant tumors.

A Stepwise Targeting and Antibacterial Strategy by Leukocyte Membrane-Based Conjugated Oligomer Nanoparticles.

Bacterial infection poses an enormous threat to human life and health. The inability of drugs to be effectively delivered to the site of infection and the development of bacterial resistance make the treatment process more difficult. Herein, a stepwise targeted biomimetic nanoparticle (NPs@M-P) with inflammatory tendency and Gram-negative bacterial targeting was designed, which can achieve efficient antibacterial activity under near-infrared triggering. Leukocyte membranes and targeted molecules (PMB) are used to deliver NPs to the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. The heat and ROS released by NPs@M-P can efficiently kill Gram-negative bacteria under low-power near-infrared light. Thus, this multimodal combination therapy strategy has broad promise in fighting bacterial infection and avoiding drug resistance.

Synthetic fibrous hydrogels as a platform to decipher cell-matrix mechanical interactions.

Cells continuously sense external forces from their microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM). In turn, they generate contractile forces, which stiffen and remodel this matrix. Although this bidirectional mechanical exchange is crucial for many cell functions, it remains poorly understood. Key challenges are that the majority of available matrices for such studies, either natural or synthetic, are difficult to control or lack biological relevance. Here, we use a synthetic, yet highly biomimetic hydrogel based on polyisocyanide (PIC) polymers to investigate the effects of the fibrous architecture and the nonlinear mechanics on cell-matrix interactions. Live-cell rheology was combined with advanced microscopy-based approaches to understand the mechanisms behind cell-induced matrix stiffening and plastic remodeling. We demonstrate how cell-mediated fiber remodeling and the propagation of fiber displacements are modulated by adjusting the biological and mechanical properties of this material. Moreover, we validate the biological relevance of our results by demonstrating that cellular tractions in PIC gels develop analogously to those in the natural ECM. This study highlights the potential of PIC gels to disentangle complex bidirectional cell-matrix interactions and to improve the design of materials for mechanobiology studies.

Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly: An Emerging Tool for Generating Polymer-Based Biohybrid Nanostructures.

The combination of biomolecules and synthetic polymers provides an easy access to utilize advantages from both the synthetic world and nature. This is not only important for the development of novel innovative materials, but also promotes the application of biomolecules in various fields including medicine, catalysis, and water treatment, etc. Due to the rapid progress in synthesis strategies for polymer nanomaterials and deepened understanding of biomolecules' structures and functions, the construction of advanced polymer-based biohybrid nanostructures (PBBNs) becomes prospective and attainable. Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), as an efficient and versatile technique in obtaining polymeric nano-objects at high concentrations, has demonstrated to be an attractive alternative to existing self-assembly procedures. Those advantages induce the focus on the fabrication of PBBNs via the PISA technique. In this review, current preparation strategies are illustrated based on the PISA technique for achieving various PBBNs, including grafting-from and grafting-through methods, as well as encapsulation of biomolecules during and subsequent to the PISA process. Finally, advantages and drawbacks are discussed in the fabrication of PBBNs via the PISA technique and obstacles are identified that need to be overcome to enable commercial application.

A Strategy of On-Demand Immune Activation for Antifungal Treatment Using Near-Infrared Responsive Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles.

Pathogenic fungal infection is a major clinical threat because pathogenic fungi have developed resistant mechanisms to evade the innate immune response, especially interactions with macrophages. Herein, a strategy to activate immune responses of macrophages to fungi based on near-infrared (NIR) responsive conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs-M) is reported for antifungal immunotherapy. Under NIR light irradiation, CPNs-M exposes ß-glucan on the surface of fungal conidia by photothermal damage and drug released from CPNs-M. The exposed ß-glucan elicits macrophage recognition and subsequently activates calcium-calmodulin (Ca2+-CaM) signaling followed by the LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) pathway to kill fungal conidia. Consequently, a remarkable elimination of intracellular fugal conidia and successful treatment of fungal pneumonia are achieved. This remote regulation strategy to restore pathogen-immune cell interaction on demand provides a new insight into combatting intractable intracellular infections.

Alleviating Neuroinflammation through Photothermal Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles by Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species and Ca2+ Signaling.

Neuroinflammation is one of the important manifestations of the amyloid ß peptide (Aß) protein-induced neurotoxic signaling pathway in which the aggregation of Aß causes an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+ concentration. Here, near-infrared (NIR) photothermal-responsive conjugated polymer nanoparticles were designed to regulate ROS and Ca2+ signaling to alleviate neuroinflammation. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, the nanoparticles effectively penetrated the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reduced the aggregation of Aß and partially disaggregated the aggregates outside the cell, thereby reducing ROS content which downregulated the oxidative stress damage to cells. Meanwhile, the nanoparticles reduced the concentration of Ca2+ by inhibiting the transient receptor potential melastatin-related 2 (TRPM2) ion channel inside the cell. Ultimately, the concentration of inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α was decreased. This study provides an effective strategy to reduce neuroinflammation by simultaneously regulating ROS and Ca2+ signaling.

Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Nanoinhibitors for Tumor Suppression through Targeting and Regulating Anion Channels.

The gated state of anion channels is involved in the regulation of proliferation and migration of tumors. Specific regulators are urgently needed for efficacious cancer ablation. For this purpose, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms of interaction between the regulators and anion channels and apply this knowledge to regulate anion channels. Transmembrane 16A (TMEM16A) is the molecular basis of the calcium-activated chloride channels. It is an anion channel activated by Ca2+, and the inhibition of TMEM16A is associated with a decrease in tumorigenesis. Herein, we characterized a natural compound procyanidin (PC) as an efficacious and selective inhibitor of TMEM16A with an IC50 of 10.6 ± 0.6 µM. Our research revealed the precise sites (D383, R535, and E624) of electrostatic interactions between PC and TMEM16A. Near-infrared (NIR)-light-responsive photothermal conjugated polymer nanoparticles encapsulating PC (CPNs-PC) were established to remotely target and regulate the TMEM16A anion channel. Upon NIR irradiation, CPNs-PC downregulated the signaling pathway downstream of TMEM16A and arrested the cell cycle progression of cancer cells and improved the bioavailability of PC. The tumor inhibition ratio of CPNs-PC was superior to PC by 13.4%. Our findings enabled the development of a strategy to accurately and remotely regulate anion channels to promote tumor regression using NIR-light-responsive conjugated polymer nanoparticles containing specific inhibitors of TMEM16A.

Polyisocyanide hydrogels with tunable nonlinear elasticity mediate liver carcinoma cell functional response.

Hepatocellular carcinoma development is closely related to the changes in tissue mechanics induced by excess collagen deposition and crosslinking, which leads to liver fibrosis and malignant progression. The role of matrix stiffness has been widely assessed using various linearly elastic materials. However, the liver, like many soft tissues, also exhibits nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, allowing cells to mechanically interact with their micromilieus which has attracted much attention in cellular processes recently. Here, we use a biomimetic hydrogel grafting of GRGDS peptide with tunable nonlinear mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC), to investigate the influence of strain-stiffening on HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by tuning PIC polymer length. Compared to short PIC polymer with lower critical stress, PIC hydrogels composed of long polymer with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells, and induce more actin stress fibers and higher expression level of mechanotransducer YAP and its nuclear translocation. Strikingly, the expression of calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1, an important biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma, is also affected by the mechanical property of PIC hydrogels. It was also shown that downregulating the KCa3.1 channel can be achieved by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC hydrogels affects the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation, and ultimately influences the liver carcinoma cell functional response. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The effect of nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, is assessed in HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by using a biomimetic hydrogel with tunable mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC). PIC gels with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells and induce upregulated expression levels of KCa3.1 potassium channel and YAP, but which can be suppressed by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC gels influences the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation and, ultimately affects the liver carcinoma cell functional response.

Regulation of Ca2+ for Cancer Cell Apoptosis through Photothermal Conjugated Nanoparticles.

Ca2+ overload is caused by the abnormal accumulation of Ca2+, which is a potential therapeutic strategy for inhibiting tumor growth. However, due to the limited intracellular Ca2+ concentration, its anticancer effect is non-significant. Herein, near-infrared (NIR)-responsive nanoparticles NPs-PCa (DPPC-DSPE-PEG2000-NH2@PDPP@CaO2@DOX) were designed and prepared to achieve photothermal trigger of Ca2+ release, thereby increasing intracellular Ca2+ content. Furthermore, the nanoparticles convert light to heat to activate the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) ion channels, allowing external Ca2+ to flow into the cells, further increasing the Ca2+ concentration. NPs-PCa nanoparticles overcome the limitation of insufficient concentration by increasing Ca2+ in both internal and external approaches. Meanwhile, an imbalance of intracellular Ca2+ induces mitochondrial dysfunction and ultimately results in cancer cell death. This study provides an effective strategy for inhibiting breast cancer tumor growth by regulating Ca2+ concentration.

Remote Manipulation of ROS-Sensitive Calcium Channel Using Near-Infrared-Responsive Conjugated Oligomer Nanoparticles for Enhanced Tumor Therapy In Vivo.

The regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive calcium (Ca2+) channels is of great significance in the treatment of tumors. Here, a simple ROS generation system is developed to activate ROS-sensitive ion channels for enhancing calcium-cascade-mediated tumor cell death under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Upon irradiation with an 808 nm laser, a low-lethality amount of ROS facilitates plasmid transient potential receptor melastatin-2 (pTRPM2) gene release via cleavage of the Se-Se bonds, which contributed to enhancing the expression of TRPM2 in tumor cells. Meanwhile, ROS could potently activate TRPM2 for Ca2+ influx to inhibit early autophagy and to further induce intracellular ROS production, which ultimately led to cell death in TRPM2 expressing tumor cells. Both in vitro and in vivo data show that nanoparticles have an excellent therapeutic effect on cancer upon NIR light. This work presents a simple modality based on NIR light to remotely control the ROS-sensitive ion channel for cancer therapy.

Polymer Nanoparticles Overcome Drug Resistance by a Dual-Targeting Apoptotic Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) activating therapy has received wide attention due to its capacity to precisely induce cancer cell apoptosis. However, drug resistance and the poor pharmacokinetic properties of TRAIL protein are obstacles in TRAIL-based therapy for cancer. Herein, a strategy is developed to remotely control and specifically initiate TRAIL-mediated apoptotic signaling to promote TRAIL-resistant cancer cell apoptosis using near-infrared (NIR) light-absorbing conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs). Upon 808 nm laser excitation, the promoter 70 kilodalton heat shock protein (HSP70) initiates transcription of the TRAIL gene in response to heat shock, thereby expressing TRAIL protein in breast cancer cells, which activates the TRAIL-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway. Simultaneously, the CPNs locally release W-7, which targets calmodulin (CaM) and further promotes caspase-8 cleavage and enhances cancer cell apoptosis. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that CPNs/W-7/pTRAIL produces an excellent synergistic therapeutic effect on breast cancer upon near-infrared light with low toxicity. Therefore, this work provides a strategy for overcoming drug resistance through dual-targeting TRAIL-mediated apoptotic signaling in breast cancer.

Mild-Temperature Photothermal Effect Enhanced by Functional Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles through Enzyme-Mediated Starvation.

Mild-temperature photothermal therapy (PTT) is being extensively explored because it causes less injury to normal cells. However, the effect of mild-temperature PTT is decreased because of heat shock protein (HSP) overexpression. To solve this problem, we designed functional conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs-G) that enhance the mild-temperature photothermal effect. Upon near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, CPNs-G generate local heat to realize the photothermal effect. Meanwhile, the increased temperature enhances the catalytic activity of GOx, thus impeding the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and inhibiting HSP expression. Therefore, this work provides a strategy for overcoming thermoresistance through an enzyme-mediated starvation effect regulated by NIR light.

The Preparation of Biomineralized PIC/HA Hybrid Composites with Strain-Stiffening and the Effect on MC3T3-E1 Cells.

The development of biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM) with fibrous structure and complex nonlinear mechanics has been attracting intensive attention over the past decades both in material science and tissue engineering. Polyisocyanopeptide (PIC) hydrogels are a class of fully synthetic materials that can mimic biogels, such as fibrin and collagen, in nearly all aspects, particularly the micron-sized gel network and the strong strain-stiffening behavior in the biological regime. Here, a biomimetic PIC/hydroxyapatite (HA) hybrid composite through an enzymatic biomineralization strategy is constructed. HA biominerals grew on PIC bundles in situ catalyzed by the embedded alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which further crosslinked the gel networks and reinforced the mechanical property of PIC hydrogels. Significantly, PIC/HA composites exhibited ultra-responsive nonlinear mechanics with higher sensitivity to mechanical stress compared with those without biomineralization. As a consequence, the presence of HA can provide cell adhesion sites for PIC gels and induce osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts by virtue of the changes in mechanical properties. With these outstanding properties, therefore, PIC/HA composites present promising prospects in bone tissue engineering as biomimetic ECM.

Photothermal Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles for Suppressing Breast Tumor Growth by Regulating TRPA1 Ion Channels.

Cancer cells survive by relying on oxidative stress defense against the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during tumor formation. ROS-sensitive TRPA1 ion channels are overexpressed in breast cancer cells and induce a large influx of Ca2+ which upregulates the anti-apoptotic pathway to lead breast cancer cells to produce oxidative stress defense and enhance the resistance to ROS related chemotherapy. Targeting and inhibiting the TRPA1 ion channels are critical for breaking down the oxidative stress defense system and overcoming cellular resistance. Here, near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive conjugated polymer nanoparticles are designed and prepared to promote apoptosis of breast cancer cells, reduce cell drug resistance and suppress tumor growth through the remote and precise regulation of TRPA1 ion channels. Upon 808 nm laser irradiation, the nanoparticles block the formation of Ca2+ /CaM complex and regulate the content of MCL-1 protein. Especially, the nanoparticles overcome drug resistance of cancer cells, therefore accelerating apoptosis of cancer cells and suppressing tumor growth in mice. Compared with carboplatin, the volume of tumor induced by NPs-H decreases by 54.1%. This work provides a strategy to disrupt the oxidative stress defense system and downregulate the antiapoptotic signaling pathway in cancer cells.

Property Regulation of Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes with Polyisocyanide to Achieve Efficient Photodynamic Antibacterial Biomimetic Hydrogels.

Fabricating antibacterial hydrogels with antimicrobial drugs and synthetic biocompatible biomimetic hydrogels is a promising strategy for practical medical applications. Here, we report a bicomponent hydrogel composed of a biomimetic polyisocyanopetide (PIC) hydrogel and a photodynamic antibacterial membrane-intercalating conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE). The aggregation behavior and aggregate size of the COEs in water can be regulated using the PIC hydrogel, which could induce COEs with higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production efficiency and increased association of COEs toward bacteria, therefore enhancing the antibacterial efficiency. This strategy provides a facile method for developing biomimetic hydrogels with high antibacterial capability.

Construction of Highly Ordered Glyco-Inside Nano-Assemblies through RAFT Dispersion Polymerization of Galactose-Decorated Monomer.

Glyco-assemblies derived from amphiphilic sugar-decorated block copolymers (ASBCs) have emerged prominently due to their wide application, for example, in biomedicine and as drug carriers. However, to efficiently construct these glyco-assemblies is still a challenge. Herein, we report an efficient technology for the synthesis of glyco-inside nano-assemblies by utilizing RAFT polymerization of a galactose-decorated methacrylate for polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). Using this approach, a series of highly ordered glyco-inside nano-assemblies containing intermediate morphologies were fabricated by adjusting the length of the hydrophobic glycoblock and the polymerization solids content. A specific morphology of complex vesicles was captured during the PISA process and the formation mechanism is explained by the morphology of its precursor and intermediate. Thus, this method establishes a powerful route to fabricate glyco-assemblies with tunable morphologies and variable sizes, which is significant to enable the large-scale fabrication and wide application of glyco-assemblies.

Inhibition and disaggregation of amyloid ß protein fibrils through conjugated polymer-core thermoresponsive micelles.

Excess aggregation of amyloid ß peptide (Aß) is a fatal cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which leads to physiological toxicity. Inhibiting and disaggregating the Aß aggregates is an effective strategy to reduce physiological toxicity in neuronal cells. Herein, conjugated polymer-based thermoresponsive micelles (CPMs) were designed with an efficient thermoresponsive surface and a reactive-oxygen-species (ROS)-generating core. In this work, the CPMs exhibited a strong capability to capture the toxic Aß aggregates at physiological temperature. Under white-light irradiation, ROS was generated in the CPMs, and the toxic Aß aggregates were efficiently disaggregated through the oxidation of ROS, leading to appropriate Aß homeostasis between aggregation and disaggregation and reduced the Aß-induced cytotoxicity. Therefore, the multifunctional micelles of CPMs with both capturing shells and ROS functional cores present a promising strategy to reduce Aß fibrillation-induced cytotoxicity.

TMEM16A-inhibitor loaded pH-responsive nanoparticles: A novel dual-targeting antitumor therapy for lung adenocarcinoma.

To overcome the adverse effects of conventional chemotherapy for cancers, various nanoparticles based drug delivery systems have been developed. However, nanoparticles delivering drugs directly to kill tumor cells still faced with challenges, because tumors possessed adopt complex mechanism to resist damages, which compromised the therapeutic efficacy. TMEM16A/CaCCs (Calcium activates chloride channels) has been identified to be overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma which can serve as a novel tumor specific drug target in our previous work. Here, we developed a novel dual-targeted antitumor strategy via designing a novel nano-assembled, pH-sensitive drug-delivery system loading with specific inhibitors of TMEM16A against lung adenocarcinoma. For validation, we assayed the novel dual-targeting therapy on xenograft mouse model which exhibited significant antitumor activity and not affect mouse body weight. The dual targeting therapy accomplished in this study will shed light on the development of advanced antitumor strategy.