A Versatile Dynamic Mussel-Inspired Biointerface: From Specific Cell Behavior Modulation to Selective Cell Isolation.

ABSTRACT

Reported here is a novel dynamic biointerface based on reversible catechol-boronate chemistry. Biomimetically designed peptides with a catechol-containing sequence and a cell-binding sequence at each end were initially obtained. The mussel-inspired peptides were then reversibly bound to a phenylboronic acid (PBA) containing polymer-grafted substrate through sugar-responsive catechol-boronate interactions. The resultant biointerface is thus capable of dynamic presentation of the bioactivity (i.e. the cell-binding sequence) by virtue of changing sugar concentrations in the system (similar to human glycemic volatility). In addition, the sugar-responsive biointerface enables not only dynamic modulation of stem cell adhesion behaviors but also selective isolation of tumor cells. Considering the highly biomimetic nature and biological stimuli-responsiveness, this mussel-inspired dynamic biointerface holds great promise in both fundamental cell biology research and advanced medical applications.