Remodeling of Cellular Surfaces via Fast Disulfide–Thiol Exchange To Regulate Cell Behaviors
- Lianghua HeLianghua HeShanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, ChinaMore by Lianghua He,
- Huaiji WangHuaiji WangShanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, ChinaMore by Huaiji Wang,
- Yi HanYi HanShanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, ChinaMore by Yi Han,
- Kun WangKun WangSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, ChinaMore by Kun Wang,
- Haiqing DongHaiqing DongShanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, ChinaMore by Haiqing Dong,
- Yan LiYan LiShanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, ChinaMore by Yan Li,
- Donglu ShiDonglu ShiThe Materials Science & Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, College of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, United StatesMore by Donglu Shi, and
- Yongyong Li*Yongyong Li*E-mail: [email protected]Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, ChinaMore by Yongyong Li
Abstract
Remodeling of cellular surfaces is shown highly effective in the manipulation and control of cell behaviors via nonbiological means. By 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoate-mediated, fast, and reversible disulfide–thiol exchange, a sequential layer by layer assembly process was developed to grow albumin protein shells on cellular surfaces fixed by a disulfide-linked network, in a cytocompatible manner. The artificial shells, accomplished by a double-assembly process, were sustainable up to >1 day, and thereafter gradually bioabsorbed with unaffected cell viability. The surface engineering process enabled dynamic remodeling of cellular surfaces that effectively controlled cell behaviors including regulated cell proliferation, enhanced uptake efficiency of dextran–fluorescein isothiocyanate that is known for cell-impermeability, and targeted imaging. This unique approach was well-validated on tumor cells (B16), immune cells (DC2.4), and neutrophils, showing its potential universality for most of the cells that are rich in thiols. The new strategy will show promise in cell manipulation and targeted imaging.