Unveiling the Power of Cloaking Metal-Organic Framework Platforms via Supramolecular Antibody Conjugation.

Targeted drug delivery systems based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have progressed tremendously since inception and are now widely applicable in diverse scientific fields. However, translating MOF agents directly to targeted drug delivery systems remains a challenge due to the biomolecular corona phenomenon. Here, we observed that supramolecular conjugation of antibodies to the surface of MOF particles (MOF-808) via electrostatic interactions and coordination bonding can reduce protein adhesion in biological environments and show stealth shields.

Intra-Lysosomal Peptide Assembly for the High Selectivity Index against Cancer.

Lysosomes remain powerful organelles and important targets for cancer therapy because cancer cell proliferation is greatly dependent on effective lysosomal function. Recent studies have shown that lysosomal membrane permeabilization induces cell death and is an effective way to treat cancer by bypassing the classical caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. However, most lysosome-targeted anticancer drugs have very low selectivity for cancer cells.

Direct measurements of the colloidal Debye force.

Colloids often behave in a manner similar to their counterparts in molecular space and are used as model systems to understand molecular behavior. Here, we study like-charged colloidal attractions between a permanent dipole on an interfacial particle and its induced dipole on a water-immersed particle caused by diffuse layer polarization. We find that the scaling behavior of the measured dipole-induced dipole (D‒I) interaction via optical laser tweezers is in good agreement with that predicted from the molecular Debye interaction.

Protein-Precoated Surface of Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles have recently emerged as a promising vehicle for drug delivery with high porosity and feasibility. However, employing a MOF-based drug delivery system remains a challenge due to the difficulty in controlling interfaces of particles in a biological environment. In this paper, protein corona-blocked Zr -based MOF (PCN-224) nanoparticles are presented for targeted cancer therapy with high efficiency.

Stimuli-Responsive Adaptive Nanotoxin to Directly Penetrate the Cellular Membrane by Molecular Folding and Unfolding.

Biological nanomachines, including proteins and nucleic acids whose function is activated by conformational changes, are involved in every biological process, in which their dynamic and responsive behaviors are controlled by supramolecular recognition. The development of artificial nanomachines that mimic the biological functions for potential application as therapeutics is emerging; however, it is still limited to the lower hierarchical level of the molecular components. In this work, we report a synthetic machinery nanostructure in which actuatable molecular components are integrated into a hierarchical nanomaterial in response to external stimuli to regulate biological functions.

Substrate-independent three-dimensional polymer nanosheets induced by solution casting.

Nanosheets are important structures usually composed of inorganic materials, such as metals, metal oxides, and carbon. Their creation typically involves hydrothermal, electrochemical or microwave processes. In this study, we report a novel formation mechanism of 3D polymer nanosheets facile solution casting using a comb copolymer consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) behenyl ether methacrylate and poly(oxyethylene) methacrylate (PEGBEM-POEM).

Intramitochondrial Disulfide Polymerization Controls Cancer Cell Fate.

Recent advances in supramolecular chemistry research have led to the development of artificial chemical systems that can form self-assembled structures that imitate proteins involved in the regulation of cellular function. However, intracellular polymerization systems that operate inside living cells have been seldom reported. In this study, we developed an intramitochondrial polymerization-induced self-assembly system for regulating the cellular fate of cancer cells.

Dynamic multimodal holograms of conjugated organogels via dithering mask lithography.

Polymeric materials have been used to realize optical systems that, through periodic variations of their structural or optical properties, interact with light-generating holographic signals. Complex holographic systems can also be dynamically controlled through exposure to external stimuli, yet they usually contain only a single type of holographic mode. Here, we report a conjugated organogel that reversibly displays three modes of holograms in a single architecture.

Stable perovskite solar cells with efficiency exceeding 24.8% and 0.3-V voltage loss.

Further improvement and stabilization of perovskite solar cell (PSC) performance are essential to achieve the commercial viability of next-generation photovoltaics. Considering the benefits of fluorination to conjugated materials for energy levels, hydrophobicity, and noncovalent interactions, two fluorinated isomeric analogs of the well-known hole-transporting material (HTM) Spiro-OMeTAD are developed and used as HTMs in PSCs. The structure-property relationship induced by constitutional isomerism is investigated through experimental, atomistic, and theoretical analyses, and the fabricated PSCs feature high efficiency up to 24.

Heterochiral Assembly of Amphiphilic Peptides Inside the Mitochondria for Supramolecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Self-assembly of peptides containing both l- and d-isomers often results in nanostructures with enhanced properties compared to their enantiomeric analogues, such as faster kinetics of formation, higher mechanical strength, and enzymatic stability. However, occurrence and consequences of the heterochiral assembly in the cellular microenvironment are unknown. In this study, we monitored heterochiral assembly of amphiphilic peptides inside the cell, specifically mitochondria of cancer cells, resulting in nanostructures with refined morphological and biological properties owing to the superior interaction between the backbones of opposite chirality.

Cloaking nanoparticles with protein corona shield for targeted drug delivery.

Targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles can minimize the side effects of conventional pharmaceutical agents and enhance their efficacy. However, translating nanoparticle-based agents into clinical applications still remains a challenge due to the difficulty in regulating interactions on the interfaces between nanoparticles and biological systems. Here, we present a targeting strategy for nanoparticles incorporated with a supramolecularly pre-coated recombinant fusion protein in which HER2-binding affibody combines with glutathione-S-transferase.

Mitochondria localization induced self-assembly of peptide amphiphiles for cellular dysfunction.

Achieving spatiotemporal control of molecular self-assembly associated with actuation of biological functions inside living cells remains a challenge owing to the complexity of the cellular environments and the lack of characterization tools. We present, for the first time, the organelle-localized self-assembly of a peptide amphiphile as a powerful strategy for controlling cellular fate. A phenylalanine dipeptide (FF) with a mitochondria-targeting moiety, triphenyl phosphonium (Mito-FF), preferentially accumulates inside mitochondria and reaches the critical aggregation concentration to form a fibrous nanostructure, which is monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.