A photo-degradable supramolecular hydrogel for selective delivery of microRNA into 3D-cultured cells

Org Biomol Chem. 2017 Mar 8;15(10):2191-2198. doi: 10.1039/c6ob02667b.

Abstract

Multi-functional supramolecular hydrogels have emerged as smart biomaterials for diverse biomedical applications. Here we report a multi-functional supramolecular hydrogel formed by the conjugate of the bioactive GRGDS peptide with biaryltetrazole that is the substrate of photo-click reaction. The hydrogel was used as a biocompatible matrix to encapsulate live cells for 3D culture. The presence of the RGD epitope in the hydrogelator enhanced the interaction of the nanofiber with integrin over-expressing cells, which resulted in the selective enhancement in the miRNA delivery into the encapsulated U87 cells. The intramolecular photo-click reaction of the biaryltetrazole moiety in the hydrogelator leads to a sensitive photo-response of the hydrogel, which allowed photo-degradation of the hydrogel for release of the encapsulated live cells for further bio-assay of the intracellular species.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / chemical synthesis
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / chemistry*
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / pharmacology
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemical synthesis
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / pharmacology
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Solid-Phase Synthesis Techniques
  • Tetrazoles / chemistry
  • Tetrazoles / pharmacology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • MicroRNAs
  • Oligopeptides
  • Tetrazoles
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
  • glycyl-arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine