posted on 2021-09-13, 14:06authored byAdriana
Maria Ender, Kübra Kaygisiz, Hans-Joachim Räder, Franz J. Mayer, Christopher V. Synatschke, Tanja Weil
Gradients of bioactive
molecules play a crucial role in various
biological processes like vascularization, tissue regeneration, or
cell migration. To study these complex biological systems, it is necessary
to control the concentration of bioactive molecules on their substrates.
Here, we created a photochemical strategy to generate gradients using
amyloid-like fibrils as scaffolds functionalized with a model epitope,
that is, the integrin-binding peptide RGD, to modulate cell adhesion.
The self-assembling β-sheet forming peptide (CKFKFQF) was connected
to the RGD epitope via a photosensitive nitrobenzyl linker and assembled
into photoresponsive nanofibrils. The fibrils were spray-coated on
glass substrates and macroscopic gradients were generated by UV-light
over a centimeter-scale. We confirmed the gradient formation using
matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy imaging
(MALDI-MSI), which directly visualizes the molecular species on the
surface. The RGD gradient was used to instruct cells. In consequence,
A549 adapted their adhesion properties in dependence of the RGD-epitope
density.