Prof. Shuhei Furukawa - Universidad de Kyoto

Cuándo

Información de contacto

Nombre de contacto

Ana De La Osa

Correo electrónico

ana.delaosa@icn.cat

Gaseous molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) are recently known to be signaling molecules (gasotransmitters) working both for intercellular communications and intracellular regulations. In particular, NO is one of the most investigated gasotransmitters, having important roles in numerous signaling events as well as therapeutic potentials. However, the design of functional scaffolds or devices that can release NO with precisely controlled timing, dosage and location remains challenging, due to handling issues that arise from their high reactivity and physical state.

Here we show a synthetic strategy for developing spatiotemporally controllable NO-releasing platforms based on photoactive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By organizing molecules with poor reactivity into framework structures of MOFs, we observe increased photoreactivity and adjustable release using light irradiation. We further embed photoactive MOF crystals in a biocompatible matrix, leading to a functional cell culture substrate, and demonstrate precisely controlled NO delivery at the cellular level via localized two photon laser activation. The biological relevance of the exogenous NO produced by this strategy is evidenced by an intracellular change in calcium concentration, mediated by NO-responsive plasma membrane channel proteins. We further shape photoactive MOF crystals at the mesoscale by coordination modulation and confirm its delivery inside cell and NO stimulation at the subcellular resolution.