Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jan Pille, Antonio Aloi, Duc H. T. Le, Ilia Vialshin, Nathalie van de Laar, Kirsten Kevenaar, Maarten Merkx, Ilja K. Voets, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: This study introduces a novel pathway-dependent assembly method based on stimulus-responsive polymers, which can form monodisperse and stable polymeric particles under specific heating conditions. This method shows high efficiency in encapsulating cargo, such as fluorescent proteins and bioluminescent enzymes, and maintaining their function within cells.
Article
Polymer Science
Michele Dai, Evangelos Georgilis, Guillaume Goudounet, Bertrand Garbay, Jan Pille, Jan C. M. van Hest, Xavier Schultze, Elisabeth Garanger, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: This study reports the design and study of an ELP diblock library based on ELP-[M1V3-i]-[I-j], which showed a thermal phase transition with three distinct regimes by selectively oxidizing methionines of ELP-[M1V3-i] within the different diblocks structures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vusala Ibrahimova, Hang Zhao, Emmanuel Ibarboure, Elisabeth Garanger, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: A new class of hybrid lipoprotein mimics was designed using chemical post-modification reactions, allowing the formation of biomimetic vesicles with controlled permeability, correlated to the temperature-responsiveness of ELPs.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Irene C. Jenkins, Joshua J. Milligan, Ashutosh Chilkoti
Summary: Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are thermally responsive biopolymers that can be harnessed to produce stimuli-responsive biomaterials, such as nanoparticles or injectable drug delivery depots. ELPs can be loaded with drugs to create controlled, intelligent drug delivery systems. ELPs are biodegradable, nonimmunogenic, and tolerant of therapeutic additives.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shengtao Yao, Yue Liao, Rizhao Pan, Weiping Zhu, Yufang Xu, Yangyang Yang, Xuhong Qian
Summary: In this study, a hybrid microsystem combining DNA and peptides was developed. The microsystem demonstrated liquid-liquid phase separation to generate microdroplets and showed the ability to trap and react with guest molecules, providing potential applications in biomaterials inspired by life.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue Wu, Yanqiong Yang, Yan Zhang, Liwei Dai, Wenhao Dong, Huibin He, Hao Li, Zhihong Nie, Yutao Sang
Summary: This study demonstrates a photo-induced self-assembly process of binary nanoparticles with complementary copolymer ligands, leading to the formation of high-yield clusters or linear structures of colloidal molecules. By varying the irradiation duration and mixing order, precise control of different structures can be achieved, offering various applications.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Manon Leveque, Ye Xiao, Laura Durand, Louise Masse, Elisabeth Garanger, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: This study focuses on the design and synthesis of bioactive and thermo-responsive bioconjugates, which can self-assemble into nanoparticles with different properties. By conducting a comprehensive physico-chemical study, the researchers identified the factors influencing the properties of these nanoparticles and proposed a versatile and simple design for creating bioactive nanoparticles.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingqu Chen, Shuaijun Pan, Jiajing Zhou, Zhixing Lin, Yijiao Qu, Agata Glab, Yiyuan Han, Joseph J. Richardson, Frank Caruso
Summary: This study presents a metal-phenolic assembly approach for the easy assembly of diverse functional nanoparticles in water, while preserving their intrinsic activity. These nanoparticles can be applied in fields such as biomedicine and catalysis, showing great potential for various applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elisabeth Garanger, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: Nature serves as an everlasting source of inspiration for chemical and polymer scientists in their pursuit of developing innovative materials with improved performance. This review focuses on the natural structural proteins, particularly those characterized by repeat peptide sequences, which have been extensively studied for the design of biomimetic materials. Elastin and its main repeat sequences have been the subject of intense research for over 50 years, leading to the field of elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs). ELPs are currently widely investigated in various applications, including protein purification, tissue engineering, and drug delivery, with some technologies based on ELPs being explored by start-up companies. The review summarizes pioneering contributions on ELPs, progress in their genetic engineering, and understanding of their thermal behavior and self-assembly properties. Additionally, the review highlights the opportunities that remain unexplored in the conjugation of ELPs with other synthetic macromolecules as covalent hybrids, statistical, graft, or block copolymers.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Hayden Tobin, Evelina Liarou, Ji-Inn Song, Alexandros Magiakos, Paul Wilson
Summary: Polymeric arsenicals are a promising platform for functional and active materials in polymer and (bio)materials science, with the ability to form nanoparticles of different morphologies and stabilities by adjusting the composition. The diverse reactivity of organic arsenicals can be exploited to develop functionalized nanoparticles with potential therapeutic applications.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Epole Ntungwe, Eva Maria Dominguez-Martin, Gabrielle Bangay, Catarina Garcia, Iris Guerreiro, Eleonora Colombo, Lucilia Saraiva, Ana Maria Diaz-Lanza, Andreia Rosatella, Marta M. Alves, Catarina Pinto Reis, Daniele Passarella, Patricia Rijo
Summary: Different approaches to enhance drug penetration through physiological barriers, such as self-assembly drug conjugates, have shown to be promising in improving drug activity and penetration, and reducing side effects. In this study, three molecules derived from natural products were synthesized as lead molecules for self-assembled nanoparticles, which demonstrated lower cytotoxicity compared to their individual form when tested on different cell lines. The nanoparticles showed potential as prodrugs for the release of cytotoxic lead molecules based on their size, zeta potential, and low release of drug at physiological pH.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jolinde van Strien, Oscar Escalona-Rayo, Wim Jiskoot, Bram Slutter, Alexander Kros
Summary: ELP-based nanomaterials, particularly micelles assembled from amphiphilic ELP diblock copolymers, show great potential as drug delivery systems due to their biodegradability and the ability to control particle design. The cargo can be shielded inside the micelle core or reside in the corona through site-specific attachment to the hydrophobic or hydrophilic block of the ELP. Various types of cargo, including protein, peptide, and small molecule drugs, can be loaded onto or entrapped inside the micelles.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Garion E. J. Hicks, Sheng Li, Nimrat K. Obhi, Charles N. Jarrett-Wilkins, Dwight S. Seferos
Summary: π-Conjugated polymers have unique properties that depend on their ordering, with programming techniques such as covalent and solution programming playing a key role in controlling their assembly. Progress in programming at different stages of material development highlights order-dependent features and unique assembly techniques for pi-conjugated polymers.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hang Zhao, Emmanuel Ibarboure, Vusala Ibrahimova, Ye Xiao, Elisabeth Garanger, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: This research focuses on the rational design and synthesis of thermoresponsive hybrid polypeptide-polymer conjugates, which are used in combination with an artificial cytoplasm system to study the spatial organization and temperature-responsive dynamic assembly of artificial organelle structures within cell-mimicking entities.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lubinda Mbundi, Miguel Gonzalez-Perez, Fernando Gonzalez-Perez, Diana Juanes-Gusano, Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello
Summary: Porous biomaterials are crucial for biomedical applications, enabling nutrient diffusion, waste removal, and the development of complex structures. Tailoring the physicochemical characteristics of biomaterials is necessary for optimal customized applications. Elastin-like polypeptides play an increasing role in developing porous biomaterials for various tissue applications.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Krishna N. Ganesh, Marc Hillmyer, David Kaplan, Sebastien Lecommandoux, Jodie L. Lutkenhaus, Stuart Rowan, Kirk Schanze, Shu Wang, Deqing Zhang
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pablo G. Argudo, Lea Spitzer, Francois Jerome, Henri Cramail, Luis Camacho, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: Sugar-based amphiphiles are a natural alternative to synthetic ones with biodegradable properties. An investigation of their structure-assembly relationship was conducted using various techniques in aqueous media. The results showed that the average degree of polymerization (DP) and the addition of a hydroxyl group to the hydrophobic tail affected their self-assembly. The critical micelle concentration was more influenced by changes in the hydrophobic molecular region than by variations in (DP) over bar. Amphiphiles with high (DP) over bar formed spherical micelles regardless of the presence of a hydroxyl group, while those with low (DP) over bar and only one hydrophilic moiety formed cylindrical micelles, and the addition of a hydroxyl group to the tail resulted in a spherical shape.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huaiyou Chen, Ali Emre Celik, Angela Mutschler, Antoine Combes, Anne Runser, Andrey S. Klymchenko, Sebastien Lecommandoux, Christophe A. Serra, Andreas Reisch
Summary: Nanoprecipitation is a facile and efficient method for assembling loaded polymer nanoparticles in bioimaging and targeted drug delivery applications. Microfluidics is an attractive technique for reproducible and scalable synthesis. The study compares different types of microfluidic mixers in terms of nanoparticle formation and properties, and provides guidance for choosing the optimal microfluidic setup for producing nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mostafa Badreldin, Rosanna Le Scouarnec, Sebastien Lecommandoux, Simon Harrisson, Colin Bonduelle
Summary: We have discovered that synthetic polymers composed of L-proline monomer units exhibit unique temperature-driven aggregation behavior in water. This behavior, resembling that of proteins, is robust and dependent on the chirality of the proline units. This finding opens up new possibilities for processes driven by changes in temperature or ionic strength, such as the development of a simple memory thermometer.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul Klemm, Jana Solomun, Marko Rodewald, Maren T. Kuchenbrod, Veit G. Hansch, Friederike Richter, Juergen Popp, Christian Hertweck, Stephanie Hoeppener, Colin Bonduelle, Sebastien Lecommandoux, Anja Traeger, Stephanie Schubert
Summary: This study investigates the potential of amphiphilic and potentially biodegradable polypeptides for gene delivery. By studying the influence of different proportions of aliphatic and cationic side chains on the physicochemical properties of the polypeptides, the researchers were able to identify the best performer for transfection efficiency. Detailed studies of the transfection mechanism revealed the strong interaction of the identified polypeptide with cell membranes, promoting efficient cell uptake and release. The study demonstrates the great potential of polypeptides for gene delivery.
Article
Polymer Science
Esra Aydinlioglu, Mona Abdelghani, Gaelle Le Fer, Jan C. M. van Hest, Olivier Sandre, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: Two pairs of oppositely charged PEO-b-poly(amino acid) copolymers were synthesized and self-assembled into stable polyion complexes (PICsomes) with high potential as biocompatible nanocarriers for RNA interference. These PICsomes exhibited good stability even in high salinity media due to hydrophobic interactions between the phenylalanine residues. They successfully loaded small interfering RNA (siRNA) and showed minimal cell cytotoxicity while demonstrating superior gene silencing efficacy compared to free siRNA and a standard lipofectamine-siRNA complex.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Clemence Schvartzman, Hang Zhao, Emmanuel Ibarboure, Vusala Ibrahimova, Elisabeth Garanger, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: In response to osmotic stress, cells release excess water to avoid bursting and death. By encapsulating functional elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) biomacromolecular conjugates into lipid vesicles using a microfluidic system, researchers mimic the formation of membraneless organelles induced by water expulsion. The local concentration increase and decrease in cloud point temperature (T-cp) of ELP bioconjugates due to hypertonic shock lead to the formation of coacervates, which mimic cellular stress-induced organelle assemblies. This dynamic response to osmotic stress can increase the local concentration and accelerate the enzymatic reaction.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anouk Martin, Pierre Lalanne, Amelie Weber-Vax, Angela Mutschler, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: The self-assembly of PEG-b-PTMC copolymers into vesicles, also known as polymersomes, was evaluated using microfluidic systems. Two microfluidic chips with different flow regimes were used to investigate the impact of process conditions on vesicle formation. A solvent exchange approach was developed to allow direct use of the polymersomes in biological evaluation. The size of the polymersomes was influenced by the total flow rate and copolymer concentration, but not by the organic/aqueous solvent ratio.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chloe Grazon, Elisabeth Garanger, Pierre Lalanne, Emmanuel Ibarboure, James E. Galagan, Mark W. Grinstaff, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: Polymeric micelles based on natural diblocks, such as elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) and oligonucleotide (ON), have advantageous properties in terms of molecular recognition, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. This study reports a straightforward synthesis of ON-b-ELP diblock bioconjugates through copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The resulting micelles self-assemble above their critical micelle temperature (CMT) to form stable structures, and they retain their stability and temperature sensitivity when binding with proteins.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Manon Leveque, Ye Xiao, Laura Durand, Louise Masse, Elisabeth Garanger, Sebastien Lecommandoux
Summary: This study focuses on the design and synthesis of bioactive and thermo-responsive bioconjugates, which can self-assemble into nanoparticles with different properties. By conducting a comprehensive physico-chemical study, the researchers identified the factors influencing the properties of these nanoparticles and proposed a versatile and simple design for creating bioactive nanoparticles.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chloe Grazon, Margaret Chern, Patrick Lally, R. C. Baer, Andy Fan, Sebastien Lecommandoux, Catherine Klapperich, Allison M. Dennis, James E. Galagan, Mark W. Grinstaff
Summary: This study systematically compared the effects of organic and inorganic dyes in biosensors, as well as the impact of the position of FRET donors or acceptors on biomolecular components on sensor performance. By examining different biosensor configurations through experimental and computational approaches, researchers identified key molecular parameters influencing sensor performance and provided design guidelines for future intermolecular biosensors based on FRET.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Meriem Er-Rafik, Khalid Ferji, Jerome Combet, Olivier Sandre, Sebastien Lecommandoux, Marc Schmutz, Jean-Francois Le Meins, Carlos M. Marques
Summary: Recently, there has been increasing concern about the health risks associated with nanotechnologies, as it has been discovered that nanoparticles can reach the interior of cells and potentially disrupt cell membranes. This study reveals that small nanoparticles can tear lipid membranes, providing insight into the mechanisms by which nanoparticles can compromise membrane integrity.
