Name: patterning bioactive proteins or peptides on hydrogel using photochemistry for biological applications
Uploaded: 2017-09-15T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications at JoVE.com

This study was mainly supported by grants from the American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant (12SDG12050083 to G.D.), the National Institutes of Health (R21HL102773, R01HL118245 to G.D.) and the National Science Foundation (CBET-1263455 and CBET-1350240 to G.D.).

1. Preparation of Materials for Hydrogel Synthesis
<ol>
	<li>Prepare stock solutions of PEGDA, lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), and fibronectin under sterile conditions and based on calculations (Table 1A).
	<ol>
		<li>Weigh out and dissolve compounds in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Typically, maintain PEGDA working solution concentrations between 50 and 200 mg/mL (5-20% weight/volume). Pipette the PEGDA solution through a 0.22-&#181;m syringe filter for sterilization. 
...

<ol>
	<li>Yao, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Co-effects+of+matrix+low+elasticity+and+aligned+topography+on+stem+cell+neurogenic+differentiation+and+rapid+neurite+outgrowth.">Co-effects of matrix low elasticity and aligned topography on stem cell neurogenic differentiation and rapid neurite outgrowth.</a> Nanoscale. 8 (19), 10252-10265 (2016).</li><li>Evans, N. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Substrate+stiffness+affects+early+differentiation+events+in+embryonic+stem+cells.">Substrate stiffness affects early differentiation events in embryonic stem cells.</a> Eur Cells Mater. 18, 1-13 (2009).</li><li>Ye, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Matrix+Stiffness+and+Nanoscale+Spatial+Organization+of+Cell-Adhesive+Ligands+Direct+Stem+Cell+Fate.">Matrix Stiffness and Nanoscale Spatial Organization of Cell-Adhesive Ligands Direct Stem Cell Fate.</a> Nano Lett. 15 (7), 4720-4729 (2015).</li><li>Discher, D. E., Janmey, P., Wang, Y. 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S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decorin+moieties+tethered+into+PEG+networks+induce+chondrogenesis+of+human+mesenchymal+stem+cells.">Decorin moieties tethered into PEG networks induce chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells.</a> J Biomed Mater Res A. 90 (2), 456-464 (2009).</li><li>Joddar, B., Guy, A. T., Kamiguchi, H., Ito, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+gradients+of+chemotropic+factors+from+immobilized+patterns+to+guide+axonal+growth+and+regeneration.">Spatial gradients of chemotropic factors from immobilized patterns to guide axonal growth and regeneration.</a> Biomaterials. 34 (37), 9593-9601 (2013).</li><li>Wylie, R. G., Ahsan, S., Aizawa, Y., Maxwell, K. L., Morshead, C. M., Shoichet, M. 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A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthetic+biomaterials+as+instructive+extracellular+microenvironments+for+morphogenesis+in+tissue+engineering.">Synthetic biomaterials as instructive extracellular microenvironments for morphogenesis in tissue engineering.</a> Nat Biotechnol. 23 (1), 47-55 (2005).</li><li>Saik, J. E., Gould, D. J., Keswani, A. H., Dickinson, M. E., West, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomimetic+hydrogels+with+immobilized+ephrinA1+for+therapeutic+angiogenesis.">Biomimetic hydrogels with immobilized ephrinA1 for therapeutic angiogenesis.</a> Biomacromolecules. 12 (7), 2715-2722 (2011).</li><li>McCall, J. D., Anseth, K. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thiol-ene+photopolymerizations+provide+a+facile+method+to+encapsulate+proteins+and+maintain+their+bioactivity.">Thiol-ene photopolymerizations provide a facile method to encapsulate proteins and maintain their bioactivity.</a> Biomacromolecules. 13 (8), 2410-2417 (2012).</li><li>Fairbanks, B. D., Schwartz, M. P., Bowman, C. N., Anseth, K. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Photoinitiated+polymerization+of+PEG-diacrylate+with+lithium+phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate:+polymerization+rate+and+cytocompatibility.">Photoinitiated polymerization of PEG-diacrylate with lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate: polymerization rate and cytocompatibility.</a> Biomaterials. 29 (6), 997-1003 (2009).</li><li>Zuidema, J. M., Rivet, C. J., Gilbert, R. J., Morrison, F. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+protocol+for+rheological+characterization+of+hydrogels+for+tissue+engineering+strategies.">A protocol for rheological characterization of hydrogels for tissue engineering strategies.</a> J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 102 (5), 1063-1073 (2014).</li><li>Truat's Reagent Instructions. Thermo Scientific Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/.../MAN0011238_Trauts_Reag_UG.pdf">https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/.../MAN0011238_Trauts_Reag_UG.pdf</a> (2017)</li><li>Ellman's Reagent Instructions. Thermo Scientific Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/MAN0011216_Ellmans_Reag_UG.pdf">https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/MAN0011216_Ellmans_Reag_UG.pdf</a> (2017)</li><li>Desalting Columns. 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This protocol provides a method for creating bioactive protein patterns for biological applications. There are several modifications that can be made to adapt this protocol for different experiments. First, cell attachment requirements will vary for different cell types. If poor cell attachment to the gels is initially observed, increasing the concentration of the ECM protein within the precursor solution is advised. Other ECM proteins can be used instead of fibronectin, including different types of collagen, laminin, or...

There are many stimuli that influence cell behavior. Generally, typical cell culturing techniques rely on soluble factors to elicit cellular responses; however, there are limitations to this approach. These methods are unable to accurately display all signaling motifs commonly found in vivo. Such signaling mechanisms include sequestered growth factors, cell-cell signaling, and spatially-specific biochemical cues.Furthermore, substrate stiffness can play an important role in cell behavior and stem cell differentiation and is not easily manipulated using common cell culturing practices1,2. Biomaterial approaches offer a new platform to begin exploring these signaling mechanisms. In particular, hydrogels are excellent candidates for tuning substrate stiffness3,4, immobilizing proteins and peptides5,6, and creating spatially specific patterns7,8.
Hydrogels are commonly used as scaffolds in tissue engineering due to their biophysical and biochemical commonalities with the extracellular matrix (ECM)9,10. Natural polymers are common choices for scaffolds, as they are biocompatible and are found in many tissues of the body. The limitation of using natural polymers as substrates is that they lack easily manipulated chemical moieties for bioconjugation. On the other hand, synthetic hydrogels, as such as PEG, are excellent platforms for targeted chemistries11,12. Additionally, PEG hydrogels do not elicit a cellular response and therefore are used as inert backbones for creating bioactive scaffolds.
To create bioactive hydrogels, both photopolymerization and thiol-ene click chemistry reactions are employed. These photoreactions require a photoinitiator and a UV light source. When photoinitiators are introduced to UV light, bonds break to form radicals. Theses radicals are necessary for initiating the reaction but can negatively affect protein bioactivity12,13. Therefore, it is crucial to optimize photoinitiator and UV exposure times to maintain protein bioactivity.
In this method, hydrogels are synthesized through acrylate-acrylate chain growth photopolymerization. PEG-diacrylate (PEGDA) monomers react with each other to form branched polymer networks responsible for the structure of the hydrogel. The concentration of PEGDA monomers within the gel precursor solution will control the substrate stiffness. Due to the small pore size of the hydrogel, ECM proteins such as fibronectin can be easily incorporated within the hydrogel for the purpose of cell attachment. Finally, these hydrogels can be surface-patterned with bioactive peptides or proteins via thiol-ene click chemistry reactions. Here, unreacted free acrylates within the hydrogel system will react with free thiols located on the protein or peptide when exposed to UV light. After the proteins or peptides are immobilized on the hydrogel surface, the hydrogel can be stored at 4 &#176;C for several weeks without losing bioactivity. This offers convenience, flexible experimental planning, and the possibility for collaboration between labs. Overall, this platform allows for biomechanical and spatial biochemical control, independent of each other, for the opportunity to influence cellular behavior.

<table width="1237">
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	<tbody>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">PEG-diacrylate (PEGDA)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Laysan Bio</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">ACRL-PEG-ACRL-3400</td>
			<td style="width:665px;">Can also be synthesized or purchased through other venders. Different molecular weights can be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="width:237px;height:60px;">Lithium Phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;"></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;">Synthesized in lab</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Fibronectin</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">356008</td>
			<td style="width:665px;">Other cell attachment proteins can be used, such as laminin, matrigel</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">D8537-500ML</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Photomask</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">FineLine Imaging</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">n/a</td>
			<td style="width:665px;">Custom prints on transparent sheets with high resolution DPI.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Binder Clips</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Various Vendors</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="52">
			<td height="52" style="width:237px;height:52px;">Compact UV Light Source (365nm)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">UVP</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">UVP-21</td>
			<td style="width:665px;">Other UV light sources can be used, calibration of power is required.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="57">
			<td height="57" style="width:237px;height:57px;">2-iminothiolane (Pierce Traut&#8217;s Reagent)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Thermo Sci.</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">26101</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="82">
			<td height="82" style="width:237px;height:82px;">Ellman&#8217;s Reagent: DTNB; 5,5-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Thermo Sci.</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">22582</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="52">
			<td height="52" style="width:237px;height:52px;">human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Lonza</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;">passage number between 6- 10</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="52">
			<td height="52" style="width:237px;height:52px;">EGM-2 Media</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Lonza</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">CC31-56, CC-3162</td>
			<td style="width:665px;">EGM-2 without growth factors was used in experiments. Full EGM-2 media was used for cell maintainance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">0.25% Trypsin EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Life Tech</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">25200-056</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Trypsin Neutralizer</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Life Tech</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">R-002-100</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Centrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Various Venders</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Hemocytometer</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Hausser Sci. Bright-line</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="51">
			<td height="51" style="width:237px;height:51px;">Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">E6758</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">0.22&#181;m filter</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Cell Treat</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">229743</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">1mL Syringe</td>
			<td style="width:112px;"></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Glass Microscope Slides</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Fisher Sci.</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">12-550C</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Plastic spacers</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Various Venders</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;">0.5mm thickness</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">70% Ethanol</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">BICCA</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">2546.70-1</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Bio-shield</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Bio-shield</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">19-150-0010</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Bradford Reagent&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">BIO-RAD</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Desalting Resin - Sephadex G-25</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">GE Healthcare</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">95016-754</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">Microspin Columns</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">Thermo Sci.</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">PI69725</td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="width:237px;height:35px;">AR-G2 rehometer</td>
			<td style="width:112px;">TA Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
			<td style="width:665px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

patterning bioactive proteins or peptides on hydrogel using photochemistry for biological applications

There are many biological stimuli that can influence cell behavior and stem cell differentiation. General cell culture approaches rely on soluble factors within the medium to control cell behavior. However, soluble additions cannot mimic certain signaling motifs, such as matrix-bound growth factors, cell-cell signaling, and spatial biochemical cues, which are common influences on cells. Furthermore, biophysical properties of the matrix, such as substrate stiffness, play important roles in cell fate, which is not easily manipulated using conventional cell culturing practices. In this method, we describe a straightforward protocol to provide patterned bioactive proteins on synthetic polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels using photochemistry. This platform allows for the independent control of substrate stiffness and spatial biochemical cues. These hydrogels can achieve a large range of physiologically relevant stiffness values. Additionally, the surfaces of these hydrogels can be photopatterned with bioactive peptides or proteins via thiol-ene click chemistry reactions. These methods have been optimized to retain protein function after surface immobilization. This is a versatile protocol that can be applied to any protein or peptide of interest to create a variety of patterns. Finally, cells seeded onto the surfaces of these bioactive hydrogels can be monitored over time as they respond to spatially specific signals.

The protocol to create bioactive patterns on the surface of PEG hydrogels is illustrated in Figure 1. A spreadsheet was developed to calculate the volume and concentration for each stock solution (Table 1A). Proteins to be immobilized onto the surface of the hydrogel are modified with 2-iminothiolane (Figure 1B). This reaction is performed using the volumes from Table 1B. The pre...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications at JoVE.com

Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications

In this method, we use photopolymerization and click chemistry techniques to create protein or peptide patterns on the surface of polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels, providing immobilized bioactive signals for the study of cellular responses in vitro.

There are many biological stimuli that can influence cell behavior and stem cell differentiation. General cell culture approaches rely on soluble factors ...

The overall goal of this methodology is to create immobilized bioactive spatial protein patterns which be used to study cellular responses. This method allows the recapitulating in-vivo signals using biomaterial strategies. This technique allows for accurate mimicry of certain signaling motives that cannot be achieved using standard culturing methods such as, sequential growth factors, cells cells signaling and spatial specific biochemical cues.This protocol is significant to existing methods as it provides a simplistic method for adjusting substrate stiffness and protein patterning. While this method can further tissue engineering and regenerative medicine technologies, it can also be applied to study other systems such as, tissue development and stem cell fate. To begin, prepare stock solutions for the major hydrogel component, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, the photo initiator, lithium phenyl-2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate and the ECM protein, fibronectin, under sterile conditions as described in the accompanying text protocol.Filter sterilize each solution using a 0.22 micron syringe filter prior to using or storing the individual aliquots. Then, wrap the PEG-DA solution with foil to protect it from light. Wrap the photo initiator stock solution in foil to protect it from light and store the prepared solution at four degree celsius for up to several months.If fibronectin stock solution is frozen, allow sterile aliquot to thaw on ice for several hours or in four degree celsius overnight. Start by autoclaving one polyester sheet for each gel mold. Then, soak two glass slides in three plastic spacers for each gel mold in 70%ethanol for at least two hours.Additionally, soak five binder clips for each gel mold in 70%ethanol for 10 minutes. Place the glass slides, spacers and binder clips onto a small autoclave sheet in the cell culture hood to allow them to air dry for several hours. Next, prepare the hydrogel molds by placing the 0.5 millimeter thick plastic spacers around the edge of a glass slide.Place the second glass slide on top and then secure the spacers tightly next to each other with binder clips. Finally, surface sterilize the mold by placing it in the hood and turning on the UV light for 30 minutes prior to use. Halfway through the sterilization process, flip the mold to be suer to expose both surfaces.Create the gel precursor solutions as described in table one of the accompanying text protocol. Then, mix together the PEG-DA, fibronectin and photo initiator volumes to create the hydrogel. Pipette the solution vigorously to ensure a homogenous solution, but avoid creating bubbles.Pipette the gel precursor solution carefully between the two glass slides of the gel mold. Then, place the mold under a Uv light and expose it for one to two minutes to form the hydrogel. Once gelled, take off the binder clips and gently remove the top glass slide by applying opposite pressure to the two side spacers.Then, using appropriately sized biopsy punch to cut out the hydrogel samples. Punch out multiple hydrogels from the gel rectangle to serve as replicates and control samples. Sterilize the photo mask by soaking it in 70%ethanol for 10 minutes.Then, allow the photo mask to air dry in a cell culture hood. Next, pipette one to two microliters per centimeter square of a thiolated protein solution to the surface of each cut out hydrogel for surface patterning. It is important to spread the protein solution across the surface of the hydrogel evenly to ensure uniform protein immobilization.Carefully place the photo mask on the surface of the hydrogel. Gently press down on the mask to remove any bubbles that form between the mask and the hydrogel surface. Next, place the hydrogel under the UV light and expose it to a second round of UV light for 30 to 60 seconds.Wash the hydrogels with PBS to remove any unreacted species and place each hydrogel within the well plate so that the pattern surface is faced up. Then, wash the gels overnight in PBS at four degrees celsius. Remove PBS from wells, then, add 250 microliters of basal EGM2 into each well and incubate the gels for five to 10 minutes at 37 degree celsius.During incubation, trypsin digest a plate of near-confluent HUVECs into a single cell suspension using standard techniques. Then, spin down the cell suspension and carefully remove the supernatant. Re-suspend the cell pellet and basal EGM2 with no added growth factors and add some of the cell suspension to a hemocytometer.Count the cells to determine the concentration. Next, spin down the plate containing he hydrogels at 300 x G for three minutes, to ensure that the hydrogels are located at the bottom of the well and are not floating. It is critical that hydrogels are not floating within the wells.Floating hydrogels will limit success in cell seeding and cause problems with hydrogel imaging. Slowly pipette 75, 000 cells per centimeters squared onto the center of each hydrogel surface so as to not disturb the gels. Then, place the plate into a cell culture incubator at 37 degrees celsius.For several days, periodically remove the dish to observe the cell migration in response to the protein pattern. Exchange 50%of the media every two to three days. When forming the hydrogels, various precursor PEG-diacrylate concentrations can be used to yield the desired substrate stiffness.Shown here, 20%PEG-DA solution correlates with the stiffness of over 100 kilopascals. It is also important to consider both photo initiator concentration and UV exposure time as an increase in either variable will decrease the bioactivity of attached molecules, represented here by the bioactivity of lysosome. Minimizing the UV exposure during hydrogel formation is critical to maintaining free acrylate functional groups for subsequent protein immobilization reactions.Hydrogels exposed to UV light for longer than two minutes are unable to create immobilized protein patterns shown in red. Additionally, as the UV exposure to the protein pattern increases, more proteins react to the surface. When prepared correctly, cells can be cultured onto these patterned hydrogel substrates to manipulate their behavior.Here, endothelial cells were uniformly seeded onto the surface of VEGF pattern PEG hydrogels. Two days after seeding, the endothelial cells were observed to migrate towards the spatial regions of the hydrogel that contained the immobilized VEGF. Following the development of this protocol, researchers can use it to immobilize any protein or peptide in order to explore new bioactive platforms for in-vitro cell systems.While attempting this procedure, it is important to remember to minimize photo initiator concentration and UV exposure time to maintain bio activity of immobilized molecules. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to pattern bioactive proteins and peptides onto PEG hydrogels, seed cells uniformly onto hydrogels and observe the consequent cell response.

patterning-bioactive-proteins-or-peptides-on-hydrogel-using

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Cell Patterning on Photolithographically Defined 
Parylene-C: SiO2 Substrates

Cell patterning platforms support broad research goals, such as construction of predefined in vitro neuronal networks and the exploration of certain central aspects of cellular physiology. To easily combine cell patterning with Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) and silicon-based &#8216;lab on a chip&#8217; technologies, a microfabrication-compatible protocol is required. We describe a method that utilizes deposition of the polymer parylene-C on SiO2&#160;wafers. Photolithography enables accurate and reliable patterning of parylene-C at micron-level resolution. Subsequent activation by immersion in fetal bovine serum (or another specific activation solution) results in a substrate in which cultured cells adhere to, or are repulsed by, parylene or SiO2 regions respectively. This technique has allowed patterning of a broad range of cell types (including primary murine hippocampal cells, HEK 293 cell line, human neuron-like teratocarcinoma cell line, primary murine cerebellar granule cells, and primary human glioma-derived stem-like cells). Interestingly, however, the platform is not universal; reflecting the importance of cell-specific adhesion molecules. This cell patterning process is cost effective, reliable, and importantly can be incorporated into standard microfabrication (chip manufacturing) protocols, paving the way for integration of microelectronic technology.

Cell Patterning on Photolithographically Defined 
Parylene-C: SiO2 Substrates

This protocol describes a microfabrication-compatible method for cell patterning on SiO2. A predefined parylene-C design is photolithographically printed on SiO2 wafers. Following incubation with serum (or other activation solution) cells adhere specifically to (and grow according to the conformity of) underlying parylene-C, whilst being repulsed by SiO2 regions.

Cell patterning platforms support broad research goals, such as construction of predefined in vitro neuronal networks and the exploration of certain ...

In situ TEM of Biological Assemblies in Liquid

Researchers regularly use Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs) to examine biological entities and to assess new materials. Here, we describe an additional application for these instruments- viewing viral assemblies in a liquid environment. This exciting and novel method of visualizing biological structures utilizes a recently developed microfluidic-based specimen holder. Our video article demonstrates how to assemble and use a microfluidic holder to image liquid specimens within a TEM. In particular, we use simian rotavirus double-layered particles (DLPs) as our model system. We also describe steps to coat the surface of the liquid chamber with affinity biofilms that tether DLPs to the viewing window. This permits us to image assemblies in a manner that is suitable for 3D structure determination. Thus, we present a first glimpse of subviral particles in a native liquid environment.

In situ TEM of Biological Assemblies in Liquid

Here we describe a procedure to image viral complexes in liquid at nanometer resolution using a transmission electron microscope.

Researchers regularly use Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs) to examine biological entities and to assess new materials. Here, we describe an ...

Hydrogel Nanoparticle Harvesting of Plasma or Urine for Detecting Low Abundance Proteins

Novel biomarker discovery plays a crucial role in providing more sensitive and specific disease detection. Unfortunately many low-abundance biomarkers that exist in biological fluids cannot be easily detected with mass spectrometry or immunoassays because they are present in very low concentration, are labile, and are often masked by high-abundance proteins such as albumin or immunoglobulin. Bait containing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAm) based nanoparticles are able to overcome these physiological barriers. In one step they are able to capture, concentrate and preserve biomarkers from body fluids. Low-molecular weight analytes enter the core of the nanoparticle and are captured by different organic chemical dyes, which act as high affinity protein baits. The nanoparticles are able to concentrate the proteins of interest by several orders of magnitude. This concentration factor is sufficient to increase the protein level such that the proteins are within the detection limit of current mass spectrometers, western blotting, and immunoassays. Nanoparticles can be incubated with a plethora of biological fluids and they are able to greatly enrich the concentration of low-molecular weight proteins and peptides while excluding albumin and other high-molecular weight proteins. Our data show that a 10,000 fold amplification in the concentration of a particular analyte can be achieved, enabling mass spectrometry and immunoassays to detect previously undetectable biomarkers.

Several pathological biomarkers cannot be easily detected by current techniques because of their low concentration in biological fluids, the presence of degrading enzymes, and large amounts of high molecular weight proteins. Chemically functionalized hydrogel nanoparticles can harvest, preserve and concentrate low abundance proteins enabling the detection of previously undetectable biomarkers.

Novel biomarker discovery plays a crucial role in providing more sensitive and specific disease detection. Unfortunately many low-abundance biomarkers ...

Delivery of Proteins, Peptides or Cell-impermeable Small Molecules into Live Cells by Incubation with the Endosomolytic Reagent dfTAT

Macromolecular delivery strategies typically utilize the endocytic pathway as a route of cellular entry. However, endosomal entrapment severely limits the efficiency with which macromolecules penetrate the cytosolic space of cells. Recently, we have circumvented this problem by identifying the reagent dfTAT, a disulfide bond dimer of the peptide TAT labeled with the fluorophore tetramethylrhodamine. We have generated a fluorescently labeled dimer of the prototypical cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) TAT, dfTAT, which penetrates live cells and reaches the cytosolic space of cells with a particularly high efficiency. Cytosolic delivery of dfTAT is achieved in multiple cell lines, including primary cells. Moreover, delivery does not noticeably impact cell viability, proliferation or gene expression. dfTAT can deliver small molecules, peptides, antibodies, biologically active enzymes and a transcription factor. In this report, we describe the protocols involved in dfTAT synthesis and cellular delivery. The manuscript describes how to control the amount of protein delivered to the cytosolic space of cells by varying the amount of protein administered extracellularly. Finally, the current limitations of this new technology and steps involved in validating delivery are discussed. The described protocols should be extremely useful for cell-based assays as well as for the ex vivo manipulation and reprogramming of cells.

We describe how to deliver proteins and cell-impermeable small molecules into cultured mammalian cells by a simple co-incubation protocol with a reagent that causes endocytic organelles to become leaky.

Macromolecular delivery strategies typically utilize the endocytic pathway as a route of cellular entry. However, endosomal entrapment severely limits the ...

Fabrication of Mechanically Tunable and Bioactive Metal Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Biometal systems have been widely used for biomedical applications, in particular, as load-bearing materials. However, major challenges are high stiffness and low bioactivity of metals. In this study, we have developed a new method towards fabricating a new type of bioactive and mechanically reliable porous metal scaffolds-densified porous Ti scaffolds. The method consists of two fabrication processes, 1) the fabrication of porous Ti scaffolds by dynamic freeze casting, and 2) coating and densification of the porous scaffolds. The dynamic freeze casting method to fabricate porous Ti scaffolds allowed the densification of porous scaffolds by minimizing the chemical contamination and structural defects. The densification process is distinctive for three reasons. First, the densification process is simple, because it requires a control of only one parameter (degree of densification). Second, it is effective, as it achieves mechanical enhancement and sustainable release of biomolecules from porous scaffolds. Third, it has broad applications, as it is also applicable to the fabrication of functionally graded porous scaffolds by spatially varied strain during densification.

Bioactive and mechanically reliable metal scaffolds have been fabricated through a method which consists of two processes, dynamic freeze casting for the fabrication of porous Ti, and coating and densification of the Ti scaffolds. The densification process is simple, effective and applicable to the fabrication of functionally graded scaffolds.

Biometal systems have been widely used for biomedical applications, in particular, as load-bearing materials. However, major challenges are high stiffness ...

Light-mediated Formation and Patterning of Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications

Click chemistries have been investigated for use in numerous biomaterials applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cell culture. In particular, light-mediated click reactions, such as photoinitiated thiol&#8722;ene and thiol&#8722;yne reactions, afford spatiotemporal control over material properties and allow the design of systems with a high degree of user-directed property control. Fabrication and modification of hydrogel-based biomaterials using the precision afforded by light and the versatility offered by these thiol&#8722;X photoclick chemistries are of growing interest, particularly for the culture of cells within well-defined, biomimetic microenvironments. Here, we describe methods for the photoencapsulation of cells and subsequent photopatterning of biochemical cues within hydrogel matrices using versatile and modular building blocks polymerized by a thiol&#8722;ene photoclick reaction. Specifically, an approach is presented for constructing hydrogels from allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc)-functionalized peptide crosslinks and pendant peptide moieties and thiol-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) that rapidly polymerize in the presence of lithium acylphosphinate photoinitiator and cytocompatible doses of long wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light. Facile techniques to visualize photopatterning and quantify the concentration of peptides added are described. Additionally, methods are established for encapsulating cells, specifically human mesenchymal stem cells, and determining their viability and activity. While the formation and initial patterning of thiol-alloc hydrogels are shown here, these techniques broadly may be applied to a number of other light and radical-initiated material systems (e.g., thiol-norbornene, thiol-acrylate) to generate patterned substrates.

We describe a sequential process for light-mediated formation and subsequent biochemical patterning of synthetic hydrogel matrices for three-dimensional cell culture applications. The construction and modification of hydrogels with cytocompatible photoclick chemistry is demonstrated. Additionally, facile techniques to quantify and observe patterns and determine cell viability within these hydrogels are presented.

Click chemistries have been investigated for use in numerous biomaterials applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cell culture. In ...

A Versatile Method of Patterning Proteins and Cells

Substrate and cell patterning techniques are widely used in cell biology to study cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate interactions. Conventional patterning techniques work well only with simple shapes, small areas and selected bio-materials. This article describes a method to distribute cell suspensions as well as substrate solutions into complex, long, closed (dead-end) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels using negative pressure. This method enables researchers to pattern multiple substrates including fibronectin, collagen, antibodies (Sal-1), poly-D-lysine (PDL), and laminin. Patterning of substrates allows one to indirectly pattern a variety of cells. We have tested C2C12 myoblasts, the PC12 neuronal cell line, embryonic rat cortical neurons, and amphibian retinal neurons. In addition, we demonstrate that this technique can directly pattern fibroblasts in microfluidic channels via brief application of a low vacuum on cell suspensions. The low vacuum does not significantly decrease cell viability as shown by cell viability assays. Modifications are discussed for application of the method to different cell and substrate types. This technique allows researchers to pattern cells and proteins in specific patterns without the need for exotic materials or equipment and can be done in any laboratory with a vacuum.

This report describes a simple, easy to perform technique, using low pressure vacuum, to fill microfluidic channels with cells and substrates for biological research.

Substrate and cell patterning techniques are widely used in cell biology to study cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate interactions. Conventional patterning ...

Rapid, Scalable Assembly and Loading of Bioactive Proteins and Immunostimulants into Diverse Synthetic Nanocarriers Via Flash Nanoprecipitation

Nanomaterials present a wide range of options to customize the controlled delivery of single and combined molecular payloads for therapeutic and imaging applications. This increased specificity can have significant clinical implications, including decreased side effects and lower dosages with higher potency. Furthermore, the in situ targeting and controlled modulation of specific cell subsets can enhance in vitro and in vivo investigations of basic biological phenomena and probe cell function. Unfortunately, the required expertise in nanoscale science, chemistry and engineering often prohibit laboratories without experience in these fields from fabricating and customizing nanomaterials as tools for their investigations or vehicles for their therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide protocols for the synthesis and scalable assembly of a versatile non-toxic block copolymer system amenable to the facile formation and loading of nanoscale vehicles for biomedical applications. Flash nanoprecipitation is presented as a methodology for rapid fabrication of diverse nanocarriers from poly(ethylene glycol)-bl-poly(propylene sulfide) copolymers. These protocols will allow laboratories with a wide range of expertise and resources to easily and reproducibly fabricate advanced nanocarrier delivery systems for their applications. The design and construction of an automated instrument that employs a high-speed syringe pump to facilitate the flash nanoprecipitation process and to allow enhanced control over the homogeneity, size, morphology and loading of polymersome nanocarriers is described.

Nanomaterials provide versatile mechanisms of controlled therapeutic delivery for both basic science and translational applications, but their fabrication often requires expertise that is unavailable in most biomedical laboratories. Here, we present protocols for the scalable fabrication and therapeutic loading of diverse self-assembled nanocarriers using flash nanoprecipitation.

Nanomaterials present a wide range of options to customize the controlled delivery of single and combined molecular payloads for therapeutic and imaging ...

Preparation and Characterization of Nanoliposomes for the Entrapment of Bioactive Hydrophilic Globular Proteins

Liposome nanocapsules have been applied for many purposes in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Attributes of liposomes include their biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-immunogenicity, non-toxicity, and ability to entrap both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds. The classical hydration of thin lipid films in an organic solvent is applied herein as a technique to encapsulate tarin, a plant lectin, in nanoliposomes. Nanoliposome size, stability, entrapment efficiency, and morphological characterization are described in detail. The nanoliposomes are prepared using 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (ammonium salt; DSPE-MPEG 2000), and cholesterylhemisuccinate (CHEMS) as the main constituents. Lipids are first dissolved in chloroform to obtain a thin lipid film that is subsequently rehydrated in ammonium sulfate solution containing the protein to be entrapped and incubated overnight. Then, sonication and extrusion techniques are applied to generate nanosized unilamellar vesicles. The size and polydispersity index of the nanovesicles are determined by dynamic light scattering, while nanovesicle morphology is assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Entrapment efficiency is determined by the ratio of the amount of unencapsulated protein to original amount of initially loaded protein. Homogeneous liposomes are obtained with an average size of 155 nm and polydispersity index value of 0.168. A high entrapment efficiency of 83% is achieved.

This study describes classical hydration using the thin lipid film method for nanoliposome preparation followed by nanoparticle characterization. A 47 kDa-hydrophilic and globular protein, tarin, is successfully encapsulated as a strategy to improve stability, avoid fast clearance, and promote controlled release. The method can be adapted to hydrophobic molecules encapsulation.

Liposome nanocapsules have been applied for many purposes in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Attributes of liposomes include their ...

Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications

Over the past decade, fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have witnessed growing popularity in biological applications and enormous efforts have been devoted to their development. In this protocol, a recently developed, facile method for preparation of water soluble, biocompatible, and colloidally stable near-infrared emitting AuNCs have been described in detail. This room-temperature, bottom-up chemical synthesis provides easily functionalizable AuNCs capped with thioctic acid and thiol-modified polyethylene glycol in aqueous solution. The synthetic approach requires neither organic solvents or additional ligand exchange nor extensive knowledge of synthetic chemistry to reproduce. The resulting AuNCs offer free surface carboxylic acids, which can be functionalized with various biological molecules bearing a free amine group without adversely affecting the photoluminescent properties of the AuNCs. A quick, reliable procedure for flow cytometric quantification and confocal microscopic imaging of AuNC uptake by HeLa cells also been described. Due to the large Stokes shift, proper setting of filters in flow cytometry and confocal microscopy is necessary for efficient detection of near-infrared photoluminescence of AuNCs.

A reliable and easily reproducible method for preparation of functionalizable, near-infrared emitting photoluminescent gold nanoclusters and their direct detection inside HeLa cells by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy is described.

Over the past decade, fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have witnessed growing popularity in biological applications and enormous efforts have been ...