Surfactant Semiconductors as Trojan Horses in Cell-Membranes for On-Demand and Spatial Regulation of Oxidative Stress

verfasst von

Marian Jaschke, Masina Plenge, Marius Kunkel, Tina Lehrich, Julia Schmidt, Kilian Stöckemann, Dag Heinemann, Stephan Siroky, Anaclet Ngezahayo, Sebastian Polarz

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a cause for numerous diseases and aging processes. Thus, researchers are keen to tune the level of intracellular stress and to learn from that. An unusual approach is presented here. The methodology involves multifunctional surfactants. Although their molecular design is nonbiological—a fullerenol head group attached covalently to pi-conjugated dyes—the surfactants possess superior biocompatibility. Using an intrinsic fluorescence signal as a probe, it is shown that the amphiphiles become incorporated into the Caco-2 cells. There, they are able to exhibit additional functions. The compound reduces cellular stress in dark reaction pathways. The antagonistic property is activated under irradiation, the photocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in cell damage. The feature is activated even by near-infrared light (NIR-light) via a two-photon process. The properties as molecular semiconductors lead to a trojan horse situation and allows the programming of the spatial distribution of cytotoxicity.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Anorganische Chemie
Institut für Gartenbauliche Produktionssysteme
PhoenixD: Simulation, Fabrikation und Anwendung optischer Systeme
Abteilung Zellphysiologie und Biophysik

Externe Organisation(en)

Universität Konstanz

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Advanced healthcare materials

Band

12

Anzahl der Seiten

9

ISSN

2192-2640

Publikationsdatum

17.04.2023

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Biomaterialien, Biomedizintechnik, Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202202290 (Zugang: Offen)