Reversible Tuning of Multiple Molecular Kinking for Stem Cell Regulation In Vivo
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT In the native extracellular matrix, collagen fibrils regulate stem cell fate and tissue regeneration by modulating the number of serial kinks via intramolecular kinking and unkinking, which affects integrin ligation. However, biomimetic materials composed solely of multi‐kink‐bearing molecules for dynamic regulation of ligand exposure remain limited. In this study, we designed materials composed solely of liganded multiple kink‐bearing molecules with a tunable number of kink points (mono‐kink, tri‐kink, and penta‐kink molecules), including flexible linkers and densely packed via intermolecular interactions, are designed. Near‐infrared‐upconverted ultraviolet light and visible light induce multiple kinking and unkinking of liganded multiple kink‐bearing molecules conjugated to upconversion nanoparticle‐coated materials, inducing kinked and unkinked states, respectively. Tri‐kinking and unkinking mediate the effective regulation of ligand masking and exposure, respectively, by modulating intermolecular interactions, while mono‐kink and penta‐kink molecules continuously expose the ligands regardless of their kinking/unkinking state. Tri‐unkinking cyclically stimulates integrin ligation and focal adhesion‐mediated stem cell mechanotransduction and differentiation in vivo, which are inhibited by tri‐kinking. This study presents a newly developed reversibly switchable multi‐kink molecule‐conjugated surface for dynamic regulation of ligand exposure and stem cell responses, providing a useful modality for regulating cell–material interactions and stem cell fate in vivo.
Source: Advanced Functional Materials
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.77914
Authors: Kanghyeon Kim, Jeongah Shin, Chowon Kim, Honghwan Choi, Dahee Kim, Sungkyu Lee, Choongmo Kang, Hyunsik Hong, Taehoon Ha, Nayeon Kang, Jungyeon Rhi, Ramar Thangam, Yuri Kim, Jeongyun Heo, Cheol Hwan Kwak, Jangsun Hwang, Daun Jeong, Rasoul Moradi, Sunghoon Hur, Hyun‐Cheol Song, Hyun‐Do Jung, Min Jae Lee, Rongqin Huang, Pooyan Makvandi, Yun Suk Huh, Ji Hye Choi, Wenguo Cui, Sehoon Kim, Heemin Kang
Institutions: Korea University, Korean Association Of Science and Technology Studies, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Ewha Womans University, Inha University, Korea University Anam Hospital, Khazar University, University of California, Los Angeles, Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, Seoul National University, Hyundai Motors (South Korea), Zhengzhou University, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Chitkara University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ruijin Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
Awards: G1195035139, G3751440883
OpenAlex ID: W7212852015