Cell Surface-based Hydrophobic Insertion Service

The surface of cells can be functionalized with targeting groups by using synthetic lipids or alkyl chains. The interaction is driven by the hydrophobic effect, where these groups intercalate between phospholipids in the cell membrane, thereby anchoring the attached group. This is the most common strategy for polymers, carbohydrates, and proteins alike. After years of inputting a lot of resources into cell surface engineering research, Creative Biolabs has grown into a reliable cell membrane conjugation services provider. Our advanced technology platform and rich experience are the assurance for the quality of our cell surface-based hydrophobic insertion services.

Introduction of Cell Surface-based Hydrophobic Insertion

Hydrophobic interactions are frequently exploited for cell surface engineering, as therapeutic molecules containing lipid tails and cholesterol anchors can easily insert into the cell membrane. Hydrophobic insertion is also considered less harmful to cells compared to covalent modification as the potential for cross-linking and irreversible loss of protein function is prevented. The type of lipid chain is an important consideration, with long and saturated lipid chains increasing the likelihood of establishing a relatively stable molecule attachment on cell membranes. While hydrophobic regions can be genetically or non-genetically incorporated into target substrates, covalent attachment of lipids is the most common strategy for polymers, carbohydrates, and proteins alike.

Methods and Applications

• Polymers

Hydrophobic insertion can be used to attach polymers to the cell surface. Bioactive hyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs) decorated with vasculature binding peptides (VBP) were conjugated with octadecyl chains and incubated with MSCS, generating a surface coating suitable for targeted delivery to the vascular endothelium. The bioactive polymer coating significantly enhanced the cellular affinity for the vascular endothelial adhesion molecule (VCAM), a protein that is overexpressed in inflamed blood vessels.

Fig.1 Stem cell modification via hydrophobic insertion of modified HPG. (Abbina, 2018)

• Glycans

Glycans are considered as one of the most important components of stem cells as they are essential in signaling between the cell and the external environment. In embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation, modulation is mainly controlled by signaling molecules such as fibroblast growth factors 2 (FGF2), Wnt, Notch, and other lineage-specific and stage-specific embryonic antigens (Lewis X/SSEA-1, SSEA3-4). Like proteins, glycans can be engineered using different techniques to direct cell behavior. Through hydrophobic insertion, the installation of synthetic lipid anchored neoproteoglycans (neoPGs) on the surface of mouse ESCs resulted in an enhanced affinity to FGF2. ESC differentiation was subsequently directed towards a neural phenotype following neoPG surface modification.

• Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Homing

To improve MSC homing, researchers have used a MAL PEG-DMPE phospholipid to incorporate a lipid anchor into a recombinant version of the protein CXCR4 (rCXCR4). rCXCR4 is a chemokine receptor found on stem cells in vivo that specifically binds to stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), a protein released by myocardial tissue to recruit MSCs. The receptor is lost, however, when MSCs are subjected to in vitro cell expansion as is often done in stem cell-based therapies. In as little as 10 minutes of incubating expanded MSCs with rCXCR4-PEG-DMPE, the cells exhibited a recovered response to SDF-1 with a 2 fold enhanced migration toward an SDF-1 gradient surface. In a subsequent study, the homing of rCXCR4 enriched MSC’s were tested in vivo, in which an enhanced homing and retention of the MSC’s were observed compared to the control up to 3 days post-injection in a rat model.

Services at Creative Biolabs

Committed to cell membrane engineering research over years, Creative Biolabs has established advanced technology platform and we are confident in offering high-quality relevant services to global clients. With the comprehensive platform and an excellent specialist team, we have accomplished hundreds of customer-satisfied projects.

• Extensive research background to provide reliable application suggestions
• Comprehensive project experience to ensure the quality of the services
• Preferential price and excellent after-sale services

With rich experience and mature technologies, Creative Biolabs aspires to bring our high-quality cell surface engineering services to every customer. If you are interested in cell surface-based hydrophobic insertion services or you have any other questions about our services, please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.

Reference

1. Abbina, S.; et al. Surface engineering for cell-based therapies: Techniques for manipulating mammalian cell surfaces. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2018, 4(11): 3658-3677.