title: Enzyme-responsive multifunctional surfaces for controlled uptake/release of (bio)molecules.
abstract: The current trend in the development of biomaterials is towards bioactive and biodegradable systems. In particular, enzyme-responsive structures are useful tools to realize biodegradable surfaces for the controlled delivery of biomolecules/drugs through a triggered surface erosion process. Up to now, enzyme-responsive structures have been designed by covalent linkage between synthetic polymers and biodegradable functionalities that are responsive to chemical and biological cues (i.e. proteases or pH) [1-4]. Here, we present a novel approach to achieve enzyme-responsive surface-attached networks by exploiting the non-covalent interaction between streptavidin and biotin. The functional component of this three-dimensional (3D) structure is a layer of biotinylated peptides that are degraded by the action of specific proteases. The system was stable under typical physiological conditions; however, it was efficiently degraded upon enzyme exposure. Further, the controlled release of biomolecules and drugs--previously entrapped into the surface-attached network--was demonstrated to occur as a consequence of the enzymatic cleavage. This versatile approach does not require complex chemical procedures. Interestingly, it can be easily adapted to different enzyme-peptide partners and therefore is very attractive for tissue replacement, drug delivery and biosensing.
authors.affiliation: University of Salento, Superior School ISUFI, Arnesano, I-73100 Lecce, Italy; CNR-Institute of Nanoscience, NNL-Lecce, via Arnesano, I-73100 Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mortato
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Filarete, viale Ortles 22/4, 20139 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Argentiere
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies - Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: De Gregorio
authors.affiliation: University of Salento, Superior School ISUFI, Arnesano, I-73100 Lecce, Italy; CNR-Institute of Nanoscience, NNL-Lecce, via Arnesano, I-73100 Lecce, Italy; Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies - Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gigli
authors.affiliation: CNR-Institute of Nanoscience, NNL-Lecce, via Arnesano, I-73100 Lecce, Italy. Electronic address: laura.blasi@nano.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blasi
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001710:Biotin / Q000737:chemistry; D064251:Multifunctional Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry*; D019809:Streptavidin / Q000737:chemistry; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D064251:Multifunctional Enzymes; D001710:Biotin; D019809:Streptavidin
keywords: Biotinylated depolymerized chitosan; Cathepsin D; Drug/biomolecules delivery; Enzyme-responsive surfaces; Streptavidin–biotin interaction; Tissue engineering