title: Remote Patterning of Transgene Expression Using Near Infrared-Responsive Plasmonic Hydrogels.
abstract: The development of noninvasive technologies for remote control of gene expression has received increased attention for their therapeutic potential in clinical scenarios, including cancer, neurological disorders, immunology, tissue engineering, as well as developmental biology research. Near-infrared (NIR) light is a suitable source of energy that can be employed to pattern transgene expression in plasmonic cell constructs. Gold nanoparticles tailored to exhibit a plasmon surface band absorption peaking at NIR wavelengths within the so called tissue optical window (TOW) can be used as fillers in fibrin-based hydrogels. These biocompatible composites can be loaded with cells harboring heat-inducible gene switches. NIR laser irradiation of the resulting plasmonic cell constructs causes the local conversion of NIR photon energy into heat, achieving spatially restricted patterns of transgene expression that faithfully match the illuminated areas of the hydrogels. In combination with cells genetically engineered to harbor gene switches activated by heat and dependent on a small-molecule regulator (SMR), NIR-responsive hydrogels allow reliable and safe control of the spatiotemporal availability of therapeutic biomolecules in target tissues.
authors.affiliation: CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029, Madrid, Spain.|Edificio de Investigación, Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martín-Saavedra
authors.affiliation: CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029, Madrid, Spain. nuria.vilaboa@salud.madrid.org.|Edificio de Investigación, Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain. nuria.vilaboa@salud.madrid.org.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vilaboa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation; D005337:Fibrin / Q000737:chemistry*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000528:radiation effects; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D007259:Infrared Rays; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D019076:Transgenes / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D006046:Gold; D005337:Fibrin
keywords: Biomaterial; Gene therapy; Gold; Hydrogel; Infrared; Nanoparticle; Plasmon; Scaffold; Spatiotemporal; Transgene