Enzyme‐Responsive Nanoparticle Systems

Inorganic nanoparticles and their accompanying diverse physical properties are now virtually in routine use as imaging tools in cell‐biology. In addition to serving as excellent contrast agents, their size‐ and environment‐dependent optical and magnetic properties can be harnessed to create enzyme biosensor devices of extremely high sensitivity, whilst circumventing the numerous technical limitations associated with traditional enzyme assays. In this Research News article we discuss recent advances in field of enzyme‐responsive nanoparticle systems, where the activity of an enzyme elicits a specific response in the nanoparticle assembly to produce a signal relating to enzyme activity, focusing on three important systems: DNA‐structured nanoparticles, protein kinases and proteases.     

A Versatile Multicomponent Assembly via β‐cyclodextrin Host–Guest Chemistry on Graphene for Biomedical Applications

A multi‐component nanosystem based on graphene and comprising individual cyclodextrins at its surface is assembled, creating hybrid structures enabling new and important functionalities: optical imaging, drug storage, and cell targeting for medical diagnosis and treatment. These nanohybrids are part of a universal system of interchangeable units, capable of mutilple functionalities. The surface components, made of individual β‐cyclodextrin molecules, are the “hosts” for functional units, which may be used as imaging agents, for anti‐cancer drug delivery, and as tumor‐specific ligands. Specifically, individual β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), with a known capability to host various molecules, is considered a module unit that is assembled onto graphene nanosheet (GNS). The cyclodextrin‐functionalized graphene nanosheet (GNS/β‐CD) enables “host–guest” chemistry between the nanohybrid and functional “payloads”. The structure, composition, and morphology of the graphene nanosheet hybrid have been investigated. The nanohybrid, GNS/β‐CD, is highly dispersive in various physiological solutions, reflecting the high biostability of cyclodextrin. Regarding the host capability, the nanohybrid is fully capable of selectively accommodating various biological and functional agents in a controlled fashion, including the antivirus drug amantadine, fluorescent dye [5(6)‐carboxyfluorescein], and Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) peptide‐targeting ligands assisted by an adamantine linker. The loading ratio of 5(6)‐carboxyfluorescein is as high as 110% with a drug concentration of 0.45 mg mL^?1. The cyclic RGD‐functionalized nanohybrid exhibits remarkable targeting for HeLa cells.     

Reversible Ion‐Conducting Switch in a Novel Single‐Ion Supramolecular Hydrogel Enabled by Photoresponsive Host–Guest Molecular Recognition

A novel ion‐conducting supramolecular hydrogel with reversible photoconductive properties in which the azobenzene motif, α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD), and ionic liquid are grafted onto the gel matrix is reported. Host–guest interactions with different association constants between α‐CD and azobenzene or the anionic part of the ionic liquid can be readily tuned by photoinduced trans–cis isomerization of the azobenzene unit. When irradiated by 365 nm light, α‐CD prefers to form a complex with the anionic part of the ionic liquid, resulting in decreased ionic mobility and thus high resistance of the hydrogel. However, under 420 nm light irradiation, a more stable complex is again formed between α‐CD and trans‐azobenzene, thereby releasing the bound anions to regenerate the low‐resistive hydrogel. As such, remote control of the ionic conductivity of the hydrogel is realized by simple host–guest chemistry. With the incorporation of a logic gate, this hydrogel is able to reversibly switch an electric circuit on and off by light irradiation with certain wavelengths. The concept of photoswitchable ionic conductivity of a hydrogel mediated by competitive molecular recognition is potentially promising toward the fabrication of optoelectronic devices and applications in bioelectronic technology.     

Bioadhesive Polymersome for Localized and Sustained Drug Delivery at Pathological Sites with Harsh Enzymatic and Fluidic Environment via Supramolecular Host–Guest Complexation

Targeted and sustained delivery of drugs to diseased tissues/organs, where body fluid exchange and catabolic activity are substantial, is challenging due to the fast cleansing and degradation of the drugs by these harsh environmental factors. Herein, a multifunctional and bioadhesive polycaprolactone‐β‐cyclodextrin (PCL‐CD) polymersome is developed for localized and sustained co‐delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug molecules. This PCL‐CD polymersome affords multivalent crosslinking action via surface CD‐mediated host–guest interactions to generate a supramolecular hydrogel that exhibits evident shear thinning and efficient self‐healing behavior. The co‐delivery of small molecule and proteinaceous agents by the encapsulated PCL‐CD polymersomes enhances the differentiation of stem cells seeded in the hydrogel. Furthermore, the PCL‐CD polymersomes are capable of in situ grafting to biological tissues via host–guest complexation between surface CD and native guest groups in the tissue matrix both in vitro and in vivo, thereby effectively extending the retention of loaded cargo in the grafted tissue. It is further demonstrated that the co‐delivery of small molecule and proteinaceous drugs via PCL‐CD polymersomes averts cartilage degeneration in animal osteoarthritic (OA) knee joints, which are known for their biochemically harsh and fluidically dynamic environment.     

A Solid‐State Fibriform Supercapacitor Boosted by Host–Guest Hybridization between the Carbon Nanotube Scaffold and MXene Nanosheets

Fiber‐shaped supercapacitors with improved specific capacitance and high rate capability are a promising candidate as power supply for smart textiles. However, the synergistic interaction between conductive filaments and active nanomaterials remains a crucial challenge, especially when hydrothermal or electrochemical deposition is used to produce a core (fiber)–shell (active materials) fibrous structure. On the other hand, although 2D pseudocapacitive materials, e.g., Ti₃C₂T _x (MXene), have demonstrated high volumetric capacitance, high electrical conductivity, and hydrophilic characteristics, MXene‐based electrodes normally suffer from poor rate capability owing to the sheet restacking especially when the loading level is high and solid‐state gel is used as electrolyte. Herein, by hosting MXene nanosheets (Ti₃C₂T _x ) in the corridor of a scrolled carbon nanotube (CNT) scaffold, a MXene/CNT fiber with helical structure is successfully fabricated. These features offer open spaces for rapid ion diffusion and guarantee fast electron transport. The solid‐state supercapacitor based on such hybrid fibers with gel electrolyte coating exhibits a volumetric capacitance of 22.7 F cm⁻³ at 0.1 A cm⁻³ with capacitance retention of 84% at current density of 1.0 A cm⁻³ (19.1 F cm⁻³), improved volumetric energy density of 2.55 mWh cm⁻³ at the power density of 45.9 mW cm⁻³, and excellent mechanical robustness.