Cell Surface Engineering-Mediated Secretion Sensing System in Dynamic Hydrogels to Unveil Mechanobalancing Therapeutic Targets for Pulmonary Fibrosis
발표자
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초록
내용
Pulmonary fibrosis is a severe respiratory disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Current treatments only alleviate the side effects, and reversing the already stiffened tissue remains challenging. Here, we utilized a photo-crosslinking technique to create 3D collagen hydrogels representing the fibrotic status: soft, stiff, and dynamically stiffening. We assessed cell viability, proliferation, and the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 19 (MMP-19), a potential therapeutic ECM regulator, within these hydrogels. In particular, biotin-streptavidin interaction-based cell surface engineering with a fluorescence-labeled anti-MMP-19 antibody was performed to develop a cell secretion sensing system. This system would enable us to identify therapeutic target genes as a mechanobalancer enhancing MMP-19 secretion in dynamically stiffened environments, potentially opening new therapeutic avenues for pulmonary fibrosis.