Activation of molecular pathway by light responsive capsules

The possibility to remotely manipulate intracellular pathways in single cells is among the current goals of regenerative medicine, demanding new strategies to enhance tissue repair and reprogram cycling activities of endogenous stem and differentiated cells. Novel advanced nanomaterials are addressing this need, due to improvements in the controlled synthesis and functionalization of micro/nanostructures. In this context, polyelectrolyte multilayer microcapsules may serve as excellent carriers for drug delivery. Here, we report on the synthesis and the bioactivity of optical-responsive PEMs1 engineered to achieve spatio-temporal control of a specific cell signalling pathway controlling animal development, the Wnt/ ? catenin pathway. By using an invertebrate model organism, the freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris, we show the light controlled delivery of an intracellular modulator of the Wnt pathway, enclosed into polyelectrolyte multilayer microcapsules2. NIR light irradiation of treated polyps induced forced activation of Wnt signalling2. The possibility to remotely manipulate the Wnt pathway by light responsive capsules may be broadly translated to achieve spatio-temporal control of cell fate for new therapeutic strategies.