Organic Semiconductors for Regenerative Medicine—Optical Modulation of the Cell Fate

Use of light for selective and spatio-temporally resolved control of cell functions (photoceutics) is emerging as a valuable alternative to standard electrical and chemical methods. Here, we propose the use of smart materials, and in particular of organic semiconductors, as efficient and biocompatible optical transducers in the field of regenerative medicine.<br/>Devices able to selectively and precisely modulate the fate of living cells, from adhesion to proliferation, from differentiation up to specific function, upon visible light will be presented. Examples of practical applications, recently reported by our group, include optical modulation of the activity of both excitable and non-excitable cells, the control of essential cellular switches like transient receptor potential channels and mechanosensitive channels, as well as effective modulation of intracellular calcium signaling for precise control of cell metabolic processes.<br/>In more detail, we critically discuss the reliability and efficacy of our approach by focusing on a few, representative examples of possible applications:<br/>i. Non-toxic modulation of the cell redox balance, by functional interaction with intracellular proteins;<br/>ii. Optical modulation of cell differentiation, migration and wound healing processes, by hybrid interfaces with mesenchymal stem cells and epithelial cells;<br/>iii. Optical modulation of cardiovascular cells, namely endothelial cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CM). Novel materials to optically modulate angiogenesis and to optically induce an anti-arrhythmogenic effect will be presented. Interestingly, these results may represent a breakthrough, noninvasive approach to face the cardiovascular risk, in particular post-ischemic disease and arrhythmias.<br/><br/>The above-mentioned study-cases represent, to the best of our knowledge, first reports on use of organic semiconductors for optical modulation of the cell fate, with disruptive perspectives in cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine.