Induction of notch signaling by immobilization of jagged-1 on self-assembled monolayers

Biomaterials. 2009 Dec;30(36):6879-87. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2009.09.010. Epub 2009 Sep 23.

Abstract

Notch signaling is a key mechanism during mammal development and stem cell regulation. This study aims to target and control Notch signaling by ligands immobilization using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as model surfaces. Non-fouling substrates were prepared by immersion of gold substrates in (1-Mercapto-11-undecyl)tetra(ethylene glycol) thiol solutions. These surfaces were activated with N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) at different concentrations (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3 and 30 mg/ml) and an anti-human IgG, Fc specific fragment antibody (Ab) was covalently bound to EG4-SAMs to guarantee the correct exposure of the Notch ligand Jagged-1/Fc chimera (Jag-1). The presence of Ab and Jag-1 was confirmed by radiolabeling, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ellipsometry and ELISA. The biological activity of Jag-1-Ab-SAMs was assessed by real-time PCR for Hes-1 family gene expression, a Notch pathway target gene, in HL-60 cell line. Results have shown an increase of the amount of immobilized Ab with increasing surface activator concentrations. Jag-1 concentration also increases with Ab concentration. Interestingly, a higher Jagged-1 exposure and fold increase in Hes-1 expression were obtained for surfaces activated with the lowest concentration of CDI (0.03 mg/ml). These results illustrate the great importance of ligands orientation and exposure, when compared with density. This investigation brings new insights into Notch signaling mechanisms. In particular, Jag-1-Ab-SAMs have shown to be adequate model surfaces to study Notch pathway activation and may provide a basis to develop new interfaces in biomaterials to control Notch mechanism in different cell systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay* / instrumentation
  • Immunoassay* / methods
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Receptors, Fc / genetics
  • Receptors, Fc / metabolism
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • JAG1 protein, human
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins
  • Gold