In recent years, rapid development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has provided good technical support for the study of human cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this work, a mimetic cell membrane and drug carrier OPFL system containing photoactive oligo(p-phenylene vinylene) functionalized with phospholipid units (OPV-lipid) was prepared for functional regulation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. OPFL bound to the cell membrane of iPSC-derived human cardiomyocytes and significantly enhanced delivery of cyclosporin A (CsA) into these cells, which promoted the regulation of mitochondrial calcium levels and membrane potential by CsA. This led to the protection of the mitochondrial structure and function, thus reducing apoptosis of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and achieving the effect of treating CVD. OPFL not only acts as a fluorescent probe for cell imaging and visualization of the drug delivery process but also provides a tool to deliver lipid-insoluble drugs throughout the cell membrane. Benefiting from good biocompatibility, facile operation, and a visible and controllable cell uptake process, OPFL has good potential to be a powerful tool in future basic and clinical research applications involving iPSCs.
Keywords: conjugated molecular materials; cyclosporin A; induced pluripotent stem cells; mitochondria; photoactive phospholipid.