THERAPEUTIC USES OF ARTIFICIAL NANOSTRUCTURES

摘要

The present invention provides a method for controlling the fate of mammalian cells or microorganisms by the enzymatic formation of intracellular nanostructures. Enzymatic reactions trigger the intracellular self-assembly to convert a proper precursor into another molecule or nanoobject that will aggregate inside cells or inside or between tissues or organs. Further, this invention provides a method for making artificial nanostructures inside or between tissues or organs, by injecting a proper designed precursor into tissues or organs, and enzymatic reaction converting the precursor to a hydrogelator to form artificial nanostructures and inducing hydrogelation and at the state of a disease, another enzyme converts the hydrogelator back to precursor to induce gel-to-sol transition to release a drug. The present invention can be applied to treat diseases caused by the malfunction of cells, infection caused by microorganisms and provides a novel route for controlled drug releases, formation of new therapeutic agents, and in-situ formation of hydrogel to treat degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.