Yu Hoshino

We report that simple, synthetic organic polymer nanoparticles (NPs) can capture and clear a target peptide toxin in the bloodstream of living mice. The protein-sized polymer nanoparticles, with a binding affinity and selectivity comparable to those of natural antibodies, were prepared by combining a functional monomer optimization strategy with molecular-imprinting nanoparticle synthesis. As a result of binding and removal of melittin by NPs in vivo, the mortality and peripheral toxic symptoms

A novel method for preparation of biomacromolecular imprinted nanoparticles is described. Combinations of functional monomers were polymerized in the presence of the imprinting peptide melittin in aqueous solution at room temperature to produce a small library of polymer nanoparticles. The template peptide and unreacted monomers are subsequently removed by dialysis. Nanoparticles (NPs) from the library were evaluated for their binding to melittin by 27 MHz QCM analysis. NPs prepared with optimiz

Synthetic polymer nanoparticles (NPs) that bind venomous molecules and neutralize their function in vivo are of significant interest as "plastic antidotes." Recently, procedures to synthesize polymer NPs with affinity for target peptides have been reported. However, the performance of synthetic materials in vivo is a far greater challenge. Particle size, surface charge, and hydrophobicity affect not only the binding affinity and capacity to the target toxin but also the toxicity of NPs and the c

Herein we report that an aqueous solution of temperature-responsive micro- and nanogel particles (GPs) consisting of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide (DMAPM) reversibly absorbs and desorbs CO(2) via a phase transition induced by cooling and heating cycles (30-75 °C). Below the phase-transition temperature, most of the amines in the swollen GPs are capable of forming ion pairs with absorbed bicarbonate ions. However, above the phase-transition temperatur

Thermoelectric conversion of low temperature, delocalized, and abundant thermal sources is crucial for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and/or a carbon-free society. Thermocells are of great interest in thermoelectric conversion of low-temperature heat due to the low cost and flexibility of components. However, significant improvement of the conversion efficiency is required for the practical use of the cells. Here, we report thermo-electrochemical cells driven by volume phase tra

Designed polymer nanoparticles (NPs) capable of binding and neutralizing a biomacromolecular toxin are prepared. A library of copolymer NPs is synthesized from combinations of functional monomers. The binding capacity and affinity of the NPs are individually analyzed. NPs with optimized composition are capable of neutralizing the toxin even in a complex biological milieu. It is anticipated that this strategy will be a starting point for the design of synthetic alternatives to antibodies.

We report that multifunctional polymer nanoparticles approximately the size of a large protein can be "purified", on the basis of peptide affinity just as antibodies, using an affinity chromatography strategy. The selection process takes advantage of the thermoresponsiveness of the nanoparticles allowing "catch and release" of the target peptide by adjusting the temperature. Purified particles show much stronger affinity (K(dapp) ≈ nM) and a narrower affinity distribution than the average of par

Plastic antibodies, synthetic polymer nanoparticles with antibody-like functions, have emerged as potential alternatives to protein antibodies. This paper focuses on recent developments of plastic antibodies for biomacromolecules and their application as antitoxins.

Hydrogel films composed of temperature-responsive microgel particles (GPs) containing amine groups work as stimuli-responsive carbon dioxide absorbent with a high capacity of approximately 1.7 mmol g(-1). Although the dried films did not show significant absorption, the reversible absorption capacity dramatically increased by adding a small amount of water (1 mL g(-1)). The absorption capacity was independent of the amount of added water beyond 1 mL g(-1), demonstrating that the GP films can rea

Although a number of procedures to create synthetic polymer nanoparticles (NPs) with an intrinsic affinity to target biomacromolecules have been published, little has been reported on strategies to control the binding kinetics of target recognition. Here, we report an enzyme-mimic strategy to control binding/dissociation rate constants of NPs, which bind proteins through multipoint interactions, by taking advantage of the temperature-responsive coil-globule phase transition of poly-N-isopropylac

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the extreme release of inflammatory mediators into the blood in response to infection (e.g., bacterial infection, COVID-19), resulting in the dysfunction of multiple organs. Currently, there is no direct treatment for sepsis. Here we report an abiotic hydrogel nanoparticle (HNP) as a potential therapeutic agent for late-stage sepsis. The HNP captures and neutralizes all variants of histones, a major inflammatory mediator released during sepsis. Th

Temperature-responsive nanogel particles with acids exhibiting large and reversible pK a shift are prepared by an ion-imprinting polymerization of stimuli responsive monomers, cross-linkers, and acidic monomers using protons as a template. The principles employed here should be broadly applicable to other stimuli-responsive materials and will be an integral step in the production of active proton transporter. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information s

Herein we revealed the design rationale of thermally responsive gel particle (GP) films that reversibly capture and release large amounts of CO₂ over a narrow temperature range (30-75 °C). The p<i>K</i>_a value of ammonium ions in the GPs at both the CO₂ capture temperature (30 °C) and release temperature (75 °C) is found to be the primary factor responsible for the stoichiometry of reversible CO₂ capture by the amines in the GP films. The p<i>K</i><sub

Effects of ultrasound irradiation on DNA polymerase (Klenow fragment, KF) reactions were studied on the template/primer DNA-immobilized quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Under ultrasound irradiation, binding of KF to the DNA was suppressed due to the decrease of the binding rate constant (k(1)) and the increase of the dissociation rate constant (k(-)(1)). The catalytic elongation rate (k(cat)) was increased, but the stability of the KF/DNA/monomer ternary complex (K(m)) was decreased by the ult