journal article·2026-06-21

Programmable Helical Periodicity in Single‐Component Supramolecular Nanofibers for Pitch‐Regulated Cellular Response

Fengli Gao, Yahong Zhou, Zheng Ling, Yajuan Peng, Sravan Baddi, Laiben Gao, Xiaxin Qiu, Xiufang Wen, Xiaoqiu Dou, Changli Zhao, Chuanliang Feng

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Supramolecular chiral architectures with tunable helical periodicity are essential for mimicking biological complexity and understanding chiral evolution in nature. However, achieving a continuous range of helical pitches, remains a formidable challenge, as conventional methods typically rely on complex multicomponent systems that suffer from chemical heterogeneity and limited predictability. Here, we report that single‐component camptothecin (CPT) spontaneously assembles into homochiral nanofibers with a widely programmable and predictable helical pitch that can be precisely controlled by adjusting the monomer concentration. Such regulatable helical pitches arise from the planar, rigid π ‐conjugated backbone of CPT, affording precise modulation of intermolecular π – π interactions. We then elucidate a hierarchical assembly mechanism transitioning from microaggregates to twisted helical nanofibers, enabling an intense dissymmetry factor ( g abs ) of up to 0.12. We demonstrate that this modulable pitch enables a 3.21‐fold regulation of cell adhesion efficiency. Mechanistically, we find that helical periodicity dictates cellular response by modulating stereoselective protein adsorption, which subsequently directs focal adhesion formation and cytoskeletal organization. By providing a single‐component strategy for designing programmable chiral architectures, this work establishes helical periodicity as a fundamental physical cue for regulating cellular responses and offers a robust platform for the development of precision‐engineered bioactive chiral nanostructures.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials · Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes · Synthesis and Properties of Aromatic Compounds

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drug School of Materials Science and Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China

Key Laboratory of Bio‐inspired Materials and Interfacial Science Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China

Zhengzhou Industrial Technology Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Zhengzhou China

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality · National Key Research and Development Program of China

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