Table 3.
Summary of strategies for controlling cell differentiation and for cell stimulation reviewed in this article.
| Mechanism | Material | Phototriggered effect | Observed Properties and Effects | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioactive molecule release | UCNPs with multishell structure containing SP | Upconversion and photoisomerization | Remotely controlled retinoic acid release promoted neuronal differentiation | [106] |
| Electrical stimulation | Polycaprolactone, P3HT and polypyrrole tricomponent platform | Photovoltaic | Enhanced neuronal differentiation | [108] |
| Topography and electrical stimulation | Different micro/nanoscale structures of P3HT | Photovoltaic | Directed cell growth and enhanced neuronal differentiation | [109] |
| Stiffness | Biorthogonal SPAAC synthetized hydrogels containing photocleavable ortho-nitrobenzyl | Photocleavage | Control over skeletal muscle stem cells fate | [111] |
| Topography | pDR1m substrate | Photoisomerization and mass migration | Rerouting SCs’ fate by dynamic modulation of morphological signals | [112] |
| Mechanical signals | UCNPs substrate functionalized with photocleavable PEG and RGD-PEG | Upconversion and photocleavage | Differentiation of MSCs towards adipocytes or osteoblasts | [113] |
| Mechanical signals | Light switchable tethers containing pdDronpa | Dimerization and cleavage | Expression of osteogenic or adipogenic markers depending on illumination | [114] |
| ROS generation | P3HT NPs | Photocatalysis | Trigger of intracellular calcium ion flux | [124] |
| Electrical stimulation | Interface composed of chemically modified organic materials | Photovoltaic | Stimulation of explanted degenerated mice retinas | [125] |