Remote-controlled release of nitric oxide by plasmonic waveguide coated with metal-organic frameworks

Spatiotemporal control of molecular release is essential for the precise manipulation of cellular functions, and photo-stimulation is one of the most widely used strategies to achieve this control. However, direct light exposure can cause cell damage due to the generation of reactive oxygen species and photothermal effects. Here we present a novel intracellular delivery method using plasmonic waveguides, which enables bioactive molecular release within a single live cell without direct light exposure to the target cell. This is achieved by remotely inducing photo-cleavage reactions via the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons generated by light irradiation at a spatially separated coupling point. We apply this method to deliver nitric oxide gas into a single live cell and confirm its biological relevance through intracellular changes in calcium concentration. This novel platform provides precise, time-controlled intracellular delivery of molecules while minimizing phototoxicity.