Polyglycine II nanosheets: supramolecular antivirals?

Effect of pH-Regulation on the Capture of Lipopolysaccharides from E. coli EH100 by Four-Antennary Oligoglycines in Aqueous Medium

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are designated as endotoxins, because they cause fever and a wide range of pathologies in humans. It is important to develop effective methodologies to detect trace quantities of LPS in aqueous systems. The present study develops a fine-tuning procedure for the entrapment of trace quantities of LPS from E. coli EH100. The capture agents are self-assemblies (tectomers) formed by synthetic four-antennary oligoglycine (C-(CH2-NH-Gly7)4, T4). Based on previously performed investigations of bulk and adsorption-layer properties of aqueous solutions containing T4 and LPS, the optimal conditions for the entrapment interactions are further fine-tuned by the pH regulation of aqueous systems. A combined investigation protocol is developed, including dynamic light scattering, profile analysis tensiometry, microscopic thin-liquid-film techniques, and transmission electron microscopy. The key results are: (1) two types of complexes between T4 and LPS are generated-amphiphilic species and "sandwich-like" hydrophilic entities; the complexes are smaller at lower pH, and larger at higher pH; (2) an optimum range of pH values is established within which the whole quantity of the LPS is entrapped by the tectomers, namely pH = 5.04-6.30. The obtained data substantiate the notion that T4 may be used for an effective capture and the removal of traces of endotoxins in aqueous systems.

40 years of glyco-polyacrylamide in glycobiology

Polyacrylamide conjugates of glycans have long been widely used in many research areas of glycobiology, mainly for immobilizing glycans in solid-phase assays and as multivalent inhibitors. Pending biotin tag allows immobilizing Glyc-PAA quantitatively on any surface, and acts as a tracer for detection of carbohydrate-binding proteins. However, the scope of already realized capabilities of these probes is immeasurably richer than those listed above. This review is not so much about routine as about less common, but not less significant applications. Also, the data on the glycopolymers themselves, their molecular weight, size and polymer chain flexibility are presented, as well as the methods of synthesis, clusterisation and entropy factor in their interaction with proteins.

Two-Dimensional Material-Based Biosensors for Virus Detection

Viral infections are one of the major causes of mortality and economic losses worldwide. Consequently, efficient virus detection methods are crucial to determine the infection prevalence. However, most detection methods face challenges related to false-negative or false-positive results, long response times, high costs, and/or the need for specialized equipment and staff. Such issues can be overcome by access to low-cost and fast response point-of-care detection systems, and two-dimensional materials (2DMs) can play a critical role in this regard. Indeed, the unique and tunable physicochemical properties of 2DMs provide many advantages for developing biosensors for viral infections with high sensitivity and selectivity. Fast, accurate, and reliable detection, even at early infection stages by the virus, can be potentially enabled by highly accessible surface interactions between the 2DMs and the analytes. High selectivity can be obtained by functionalization of the 2DMs with antibodies, nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, or aptamers, allowing for specific binding to a particular virus, viral fingerprints, or proteins released by the host organism. Multiplexed detection and discrimination between different virus strains are also feasible. In this Review, we present a comprehensive overview of the major advances of 2DM-based biosensors for the detection of viruses. We describe the main factors governing the efficient interactions between viruses and 2DMs, making them ideal candidates for the detection of viral infections. We also critically detail their advantages and drawbacks, providing insights for the development of future biosensors for virus detection. Lastly, we provide suggestions to stimulate research in the fast expanding field of 2DMs that could help in designing advanced systems for preventing virus-related pandemics.

Concise and Reliable Syntheses of Glycodendrimers via Self-Activating Click Chemistry: A Robust Strategy for Mimicking Multivalent Glycan-Pathogen Interactions

Individual interactions between glycans and their receptors are usually weak, although these weak interactions can combine to realize a strong interaction (multivalency). Such multivalency plays a crucial role in the recognition of host cells by pathogens. Glycodendrimers are useful materials for the reconstruction of this multivalent interaction. However, the introduction of a large number of glycans to a dendrimer core is fraught with difficulties. We herein synthesized antipathogenic glycodendrimers using the self-activating click chemistry (SACC) method developed by our group. The excellent reactivity of SACC enabled the efficient preparation of sialyl glycan and Gb3 glycan dendrimers, which exhibited strong avidity toward hemagglutinin on influenza virus and Shiga toxin B subunit produced by Escherichia coli, respectively. We demonstrated the usefulness of SACC-based glycodendrimers as antipathogenic compounds.

Multifunctional, biocompatible and pH-responsive carbon nanotube- and graphene oxide/tectomer hybrid composites and coatings

Here we present a route for non-covalent functionalization of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide with novel two-dimensional peptide assemblies. We show that self-assembled amino-terminated biantennary and tetraantennary oligoglycine peptides (referred to as tectomers) effectively coat carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes and also strongly interact with graphene oxide due to electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding as the driving force, respectively. The resulting hybrids can be made into free-standing conducting composites or applied in the form of thin, pH-switchable bioadhesive coatings onto graphene oxide fibers. Monitoring of cell viability of pancreatic cell lines, seeded on those CNT hybrids, show that they can be used as two- and three-dimensional scaffolds to tissue engineer tumour models for studying ex vivo the tumour development and response to treatment. This highly versatile method in producing pH-responsive hybrids and coatings offers an attractive platform for a variety of biomedical applications and for the development of functional materials such as smart textiles, sensors and bioelectronic devices.

Synthesis of a New Series of Sialylated Homo- and Heterovalent Glycoclusters by using Orthogonal Ligations

The synthesis of heteroglycoclusters (hGCs) is being subjected to rising interest, owing to their potential applications in glycobiology. In this paper, we report an efficient and straightforward convergent protocol based on orthogonal chemoselective ligations to prepare structurally well-defined cyclopeptide-based homo- and heterovalent glycoconjugates displaying 5-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), galactose (Gal), and/or N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc). We first used copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition and/or thiol-ene coupling to conjugate propargylated α-sialic acid 3, β-GlcNAc thiol 5, and β-Gal thiol 6 onto cyclopeptide scaffolds 7-9 to prepare tetravalent homoglycoclusters (10-12) and hGCs (13-14) with 2:2 combinations of sugars. In addition, we have demonstrated that 1,2-diethoxycyclobutene-3,4-dione can be used as a bivalent linker to prepare various octavalent hGCs (16, 19, and 20) in a controlled manner from these tetravalent structures.

Two-Dimensional, pH-Responsive Oligoglycine-Based Nanocarriers

The nanocarrier capabilities of atomically smooth two-dimensional sheets of a biantennary oligoglycine peptide C8H16(-CH2-NH-Gly5)2 (also called tectomers) are demonstrated. We show that the pH-controlled, rapid, and reversible assembly and disassembly of oligoglycine can be effectively used for controlled loading and release of the anticancer drug and fluorescent probe coralyne. The calculated partition coefficient in water is of the same order of magnitude or higher when compared to other nanocarriers such as liposomes and micelles, signifying the tectomer's impressive loading capabilities. Moreover, the loading of guest molecules in tectomers facilitates the protection from rapid photochemically induced degradation. Such efficient, pH-sensitive, stable, and biocompatible nanocarriers are extremely attractive for biosensing, therapeutic, and theranostic applications. Additionally, our results suggest that these planar self-assembled materials can also act as phase-transfer vehicles for hydrophobic cargoes further broadening their biomedical and technological applications.

Potential of acylated peptides to target the influenza A virus

For antiviral drug design, especially in the field of influenza virus research, potent multivalent inhibitors raise high expectations for combating epidemics and pandemics. Among a large variety of covalent and non-covalent scaffold systems for a multivalent display of inhibitors, we created a simple supramolecular platform to enhance the antiviral effect of our recently developed antiviral Peptide B (PeB(GF)), preventing binding of influenza virus to the host cell. By conjugating the peptide with stearic acid to create a higher-order structure with a multivalent display, we could significantly enhance the inhibitory effect against the serotypes of both human pathogenic influenza virus A/Aichi/2/1968 H3N2, and avian pathogenic A/FPV/Rostock/34 H7N1 in the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Further, the inhibitory potential of stearylated PeB(GF) (C18-PeB(GF)) was investigated by infection inhibition assays, in which we achieved low micromolar inhibition constants against both viral strains. In addition, we compared C18-PeB(GF) to other published amphiphilic peptide inhibitors, such as the stearylated sugar receptor mimicking peptide (Matsubara et al. 2010), and the "Entry Blocker" (EB) (Jones et al. 2006), with respect to their antiviral activity against infection by Influenza A Virus (IAV) H3N2. However, while this strategy seems at a first glance promising, the native situation is quite different from our experimental model settings. First, we found a strong potential of those peptides to form large amyloid-like supramolecular assemblies. Second, in vivo, the large excess of cell surface membranes provides an unspecific target for the stearylated peptides. We show that acylated peptides insert into the lipid phase of such membranes. Eventually, our study reveals serious limitations of this type of self-assembling IAV inhibitors.

Biantennary oligoglycines and glyco-oligoglycines self-associating in aqueous medium

Oligoglycines designed in a star-like fashion, so-called tri- and tetraantennary molecules, were found to form highly ordered supramers in aqueous medium. The formation of these supramers occurred either spontaneously or due to the assistance of a mica surface. The driving force of the supramer formation is hydrogen bonding, the polypeptide chain conformation is related to the folding of helical polyglycine II (PG II). Tri- and tetraantennary molecules are capable of association if the antenna length reach 7 glycine (Gly) residues. Properties of similar biantennary molecules have not been investigated yet, and we compared their self-aggregating potency with similar tri- and tetraantennary analogs. Here, we synthesized oligoglycines of the general formula R-Gly n -Х-Gly n -R (X = -HN-(СН2) m -NH-, m = 2, 4, 10; n = 1-7) without pendant ligands (R = H) and with two pendant sialoligands (R = sialic acid or sialooligosaccharide). Biantennary oligoglycines formed PG II aggregates, their properties, however, differ from those of the corresponding tri- and tetraantennary oligoglycines. In particular, the tendency to aggregate starts from Gly4 motifs instead of Gly7. The antiviral activity of end-glycosylated peptides was studied, and all capable of assembling glycopeptides demonstrated an antiviral potency which was up to 50 times higher than the activity of peptide-free glycans.

Semisynthetic teicoplanin derivatives as new influenza virus binding inhibitors: synthesis and antiviral studies

In order to obtain new, cluster-forming antibiotic compounds, teicoplanin pseudoaglycone derivatives containing two lipophilic n-octyl chains have been synthesized. The compounds proved to be poor antibacterials, but, surprisingly, they exhibited potent anti-influenza virus activity against influenza A strains. This antiviral action was related to inhibition of the binding interaction between the virus and the host cell. Related analogs bearing methyl substituents in lieu of the octyl chains, displayed no anti-influenza virus activity. Hence, an interaction between the active, dually n-octylated compounds and the lipid bilayer of the host cell can be postulated, to explain the observed inhibition of influenza virus attachment.

Surface mediated L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanine assembly into large dendritic structures

We report a new class of dipeptide dendritic structures fabricated on the surface of mica via spin casting and the conditions required to achieve them. Both their structure and formation mechanism have been investigated in detail using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) at the nanometre scale. Formation of nanotubular structures and their further interaction is shown to be a key step in dendritic structure growth. A possible candidate for the primary building block in the nanotubular structure has been identified. The dendritic structures were found to be stable in ambient conditions for several months, however, they transform into needle-like crystals upon exposure to 100% (relative humidity) humid air.

Multifunctional dendritic sialopolymersomes as potential antiviral agents: their lectin binding and drug release properties

Polymer vesicles, commonly referred to as polymersomes, are self-organized materials that result from the self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers in solution. Recently, there has been increasing interest in biomedical applications of polymersomes due to the different functions that can be imparted through encapsulation of molecules within the core or membrane or through the introduction of bioactive molecules to the polymersome surface. We describe here the development and study of poly(ethylene oxide)-polycaprolactone polymersomes designed to interact with influenza viruses at two different stages in the infection process. First, the conjugation of the sialic acid N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) to the polymersome surface was designed to inhibit the binding of viral hemagglutinin to sialic acids on host cells, thus preventing viral entry. Second, the incorporation of the neuraminidase inhibitor zanamivir into the polymersome core was designed to prevent the release of progeny virus from the host cells, thus inhibiting viral replication. With the aim of maximizing multivalent effects at the polymersome surface, polyester dendrons functionalized with Neu5Ac were synthesized and conjugated to polymersomes. Binding of the resulting dendritic sialopolymersomes to Limax flavus agglutinin was studied and compared to the sialodendron and a monovalent Neu5Ac derivative using an enzyme-linked lectin inhibition assay. It was found that while the sialodendron exhibited a 17-fold enhancement (per sialoside) relative to the small molecule, the dendritic sialopolymersomes resulted in an almost 2000-fold enhancement in binding affinity. It was also demonstrated that encapsulation of zanamivir into the dendritic sialopolymersomes could be performed with the same efficiency as for naked polymersomes to provide a drug loading of ~35 wt %. Drug release rates were similar for both systems with sustained release over a period of 4 days. Overall, these results suggest the promise of using a multifunctional polymersome system for interaction with and inhibition of influenza viruses.

High-resolution atomic force microscopy study of hexaglycylamide epitaxial structures on graphite

Two types of hexaglycylamide (HGA) epitaxial lamellar structures coexisting on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) exposed to water solutions were studied by high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM). Lamellae are distinguished by growth direction and by morphology. The lamellae of the first type (L1) produced by depositions from more dilute solutions are close-packed with a period of ∼5.2 nm, twice the HGA molecular length, and form highly ordered domains morphologically similar to the lamellar domains of alkanes. The less-ordered lamellae of the second type (L2) appear at intermediate and large HGA concentrations and demonstrate variable lamellar width, morphological diversity, and a tendency to merge. The interlamellar separation in the domains of close-packed L2 lamellae varies with the discrete increment ∼2.5 nm; the most frequently observed value is ∼7.5-8.0 nm corresponding to the triple HGA molecular length. The growth directions of lamellae of each type have sixfold rotational symmetry indicating epitaxy with graphite; however, the rosettes of L1 and L2 lamellae orientations are misaligned by 30°. The molecular modeling of possible HGA epitaxial packing arrangements on graphite and their classification have been conducted, and the energetically preferable structures are selected. On this basis, the structural models of the L1 and L2 lamellae are proposed explaining the experimentally observed peculiarities as follows: (1) the L1 and L2 lamellae are respectively parallel and antiparallel β-sheets with two HGA molecules in the unit cell oriented normally to the lamellae boundaries, (2) HGA molecules in L1 and L2 lamellae have different orientations with respect to the graphite lattice, respectively along the directions <1120> and <1010>, (3) L1 lamella is the assembly of two hydrogen-bonded parallel β-sheets oriented head-to-head, (4) L2 lamellae are assemblies of several molecular rows (antiparallel β-sheets) cross-linked by hydrogen bonds. The AFM observations indicate that the covering of the hydrophobic graphite by the dense, closely packed, well-ordered monolayers of hydrophilic oligopeptide is possible.

Tunable Bacterial Agglutination and Motility Inhibition by Self-Assembled Glyco-Nanoribbons

We explored a method of controlling bacterial motility and agglutination by using self-assembled carbohydrate-coated beta-sheet nanoribbons. To this aim, we synthesized triblock peptides that consist of a carbohydrate, a polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer, and a beta-sheet-forming peptide. An investigation into the effect of PEG-spacer length on the self-assembly of the triblock peptides showed that the PEG should be of sufficiently length to stabilize the beta-sheet nanoribbon structure. It was found that the stabilization of the nanoribbon led to stronger activity in bacterial motility inhibition and agglutination, thus suggesting that antibacterial activity can be controlled by the stabilization strategy. Furthermore, another level of control over bacterial motility and agglutination was attained by co-assembly of bacteria-specific and -nonspecific supramolecular building blocks. The nanoribbon specifically detected bacteria after the encapsulation of a fluorescent probe. Moreover, the detection sensitivity was enhanced by the formation of bacterial clusters. All these results suggest that the carbohydrate-coated beta-sheet nanoribbons can be developed as promising agents for pathogen capture, inactivation, and detection, and that the activity can be controlled at will.

Spontaneous and promoted association of linear oligoglycines

Linear oligoglycines of various lengths bearing a carboxyl or an amide group at their C-termini and also their poly(acrylamide) conjugates were synthesized. No self-assembly into supramolecular structures was observed for free oligoglycines H-(Gly)m-OH(m = 3-5). At the same time, oligoglycylamides H-(Gly)m-NH2 (m = 3-5) demonstrated ability for both self-assembly in aqueous solution and assembly promoted by an additional interaction with surface. In the case of polymer-bound oligoglycines (and their amides), no intramolecular clustering of peptide chains, as expected, was observed. This means that the presence of several oligoglycine chains bound to each other in one center is not a necessary prerequisite for polyglycine II-type association.

Polymer-bound 6' sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine protects mice infected by influenza virus

To develop a mouse model for testing receptor attachment inhibitors of human influenza viruses, the human clinical virus isolate in MDCK cells A/NIB/23/89M (H1N1) was adapted to mice by serial passaging through mouse lungs. The adaptation enhanced the viral pathogenicity for mice, but preserved the virus receptor binding phenotype, preferential binding to 2-6-linked sialic acid receptors and low affinity for 2-3-linked receptors. Sequencing of the HA gene of the mouse-adapted virus A/NIB/23/89-MA revealed a loss of the glycosylation sites in positions 94 and 163 of HA1 and substitutions 275Asp-->Gly in HA1 and 145Asn-->Asp in HA2. The four mouse strains tested differed significantly in their sensitivity to A/NIB/23/89-MA with the sensitivity increasing in the order of BALB/cJCitMoise, C57BL/6LacSto, CBA/CaLacSto and A/SnJCitMoise strains. Testing of protective efficacy of the polyacrylamide conjugate bearing Neu5Acalpha2-6Galbeta1-4GlcNAc trisaccharide under conditions of lethal or sublethal virus infection demonstrated a strong protective effect of this preparation. In particular, aerosol treatment of mice with the polymeric attachment inhibitor on 24-110 h after infection completely prevented mortality in sensitive animals and lessened disease symptoms in more resistant mouse strains.