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Hara Y, Yoshizawa K, Yaguchi A, Hiramatsu H, Uchida N, Muraoka T. ROS-Responsive Methionine-Containing Amphiphilic Peptides Impart Enzyme-Triggered Phase Transition and Antioxidant Cell Protection. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:3499-3506. [PMID: 38720562 PMCID: PMC11170935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by cellular activities, such as metabolism and immune response, and play important roles in cell signaling and homeostasis. However, overproduced ROS causes irreversible damage to nucleic acids and membrane lipids, supporting genetic mutations and enhancing the effects of aging. Cells defend themselves against ROS using antioxidant systems based on redox-active sulfur and transition metals. Inspired by such biological redox-responsive systems, we developed methionine-containing self-assembling peptides. The Met-containing peptides formed hydrogels that underwent a gel-to-sol phase transition upon oxidation by H2O2, and the sensitivity of the peptides to the oxidant increased as the number of Met residues increased. The peptide containing three Met residues, the largest number of Met residues in our series of designed peptides, showed the highest sensitivity to oxidation and detoxification to protect cells from ROS damage. In addition, this peptide underwent a phase transition in response to H2O2 produced by an oxidizing enzyme. This study demonstrates the design of a supramolecular biomaterial that is responsive to enzymatically generated ROS and can protect cells against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshika Hara
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yoshizawa
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuya Yaguchi
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotsugu Hiramatsu
- Department
of Applied Chemistry and Institute of Molecular Science National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta-Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center
for Emergent Functional Matter Science National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University 1001 Ta-Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Noriyuki Uchida
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Muraoka
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei 184-8588, Tokyo, Japan
- Kanagawa
Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 705-1 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina 243-0435, Kanagawa, Japan
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2
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Zhou H, Zhu Y, Yang B, Huo Y, Yin Y, Jiang X, Ji W. Stimuli-responsive peptide hydrogels for biomedical applications. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:1748-1774. [PMID: 38305498 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02610h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive hydrogels can respond to external stimuli with a change in the network structure and thus have potential application in drug release, intelligent sensing, and scaffold construction. Peptides possess robust supramolecular self-assembly ability, enabling spontaneous formation of nanostructures through supramolecular interactions and subsequently hydrogels. Therefore, peptide-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been widely explored as smart soft materials for biomedical applications in the last decade. Herein, we present a review article on design strategies and research progress of peptide hydrogels as stimuli-responsive materials in the field of biomedicine. The latest design and development of peptide hydrogels with responsive behaviors to stimuli are first presented. The following part provides a systematic overview of the functions and applications of stimuli-responsive peptide hydrogels in tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, antimicrobial treatment, 3D cell culture, biosensors, etc. Finally, the remaining challenges and future prospects of stimuli-responsive peptide hydrogels are proposed. It is believed that this review will contribute to the rational design and development of stimuli-responsive peptide hydrogels toward biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
| | - Yanhua Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
| | - Bingbing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
| | - Yehong Huo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
| | - Yuanyuan Yin
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, P. R. China
| | - Xuemei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
| | - Wei Ji
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
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3
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Wang H, Mills J, Sun B, Cui H. Therapeutic Supramolecular Polymers: Designs and Applications. Prog Polym Sci 2024; 148:101769. [PMID: 38188703 PMCID: PMC10769153 DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2023.101769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of low-molecular-weight building motifs into supramolecular polymers has unlocked a new realm of materials with distinct properties and tremendous potential for advancing medical practices. Leveraging the reversible and dynamic nature of non-covalent interactions, these supramolecular polymers exhibit inherent responsiveness to their microenvironment, physiological cues, and biomolecular signals, making them uniquely suited for diverse biomedical applications. In this review, we intend to explore the principles of design, synthesis methodologies, and strategic developments that underlie the creation of supramolecular polymers as carriers for therapeutics, contributing to the treatment and prevention of a spectrum of human diseases. We delve into the principles underlying monomer design, emphasizing the pivotal role of non-covalent interactions, directionality, and reversibility. Moreover, we explore the intricate balance between thermodynamics and kinetics in supramolecular polymerization, illuminating strategies for achieving controlled sizes and distributions. Categorically, we examine their exciting biomedical applications: individual polymers as discrete carriers for therapeutics, delving into their interactions with cells, and in vivo dynamics; and supramolecular polymeric hydrogels as injectable depots, with a focus on their roles in cancer immunotherapy, sustained drug release, and regenerative medicine. As the field continues to burgeon, harnessing the unique attributes of therapeutic supramolecular polymers holds the promise of transformative impacts across the biomedical landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jason Mills
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Boran Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Lu P, Leslie F, Wang H, Sodhi A, Choi CY, Pekosz A, Cui H, Jia H. Discovery, validation, and prodrug design of an ACE2 activator for treating bacterial infection-induced lung inflammation. J Control Release 2023; 364:1-11. [PMID: 37858626 PMCID: PMC10872764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Exacerbated inflammatory responses can be detrimental and pose fatal threats to the host, as exemplified by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in millions of fatalities. Developing novel drugs to combat the damaging effects of inflammation is essential for both preventive measures and therapeutic interventions. Accumulating evidence suggests that Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) possesses the ability to optimize inflammatory responses. However, the clinical applicability of this potential is limited due to the lack of dependable ACE2 activators. In this study, we conducted a screening of an FDA-approved drug library and successfully identified a novel ACE2 activator, termed H4. The activator demonstrated the capability to mitigate lung inflammation caused by bacterial lung infections, effectively modulating neutrophil infiltration. Importantly, to improve the clinical applicability of the poorly water-soluble H4, we developed a prodrug variant with significantly enhanced water solubility while maintaining a similar level of efficacy as H4 in attenuating inflammatory responses in the lungs of mice exposed to bacterial infections. This finding highlights the potential of formulated H4 as a promising candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases, including lung-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lu
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Faith Leslie
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Anjali Sodhi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chang-Yong Choi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Hongpeng Jia
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Wang H, Su H, Xu T, Cui H. Utilizing the Hofmeister Effect to Induce Hydrogelation of Nonionic Supramolecular Polymers into a Therapeutic Depot. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306652. [PMID: 37669026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonionic hydrogels are of particular interest for long-term therapeutic implantation due to their minimal immunogenicity relative to their charged counterparts. However, in situ formation of nonionic supramolecular hydrogels under physiological conditions has been a challenging task. In this context, we report on our discovery of salt-triggered hydrogelation of nonionic supramolecular polymers (SPs) formed by self-assembling prodrug hydrogelators (SAPHs) through the Hofmeister effect. The designed SAPHs consist of two SN-38 units, which is an active metabolite of the anticancer drug irinotecan, and a short peptide grafted with two or four oligoethylene glycol (OEG) segments. Upon self-assembly in water, the resultant nonionic SPs can be triggered to gel upon addition of phosphate salts. Our 1 H NMR studies revealed that the added phosphates led to a change in the chemical shift of the methylene protons, suggestive of a disruption of the water-ether hydrogen bonds and consequent reorganization of the hydration shell surrounding the SPs. This deshielding effect, commensurate with the amount of salt added, likely promoted associative interactions among the SAPH filaments to percolate into a 3D network. The formed hydrogels exhibited a sustained release profile of SN-38 hydrogelator that acted potently against cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hao Su
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Tian Xu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Wang H, Monroe MK, Wang F, Sun M, Flexner C, Cui H. Constructing Antiretroviral Supramolecular Polymers as Long-Acting Injectables through Rational Design of Drug Amphiphiles with Alternating Antiretroviral-Based and Hydrophobic Residues. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21293-21302. [PMID: 37747991 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the development of long-acting injectables for HIV treatment is the limited duration of drug release, which results in the need for frequent dosing and reduced patient adherence. In this context, we leverage the intrinsic reversible features of supramolecular polymers and their unique ability to form a three-dimensional network under physiological conditions to design a class of self-assembling drug amphiphiles (DAs) based upon lamivudine, a water-soluble antiretroviral (ARV) agent and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The designed ARV DAs contain three pairs of alternating hydrophobic valine (V) and hydrophilic lamivudine-modified lysine (K3TC) residues with a varying number of glutamic acids (E) placed on the C-terminus. Upon dissolution in deionized water, all three ARV DAs were found to spontaneously associate into supramolecular filaments of several micrometers in length, with varying levels of lateral stacking. Addition of 1× PBS triggered immediate gelation of the two ARV DAs with 2 or 3 E residues, and upon dilution in an in vitro setting, the dissociation from the supramolecular state to the monomeric state enabled a long-acting linear release of the ARV DAs. In vivo studies further confirmed their injectability, rapid in situ hydrogel formation, enhanced local retention, and long-acting therapeutic release over a month. Importantly, our pharmacokinetic studies suggest that the injected ARV supramolecular polymeric hydrogel was able to maintain a plasma concentration of lamivudine above its IC50 value for more than 40 days in mice and showed minimal systemic immunogenicity. We believe that these results shed important light on the rational design of long-acting injectables using the drug-based molecular assembly strategy, and the reported ARV supramolecular hydrogels hold great promise for improving HIV treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Maya K Monroe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Feihu Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Mingjiao Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Charles Flexner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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