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Ciulla MG, Marchini A, Gazzola J, Forouharshad M, Pugliese R, Gelain F. In Situ Transglutaminase Cross-Linking Improves Mechanical Properties of Self-Assembling Peptides for Biomedical Applications. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:1723-1734. [PMID: 38346174 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c01148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The development of three-dimensional (3D) biomaterials that mimic natural tissues is required for efficiently restoring physiological functions of injured tissues and organs. In the field of soft hydrogels, self-assembled peptides (SAPs) stand out as distinctive biomimetic scaffolds, offering tunable properties. They have garnered significant attention in nanomedicine due to their innate ability to self-assemble, resulting in the creation of fibrous nanostructures that closely mimic the microenvironment of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This unique feature ensures their biocompatibility and bioactivity, making them a compelling area of study over the past few decades. As they are soft hydrogels, approaches are necessary to enhance the stiffness and resilience of the SAP materials. This work shows an enzymatic strategy to selectively increase the stiffness and resiliency of functionalized SAPs using transglutaminase (TGase) type 2, an enzyme capable of triggering the formation of isopeptide bonds. To this aim, we synthesized a set of SAP sequences and characterized their cross-linking via rheological experiments, atomic force microscopy (AFM), thioflavin-T binding assay, and infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) tests. The results showed an improvement of the storage modulus of cross-linked SAPs at no cost of the maximum stress-at-failure. Further, in in vitro tests, we examined and validated the TGase capability to cross-link SAPs without hampering seeded neural stem cells (hNSCs) viability and differentiation, potentially leaving the door open for safe in situ cross-linking reactions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gessica Ciulla
- Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Amanda Marchini
- Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Gazzola
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan - Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Mahdi Forouharshad
- Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Pugliese
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gelain
- Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
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2
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Adorinni S, Gentile S, Bellotto O, Kralj S, Parisi E, Cringoli MC, Deganutti C, Malloci G, Piccirilli F, Pengo P, Vaccari L, Geremia S, Vargiu AV, De Zorzi R, Marchesan S. Peptide Stereochemistry Effects from p Ka-Shift to Gold Nanoparticle Templating in a Supramolecular Hydrogel. ACS NANO 2024; 18:3011-3022. [PMID: 38235673 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c08004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The divergent supramolecular behavior of a series of tripeptide stereoisomers was elucidated through spectroscopic, microscopic, crystallographic, and computational techniques. Only two epimers were able to effectively self-organize into amphipathic structures, leading to supramolecular hydrogels or crystals, respectively. Despite the similarity between the two peptides' turn conformations, stereoconfiguration led to different abilities to engage in intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Self-assembly further shifted the pKa value of the C-terminal side chain. As a result, across the pH range 4-6, only one epimer predominated sufficiently as a zwitterion to reach the critical molar fraction, allowing gelation. By contrast, the differing pKa values and higher dipole moment of the other epimer favored crystallization. The four stereoisomers were further tested for gold nanoparticle (AuNP) formation, with the supramolecular hydrogel being the key to control and stabilize AuNPs, yielding a nanocomposite that catalyzed the photodegradation of a dye. Importantly, the AuNP formation occurred without the use of reductants other than the peptide, and the redox chemistry was investigated by LC-MS, NMR, and infrared scattering-type near field optical microscopy (IR s-SNOM). This study provides important insights for the rational design of simple peptides as minimalistic and green building blocks for functional nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Adorinni
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Gentile
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ottavia Bellotto
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Materials Synthesis Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Evelina Parisi
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria C Cringoli
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Caterina Deganutti
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Piccirilli
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
- Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Pengo
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Silvano Geremia
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Attilio V Vargiu
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Unit of Trieste, INSTM, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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3
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Wang Y, Liu X, Ge R, Moretti M, Yin J, Zhao Z, Valle-Pérez AU, Liu H, Tian Z, Guo T, Zhu Y, Hauser CAE, Alshareef HN. Peptide Gel Electrolytes for Stabilized Zn Metal Anodes. ACS NANO 2024; 18:164-177. [PMID: 38133949 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The rechargeable aqueous Zn ion battery (AZIB) is considered a promising candidate for future energy storage applications due to its intrinsic safety features and low cost. However, Zn dendrites and side reactions (e.g., corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction, and inactive side product (Zn hydroxide sulfate) formation) at the Zn metal anode have been serious obstacles to realizing a satisfactory AZIB performance. The application of gel electrolytes is a common strategy for suppressing these problems, but the normally used highly cross-linked polymer matrix (e.g., polyacrylamide (PAM)) brings additional difficulties for battery assembly and recycling. Herein, we have developed a gel electrolyte for Zn metal anode stabilization, where a peptide matrix, a highly biocompatible material, is used for gel construction. Various experiments and simulations elucidate the sulfate anion-assisted self-assembly gel formation and its effect in stabilizing Zn metal anodes. Unlike polymer gel electrolytes, the peptide gel electrolyte can reversibly transform between gel and liquid states, thus facilitating the gel-involved battery assembly and recycling. Furthermore, the peptide gel electrolyte provides fast Zn ion diffusion (comparable to conventional liquid electrolyte) while suppressing side reactions and dendrite growth, thus achieving highly stable Zn metal anodes as validated in various cell configurations. We believe that our concept of gel electrolyte design will inspire more future directions for Zn metal anode protection based on gel electrolyte design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Wang
- Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xinzhi Liu
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering (BESE) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rui Ge
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering (BESE) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manola Moretti
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering (BESE) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jian Yin
- Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhiming Zhao
- Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alexander U Valle-Pérez
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering (BESE) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hao Liu
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering (BESE) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhengnan Tian
- Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tianchao Guo
- Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yunpei Zhu
- Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Charlotte A E Hauser
- Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Division of Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering (BESE) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Husam N Alshareef
- Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Xiang S, Guilbaud-Chéreau C, Hoschtettler P, Stefan L, Bianco A, Ménard-Moyon C. Preparation and optimization of agarose or polyacrylamide/amino acid-based double network hydrogels for photocontrolled drug release. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 255:127919. [PMID: 37944737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The high water content and biocompatibility of amino-acid-based supramolecular hydrogels have generated growing interest in drug delivery research. Nevertheless, the existing dominant approach of constructing such hydrogels, the exploitation of a single amino acid type, typically comes with several drawbacks such as weak mechanical properties and long gelation times, hindering their applications. Here, we design a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive double network (DN) structure, containing amino acids and different synthetic or natural polymers, i.e., polyacrylamide, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), agarose, or low-gelling agarose. The hydrogels displayed high mechanical strength and high drug-loading capacity. Adjusting the ratio of Fmoc-Tyr-OH/Fmoc-Tyr(Bzl)-OH or Fmoc-Phe-OH/Fmoc-Tyr(Bzl)-OH, we could drastically shorten the gelation time of the DN hydrogels at room and body temperatures. Moreover, introducing photothermal agents (graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, molybdenum disulfide nanosheets, or indocyanine green), we equipped the hydrogels with NIR responsivity. We demonstrated the light-triggered release of the drug baclofen, which is used in severe spasticity treatment. Rheology and stability tests confirmed the positive impact of the polymers on the mechanical strength of the hydrogels, while maintaining good stability under physiological conditions. Overall, our study contributed a novel hydrogel formulation with high mechanical resistance, rapid gel formation, and efficient NIR-controlled drug release, offering new opportunities for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyu Xiang
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Chloé Guilbaud-Chéreau
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Loïc Stefan
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPM, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Alberto Bianco
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Cécilia Ménard-Moyon
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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5
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Pandey G, Phatale V, Khairnar P, Kolipaka T, Shah S, Famta P, Jain N, Srinivasarao DA, Rajinikanth PS, Raghuvanshi RS, Srivastava S. Supramolecular self-assembled peptide-engineered nanofibers: A propitious proposition for cancer therapy. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 256:128452. [PMID: 38042321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a devastating disease that causes a substantial number of deaths worldwide. Current therapeutic interventions for cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. These conventional therapeutic approaches are associated with disadvantages such as multidrug resistance, destruction of healthy tissues, and tissue toxicity. Therefore, there is a paradigm shift in cancer management wherein nanomedicine-based novel therapeutic interventions are being explored to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. Supramolecular self-assembled peptide nanofibers are emerging drug delivery vehicles that have gained much attention in cancer management owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, biomimetic property, stimuli-responsiveness, transformability, and inherent therapeutic property. Supramolecules form well-organized structures via non-covalent linkages, the intricate molecular arrangement helps to improve tissue permeation, pharmacokinetic profile and chemical stability of therapeutic agents while enabling targeted delivery and allowing efficient tumor imaging. In this review, we present fundamental aspects of peptide-based self-assembled nanofiber fabrication their applications in monotherapy/combinatorial chemo- and/or immuno-therapy to overcome multi-drug resistance. The role of self-assembled structures in targeted/stimuli-responsive (pH, enzyme and photo-responsive) drug delivery has been discussed along with the case studies. Further, recent advancements in peptide nanofibers in cancer diagnosis, imaging, gene therapy, and immune therapy along with regulatory obstacles towards clinical translation have been deliberated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giriraj Pandey
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Vivek Phatale
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Pooja Khairnar
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Tejaswini Kolipaka
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Saurabh Shah
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Paras Famta
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Naitik Jain
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Dadi A Srinivasarao
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - P S Rajinikanth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, India
| | - Saurabh Srivastava
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Translational Research Lab (PITRL), Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India.
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6
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Buddhiraju HS, Yadav DN, Dey S, Eswar K, Padmakumar A, Rengan AK. Advances in Peptide-Decorated Targeted Drug Delivery: Exploring Therapeutic Potential and Nanocarrier Strategies. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023. [PMID: 37996391 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Peptides are ideal biologicals for targeted drug delivery and have also been increasingly employed as theranostic tools in treating various diseases, including cancer, with minimal or no side effects. Owing to their receptor-specificity, peptide-mediated drug delivery aids in targeted drug delivery with better pharmacological biodistribution. Nanostructured self-assembled peptides and peptide-drug conjugates demonstrate enhanced stability and performance and captivating biological effects in comparison with conventional peptides. Moreover, they serve as valuable tools for establishing interfaces between drug carriers and biological systems, enabling the traversal of multiple biological barriers encountered by peptide-drug conjugates on their journeys to their intended targets. Peptide-based drugs play a pivotal role in the field of medicine and hold great promise for addressing a wide range of complex diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Nanotechnology has revolutionized the fields of medicine, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, and engineering sciences over the past two decades. With the help of nanotechnology, better delivery of peptides to the target site could be achieved by exploiting the small size, increased surface area, and passive targeting ability of the nanocarrier. Furthermore, nanocarriers also ensure safe delivery of the peptide moieties to the target site, protecting them from degradation. Nanobased peptide delivery systems would be of significant importance in the near future for the successful targeted and efficient delivery of peptides. This review focuses on peptide-drug conjugates and nanoparticle-mediated self-assembled peptide delivery systems in cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hima Sree Buddhiraju
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Kandi 502 284, India
| | - Dokkari Nagalaxmi Yadav
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Kandi 502 284, India
| | - Sreenath Dey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Kandi 502 284, India
| | - Kalyani Eswar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Kandi 502 284, India
| | - Ananya Padmakumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Kandi 502 284, India
| | - Aravind Kumar Rengan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Kandi 502 284, India
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7
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Zhang J, Zhao D, Lu K. Mechanisms and influencing factors of peptide hydrogel formation and biomedicine applications of hydrogels. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7479-7493. [PMID: 37756117 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01057k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled peptide-based hydrogels have shown great potential in bio-related applications due to their porous structure, strong mechanical stability, high biocompatibility, and easy functionalization. Herein, the structure and characteristics of hydrogels and the mechanism of action of several regular secondary structures during gelation are investigated. The factors influencing the formation of peptide hydrogels, especially the pH responsiveness and salt ion induction are analyzed and summarized. Finally, the biomedical applications of peptide hydrogels, such as bone tissue engineering, cell culture, antigen presentation, antibacterial materials, and drug delivery are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Locus Street, High-Tech Industry Development Zone, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Dongxin Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Locus Street, High-Tech Industry Development Zone, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Kui Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Locus Street, High-Tech Industry Development Zone, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
- School of Chemical Engineering and Food Science, Zhengzhou University of Technology, Yingcai Road 18, Zhengzhou, 450044, Henan Province, China.
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Alletto P, Garcia AM, Marchesan S. Short Peptides for Hydrolase Supramolecular Mimicry and Their Potential Applications. Gels 2023; 9:678. [PMID: 37754360 PMCID: PMC10529927 DOI: 10.3390/gels9090678] [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] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrolases are enzymes that have found numerous applications in various industrial sectors spanning from pharmaceuticals to foodstuff and beverages, consumers' products such as detergents and personal care, textiles, and even for biodiesel production and environmental bioremediation. Self-assembling and gelling short peptides have been designed for their mimicry so that their supramolecular organization leads to the creation of hydrophobic pockets for catalysis to occur. Catalytic gels of this kind can also find numerous industrial applications to address important global challenges of our time. This concise review focuses on the last 5 years of progress in this fast-paced, popular field of research with an eye towards the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Alletto
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ana Maria Garcia
- Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Lv J, Wu Y, Cao Z, Liu X, Sun Y, Zhang P, Zhang X, Tang K, Cheng M, Yao Q, Zhu Y. Enhanced Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Repair Using Carbon Nanotube-Doped Peptide Hydrogel-Polycaprolactone Composite Scaffolds. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2145. [PMID: 37631359 PMCID: PMC10458387 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082145] [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] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A carbon nanotube-doped octapeptide self-assembled hydrogel (FEK/C) and a hydrogel-based polycaprolactone PCL composite scaffold (FEK/C3-S) were developed for cartilage and subchondral bone repair. The composite scaffold demonstrated modulated microstructure, mechanical properties, and conductivity by adjusting CNT concentration. In vitro evaluations showed enhanced cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration of articular cartilage cells, osteoblasts, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The composite scaffold exhibited good biocompatibility, low haemolysis rate, and high protein absorption capacity. It also promoted osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, with increased mineralization, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) secretion. The composite scaffold facilitated accelerated cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration in a rabbit knee joint defect model. Histological analysis revealed improved cartilage tissue formation and increased subchondral bone density. Notably, the FEK/C3-S composite scaffold exhibited the most significant cartilage and subchondral bone formation. The FEK/C3-S composite scaffold holds great promise for cartilage and subchondral bone repair. It offers enhanced mechanical support, conductivity, and bioactivity, leading to improved tissue regeneration. These findings contribute to the advancement of regenerative strategies for challenging musculoskeletal tissue defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Lv
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yilun Wu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Zhicheng Cao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Digital Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Xu Liu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yuzhi Sun
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Digital Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Po Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Digital Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Digital Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Kexin Tang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Min Cheng
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Qingqiang Yao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Digital Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Yishen Zhu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
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10
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Li S, Yu Q, Li H, Chen M, Jin Y, Liu D. Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogels in Regenerative Medicine. Gels 2023; 9:653. [PMID: 37623108 PMCID: PMC10453854 DOI: 10.3390/gels9080653] [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] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine is a complex discipline that is becoming a hot research topic. Skin, bone, and nerve regeneration dominate current treatments in regenerative medicine. A new type of drug is urgently needed for their treatment due to their high vulnerability to damage and weak self-repairing ability. A self-assembled peptide hydrogel is a good scaffolding material in regenerative medicine because it is similar to the cytoplasmic matrix environment; it promotes cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and division; and its degradation products are natural and harmless proteins. However, fewer studies have examined the specific mechanisms of self-assembled peptide hydrogels in promoting tissue regeneration. This review summarizes the applications and mechanisms of self-assembled short peptide and peptide hydrogels in skin, bone, and neural healing to improve their applications in tissue healing and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangyang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China; (S.L.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Qixuan Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China; (S.L.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Hongpeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China; (S.L.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Meiqi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China; (S.L.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Ye Jin
- Northeast Asia Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China; (S.L.); (Q.Y.); (H.L.); (M.C.)
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11
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Rosa E, de Mello L, Castelletto V, Dallas ML, Accardo A, Seitsonen J, Hamley IW. Cell Adhesion Motif-Functionalized Lipopeptides: Nanostructure and Selective Myoblast Cytocompatibility. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:213-224. [PMID: 36520063 PMCID: PMC9832505 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The conformation and self-assembly of four lipopeptides, peptide amphiphiles comprising peptides conjugated to lipid chains, in aqueous solution have been examined. The peptide sequence in all four lipopeptides contains the integrin cell adhesion RGDS motif, and the cytocompatibility of the lipopeptides is also analyzed. Lipopeptides have either tetradecyl (C14, myristyl) or hexadecyl (C16, palmitoyl) lipid chains and peptide sequence WGGRGDS or GGGRGDS, that is, with either a tryptophan-containing WGG or triglycine GGG tripeptide spacer between the bioactive peptide motif and the alkyl chain. All four lipopeptides self-assemble above a critical aggregation concentration (CAC), determined through several comparative methods using circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence. Spectroscopic methods [CD and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy] show the presence of β-sheet structures, consistent with the extended nanotape, helical ribbon, and nanotube structures observed by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The high-quality cryo-TEM images clearly show the coexistence of helically twisted ribbon and nanotube structures for C14-WGGRGDS, which highlight the mechanism of nanotube formation by the closure of the ribbons. Small-angle X-ray scattering shows that the nanotapes comprise highly interdigitated peptide bilayers, which are also present in the walls of the nanotubes. Hydrogel formation was observed at sufficiently high concentrations or could be induced by a heat/cool protocol at lower concentrations. Birefringence due to nematic phase formation was observed for several of the lipopeptides, along with spontaneous flow alignment of the lyotropic liquid crystal structure in capillaries. Cell viability assays were performed using both L929 fibroblasts and C2C12 myoblasts to examine the potential uses of the lipopeptides in tissue engineering, with a specific focus on application to cultured (lab-grown) meat, based on myoblast cytocompatibility. Indeed, significantly higher cytocompatibility of myoblasts was observed for all four lipopeptides compared to that for fibroblasts, in particular at a lipopeptide concentration below the CAC. Cytocompatibility could also be improved using hydrogels as cell supports for fibroblasts or myoblasts. Our work highlights that precision control of peptide sequences using bulky aromatic residues within "linker sequences" along with alkyl chain selection can be used to tune the self-assembled nanostructure. In addition, the RGDS-based lipopeptides show promise as materials for tissue engineering, especially those of muscle precursor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Rosa
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights,
Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AD, U.K.,Department
of Pharmacy and Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Lucas de Mello
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights,
Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AD, U.K.,Departamento
de Biofísica, Universidade Federal
de São Paulo, São
Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Valeria Castelletto
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights,
Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AD, U.K.
| | - Mark L. Dallas
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights,
Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AD, U.K.
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department
of Pharmacy and Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Jani Seitsonen
- Nanomicroscopy
Center, Aalto University, Puumiehenkuja 2, Espoo FIN-02150, Finland
| | - Ian W. Hamley
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights,
Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AD, U.K.,
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12
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Marchini A, Ciulla MG, Antonioli B, Agnoli A, Bovio U, Visnoviz V, Bertuzzi F, Gelain F. Long-term cultures of human pancreatic islets in self-assembling peptides hydrogels. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1105157. [PMID: 36911193 PMCID: PMC9995881 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1105157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pancreatic islets transplantation is an experimental therapeutic treatment for Type I Diabetes. Limited islets lifespan in culture remains the main drawback, due to the absence of native extracellular matrix as mechanical support after their enzymatic and mechanical isolation procedure. Extending the limited islets lifespan by creating a long-term in vitro culture remains a challenge. In this study, three biomimetic self-assembling peptides were proposed as potential candidates to recreate in vitro a pancreatic extracellular matrix, with the aim to mechanically and biologically support human pancreatic islets, by creating a three-dimensional culture system. The embedded human islets were analyzed for morphology and functionality in long-term cultures (14-and 28-days), by evaluating β-cells content, endocrine component, and extracellular matrix constituents. The three-dimensional support provided by HYDROSAP scaffold, and cultured into MIAMI medium, displayed a preserved islets functionality, a maintained rounded islets morphology and an invariable islets diameter up to 4 weeks, with results analogues to freshly-isolated islets. In vivo efficacy studies of the in vitro 3D cell culture system are ongoing; however, preliminary data suggest that human pancreatic islets pre-cultured for 2 weeks in HYDROSAP hydrogels and transplanted under subrenal capsule may restore normoglycemia in diabetic mice. Therefore, engineered self-assembling peptide scaffolds may provide a useful platform for long-term maintenance and preservation of functional human pancreatic islets in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Marchini
- Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Maria Gessica Ciulla
- Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.,Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Antonioli
- Tissue Bank and Tissue Therapy Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Agnoli
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Umberto Bovio
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federico Bertuzzi
- Department of Diabetology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gelain
- Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.,Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
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13
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Bassan GA, Marchesan S. Peptide-Based Materials That Exploit Metal Coordination. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010456. [PMID: 36613898 PMCID: PMC9820281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-ion coordination has been widely exploited to control the supramolecular behavior of a variety of building blocks into functional materials. In particular, peptides offer great chemical diversity for metal-binding modes, combined with inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability that make them attractive especially for medicine, sensing, and environmental remediation. The focus of this review is the last 5 years' progress in this exciting field to conclude with an overview of the future directions that this research area is currently undertaking.
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14
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Rosetti B, Scarel E, Colomina-Alfaro L, Adorinni S, Pierri G, Bellotto O, Mamprin K, Polentarutti M, Bandiera A, Tedesco C, Marchesan S. Self-Assembly of Homo- and Hetero-Chiral Cyclodipeptides into Supramolecular Polymers towards Antimicrobial Gels. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14214554. [PMID: 36365547 PMCID: PMC9654196 DOI: 10.3390/polym14214554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing interest towards the development of new antimicrobial coatings, especially in light of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) towards common antibiotics. Cyclodipeptides (CDPs) or diketopiperazines (DKPs) are attractive candidates for their ability to self-assemble into supramolecular polymers and yield gel coatings that do not persist in the environment. In this work, we compare the antimicrobial cyclo(Leu-Phe) with its heterochiral analogs cyclo(D-Leu-L-Phe) and cyclo(L-Leu-D-Phe), as well as cyclo(L-Phe-D-Phe), for their ability to gel. The compounds were synthesized, purified by HPLC, and characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and ESI-MS. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed details of the intermolecular interactions within the supramolecular polymers. The DKPs were then tested for their cytocompatibility on fibroblast cells and for their antimicrobial activity on S. aureus. Overall, DKPs displayed good cytocompatibility and very mild antimicrobial activity, which requires improvement towards applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Rosetti
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Erica Scarel
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Simone Adorinni
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pierri
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Ottavia Bellotto
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Kevin Mamprin
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Consiglia Tedesco
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.T.); (S.M.)
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15
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Development of Two-Layer Hybrid Scaffolds Based on Oxidized Polyvinyl Alcohol and Bioactivated Chitosan Sponges for Tissue Engineering Purposes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012059. [PMID: 36292917 PMCID: PMC9603651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (OxPVA) is a new polymer for the fabrication of nerve conduits (NCs). Looking for OxPVA device optimization and coupling it with a natural sheath may boost bioactivity. Thus, OxPVA/chitosan sponges (ChS) as hybrid scaffolds were investigated to predict in the vivo behaviour of two-layered NCs. To encourage interaction with cells, ChS were functionalized with the self-assembling-peptide (SAP) EAK, without/with the laminin-derived sequences -IKVAV/-YIGSR. Thus, ChS and the hybrid scaffolds were characterized for mechanical properties, ultrastructure (Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM), bioactivity, and biocompatibility. Regarding mechanical analysis, the peptide-free ChS showed the highest values of compressive modulus and maximum stress. However, among +EAK groups, ChS+EAK showed a significantly higher maximum stress than that found for ChS+EAK-IKVAV and ChS+EAK-YIGSR. Considering ultrastructure, microporous interconnections were tighter in both the OxPVA/ChS and +EAK groups than in the others; all the scaffolds induced SH-SY5Y cells’ adhesion/proliferation, with significant differences from day 7 and a higher total cell number for OxPVA/ChS+EAK scaffolds, in accordance with SEM. The scaffolds elicited only a slight inflammation after 14 days of subcutaneous implantation in Balb/c mice, proving biocompatibility. ChS porosity, EAK 3D features and neuro-friendly attitude (shared with IKVAV/YIGSR motifs) may confer to OxPVA certain bioactivity, laying the basis for future appealing NCs.
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16
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Cyclodipeptides: From Their Green Synthesis to Anti-Age Activity. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102342. [PMID: 36289604 PMCID: PMC9598056 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclodipeptides (CDPs) or diketopiperazines (DKPs) are often found in nature and in foodstuff and beverages and have attracted great interest for their bioactivities, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. In the laboratory, they can be prepared by green procedures, such as microwave-assisted cyclization of linear dipeptides in water, as performed in this study. In particular, five CDPs were prepared and characterized by a variety of methods, including NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopies and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), and their cytocompatibility and anti-aging activity was tested in vitro, as well as their ability to penetrate the different layers of the skin. Although their mechanism of action remains to be elucidated, this proof-of-concept study lays the basis for their future use in anti-age cosmetic applications.
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