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Mohammed-Sadhakathullah AHM, Paulo-Mirasol S, Torras J, Armelin E. Advances in Functionalization of Bioresorbable Nanomembranes and Nanoparticles for Their Use in Biomedicine. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10312. [PMID: 37373461 PMCID: PMC10299464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioresorbable nanomembranes (NMs) and nanoparticles (NPs) are powerful polymeric materials playing an important role in biomedicine, as they can effectively reduce infections and inflammatory clinical patient conditions due to their high biocompatibility, ability to physically interact with biomolecules, large surface area, and low toxicity. In this review, the most common bioabsorbable materials such as those belonging to natural polymers and proteins for the manufacture of NMs and NPs are reviewed. In addition to biocompatibility and bioresorption, current methodology on surface functionalization is also revisited and the most recent applications are highlighted. Considering the most recent use in the field of biosensors, tethered lipid bilayers, drug delivery, wound dressing, skin regeneration, targeted chemotherapy and imaging/diagnostics, functionalized NMs and NPs have become one of the main pillars of modern biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahammed H. M. Mohammed-Sadhakathullah
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.2, 08019 Barcelona, Spain; (A.H.M.M.-S.); (S.P.-M.)
- Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.S, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sofia Paulo-Mirasol
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.2, 08019 Barcelona, Spain; (A.H.M.M.-S.); (S.P.-M.)
- Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.S, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Torras
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.2, 08019 Barcelona, Spain; (A.H.M.M.-S.); (S.P.-M.)
- Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.S, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elaine Armelin
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.2, 08019 Barcelona, Spain; (A.H.M.M.-S.); (S.P.-M.)
- Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I.S, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Sharma A, Sharma P, Roy S. Elastin-inspired supramolecular hydrogels: a multifaceted extracellular matrix protein in biomedical engineering. Soft Matter 2021; 17:3266-3290. [PMID: 33730140 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm02202k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The phenomenal advancement in regenerative medicines has led to the development of bioinspired materials to fabricate a biomimetic artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) to support cellular survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Researchers have diligently developed protein polymers consisting of functional sequences of amino acids evolved in nature. Nowadays, certain repetitive bioinspired polymers are treated as an alternative to synthetic polymers due to their unique properties like biodegradability, easy scale-up, biocompatibility, and non-covalent molecular associations which imparts tunable supramolecular architecture to these materials. In this direction, elastin has been identified as a potential scaffold that renders extensibility and elasticity to the tissues. Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are artificial repetitive polymers that exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in a particular environment than synthetic polymers and hence have gained extensive interest in the fabrication of stimuli-responsive biomaterials. This review discusses in detail the unique structural aspects of the elastin and its soluble precursor, tropoelastin. Furthermore, the versatility of elastin-like peptides is discussed through numerous examples that bolster the significance of elastin in the field of regenerative medicines such as wound care, cardiac tissue engineering, ocular disorders, bone tissue regeneration, etc. Finally, the review highlights the importance of exploring short elastin-mimetic peptides to recapitulate the structural and functional aspects of elastin for advanced healthcare applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archita Sharma
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector 81, Knowledge City, Mohali, 140306, Punjab, India.
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Dandurand J, Dantras E, Lacabanne C, Pepe A, Bochicchio B, Samouillan V. Thermal and dielectric fingerprints of self-assembling elastin peptides derived from exon30. AIMS Biophysics 2021. [DOI: 10.3934/biophy.2021018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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4
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Uversky VN. Paradoxes and wonders of intrinsic disorder: Stability of instability. Intrinsically Disord Proteins 2017; 5:e1327757. [PMID: 30250771 DOI: 10.1080/21690707.2017.1327757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This article continues a series of short comments on the paradoxes and wonders of the protein intrinsic disorder phenomenon by introducing the "stability of instability" paradox. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are characterized by the lack of stable 3D-structure, and, as a result, have an exceptional ability to sustain exposure to extremely harsh environmental conditions (an illustration of the "you cannot break what is already broken" principle). Extended IDPs are known to possess extreme thermal and acid stability and are able either to keep their functionality under these extreme conditions or to rapidly regain their functionality after returning to the normal conditions. Furthermore, sturdiness of intrinsic disorder and its capability to "ignore" harsh conditions provides some interesting and important advantages to its carriers, at the molecular (e.g., the cell wall-anchored accumulation-associated protein playing a crucial role in intercellular adhesion within the biofilm of Staphylococcus epidermidis), supramolecular (e.g., protein complexes, biologic liquid-liquid phase transitions, and proteinaceous membrane-less organelles), and organismal levels (e.g., the recently popularized case of the microscopic animals, tardigrades, or water bears, that use intrinsically disordered proteins to survive desiccation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.,Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
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5
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Minardi S, Taraballi F, Wang X, Cabrera FJ, Van Eps JL, Robbins AB, Sandri M, Moreno MR, Weiner BK, Tasciotti E. Biomimetic collagen/elastin meshes for ventral hernia repair in a rat model. Acta Biomater 2017; 50:165-177. [PMID: 27872012 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ventral hernia repair remains a major clinical need. Herein, we formulated a type I collagen/elastin crosslinked blend (CollE) for the fabrication of biomimetic meshes for ventral hernia repair. To evaluate the effect of architecture on the performance of the implants, CollE was formulated both as flat sheets (CollE Sheets) and porous scaffolds (CollE Scaffolds). The morphology, hydrophylicity and in vitro degradation were assessed by SEM, water contact angle and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The stiffness of the meshes was determined using a constant stretch rate uniaxial tensile test, and compared to that of native tissue. CollE Sheets and Scaffolds were tested in vitro with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-BM-MSC), and finally implanted in a rat ventral hernia model. Neovascularization and tissue regeneration within the implants was evaluated at 6weeks, by histology, immunofluorescence, and q-PCR. It was found that CollE Sheets and Scaffolds were not only biomechanically sturdy enough to provide immediate repair of the hernia defect, but also promoted tissue restoration in only 6weeks. In fact, the presence of elastin enhanced the neovascularization in both sheets and scaffolds. Overall, CollE Scaffolds displayed mechanical properties more closely resembling those of native tissue, and induced higher gene expression of the entire marker genes tested, associated with de novo matrix deposition, angiogenesis, adipogenesis and skeletal muscles, compared to CollE Sheets. Altogether, this data suggests that the improved mechanical properties and bioactivity of CollE Sheets and Scaffolds make them valuable candidates for applications of ventral hernia repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Due to the elevated annual number of ventral hernia repair in the US, the lack of successful grafts, the design of innovative biomimetic meshes has become a prime focus in tissue engineering, to promote the repair of the abdominal wall, avoid recurrence. Our meshes (CollE Sheets and Scaffolds) not only showed promising mechanical performance, but also allowed for an efficient neovascularization, resulting in new adipose and muscle tissue formation within the implant, in only 6weeks. In addition, our meshes allowed for the use of the same surgical procedure utilized in clinical practice, with the commercially available grafts. This study represents a significant step in the design of bioactive acellular off-the-shelf biomimetic meshes for ventral hernia repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Minardi
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA; National Research Council of Italy - Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics (ISTEC-CNR), Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, RA, Italy
| | - Francesca Taraballi
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fernando J Cabrera
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Van Eps
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrew B Robbins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University (TAMU), 401 Joe Routt Blvd, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Monica Sandri
- National Research Council of Italy - Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics (ISTEC-CNR), Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, RA, Italy
| | - Michael R Moreno
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University (TAMU), 401 Joe Routt Blvd, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University (TAMU), 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Orthopedics, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6565 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bradley K Weiner
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Orthopedics, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6565 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ennio Tasciotti
- Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Orthopedics, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6565 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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6
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Bochicchio B, Bracalello A, Pepe A. Characterization of a Crosslinked Elastomeric-Protein Inspired Polypeptide. Chirality 2016; 28:606-11. [PMID: 27403636 DOI: 10.1002/chir.22619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Materials inspired by natural proteins have a great appeal in tissue engineering for their biocompatibility and similarity to extracellular matrix (ECM). Chimeric polypeptides inspired by elastomeric proteins such as silk, elastin, and collagen are of outstanding interest in the field. A recombinant polypeptide constituted of three different blocks, each of them having sequences derived from elastin, resilin, and collagen proteins, was demonstrated to be a good candidate as biomaterial for its self-assembling characteristics and biocompatibility. Herein, taking advantage of the primary amine functionalities present in the linear polypeptide, we crosslinked it with 1,6-hexamethylene-diisocyanate (HMDI). The characterization of the obtained polypeptide was realized by CD spectroscopy, AFM, and SEM microscopies. The obtained results, although not conclusive, demonstrate that the crosslinked polypeptide gave rise to porous networks, thin nanowires, and films not observable for the linear polypeptide. Chirality 28:606-611, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigida Bochicchio
- Laboratory of Protein-Inspired Materials, Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Angelo Bracalello
- Laboratory of Protein-Inspired Materials, Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Antonietta Pepe
- Laboratory of Protein-Inspired Materials, Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
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7
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Le DHT, Okubo T, Sugawara-Narutaki A. Beaded nanofibers assembled from double-hydrophobic elastin-like block polypeptides: Effects of trifluoroethanol. Biopolymers 2016; 103:175-85. [PMID: 25363567 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A "double-hydrophobic" elastin-like triblock polypeptide GPG has been constructed by mimicking the localization of proline- and glycine-rich hydrophobic domains of native elastin, a protein that provides elasticity and resilience to connective tissues. In this study, the effects of trifluoroethanol (TFE), an organic solvent that strongly affects secondary structures of polypeptides on self-assembly of GPG in aqueous solutions were systematically studied. Beaded nanofiber formation of GPG, where nanoparticles are initially formed by coacervation of the polypeptides followed by their connection into one-dimensional nanostructures, is accelerated by the addition of TFE at the concentrations up to 30% (v/v), whereas aggregates of nanoparticles are formed at 60% TFE. The concentration-dependent assembly pattern discussed is based on the influence of TFE on the secondary structures of GPG. Well-defined nanofibers whose diameter and secondary structures are controlled by TFE concentration may be ideal building blocks for constructing bioelastic materials in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc H T Le
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
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8
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Abstract
Recent strides in the development of multifunctional synthetic biomimetic materials through the self-assembly of multi-domain peptides and proteins over the past decade have been realized. Such engineered systems have wide-ranging application in bioengineering and medicine. This review focuses on fundamental fiber forming α-helical coiled-coil peptides, peptide amphiphiles, and amyloid-based self-assembling peptides; followed by higher order collagen- and elastin-mimetic peptides with an emphasis on chemical / biological characterization and biomimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Satoko M Kanahara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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9
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Abstract
The self-assembly of an elastin-inspired triblock peptide into nanospheres highlights the important role of conformational flexibility and π–π stacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Scelsi
- Department of Science
- University of Basilicata
- 85100 Potenza
- Italy
- School of Materials and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
| | - B. Bochicchio
- Department of Science
- University of Basilicata
- 85100 Potenza
- Italy
| | - A. Smith
- School of Materials and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
- The University of Manchester
- Manchester
- UK
| | - A. Saiani
- School of Materials and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
- The University of Manchester
- Manchester
- UK
| | - A. Pepe
- Department of Science
- University of Basilicata
- 85100 Potenza
- Italy
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10
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Mouw JK, Ou G, Weaver VM. Extracellular matrix assembly: a multiscale deconstruction. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2014; 15:771-85. [PMID: 25370693 DOI: 10.1038/nrm3902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tissue-specific cell behaviour. The molecules that are associated with the ECM of each tissue, including collagens, proteoglycans, laminins and fibronectin, and the manner in which they are assembled determine the structure and the organization of the resultant ECM. The product is a specific ECM signature that is comprised of unique compositional and topographical features that both reflect and facilitate the functional requirements of the tissue.
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Abstract
The biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tissue-specific cell behaviour. The molecules that are associated with the ECM of each tissue, including collagens, proteoglycans, laminins and fibronectin, and the manner in which they are assembled determine the structure and the organization of the resultant ECM. The product is a specific ECM signature that is comprised of unique compositional and topographical features that both reflect and facilitate the functional requirements of the tissue.
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12
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Abstract
The biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tissue-specific cell behaviour. The molecules that are associated with the ECM of each tissue, including collagens, proteoglycans, laminins and fibronectin, and the manner in which they are assembled determine the structure and the organization of the resultant ECM. The product is a specific ECM signature that is comprised of unique compositional and topographical features that both reflect and facilitate the functional requirements of the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna K Mouw
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Guanqing Ou
- 1] Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco. [2] University of California San Francisco and University of California Berkeley Joint Graduate Group in Bioengineering, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Valerie M Weaver
- 1] Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco. [2] Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco. [3] Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco. [4] Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco. [5] UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
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Bochicchio B, Laurita A, Heinz A, Schmelzer CEH, Pepe A. Investigating the role of (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline in elastin model peptides. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:4278-88. [PMID: 24127724 DOI: 10.1021/bm4011529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications play a key role in defining the biological functions of proteins. Among them, the hydroxylation of proline producing the (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline (Hyp) is one of the most frequent modifications observed in vertebrates, being particularly abundant in the proteins of the extracellular matrix. In collagen, hydroxylation of proline plays a critical role, conferring the correct structure and mechanical strength to collagen fibers. In elastin, the exact role of this modification is not yet understood. Here we show that Hyp-containing elastin polypeptides have flexible molecular structures, analogously to proline-containing polypeptides. In turn, the self-assembly of the elastin peptides is significantly altered by the presence of Hyp, evidencing different supramolecular structures. Also the in vitro susceptibility to protease digestion is changed. These findings give a better insight into the elastic fiber formation and degradation processes in the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, our results could contribute in defining the subtle role of proline structural variants in the folding and self-assembly of elastin-inspired peptides, helping the rational design of elastin biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigida Bochicchio
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata , Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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14
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Abstract
Elastin is an extracellular matrix protein responsible for the elastic properties of organs and tissues, the elastic properties being conferred to the protein by the presence of elastic fibers. In the perspective of producing tailor-made biomaterials of potential interest in nanotechnology and biotechnology fields, we report a study on an elastin-derived polypeptide. The choice of the polypeptide sequence encoded by exon 6 of Human Tropoelastin Gene is dictated by the peculiar sequence of the polypeptide. As a matter of fact, analogously to elastin, it is constituted of a hydrophobic region (GLGAFPAVTFPGALVPGG) and of a more hydrophilic region rich of lysine and alanine residues (VADAAAAYKAAKA). The role played by the two different regions in triggering the adoption of beta-turn and beta-sheet conformations is herein discussed and demonstrated to be crucial for the self-aggregation properties of the polypeptide.
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Le DHT, Hanamura R, Pham DH, Kato M, Tirrell DA, Okubo T, Sugawara-Narutaki A. Self-assembly of elastin-mimetic double hydrophobic polypeptides. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:1028-34. [PMID: 23495825 DOI: 10.1021/bm301887m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have constructed a novel class of "double-hydrophobic" block polypeptides based on the hydrophobic domains found in native elastin, an extracellular matrix protein responsible for the elasticity and resilience of tissues. The block polypeptides comprise proline-rich poly(VPGXG) and glycine-rich poly(VGGVG), both of which dehydrate at higher temperature but form distinct secondary structures, β-turn and β-sheet respectively. In water at 45 °C, the block polypeptides initially assemble into nanoparticles rich in β-turn structures, which further connect into long (>10 μm), beaded nanofibers along with the increase in the β-sheet content. The nanofibers obtained are well-dispersed in water, and show thermoresponsive properties. Polypeptides comprising each block component assemble into different morphologies, showing that the conjugation of poly(VPGXG) and poly(VGGVG) plays a role for beaded fiber formation. These results may provide innovative ideas for designing peptide-based materials but also opportunities for developing novel materials useful for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc H T Le
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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Yeo GC, Keeley FW, Weiss AS. Coacervation of tropoelastin. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2011; 167:94-103. [PMID: 21081222 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2010.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2010] [Revised: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The coacervation of tropoelastin represents the first major stage of elastic fiber assembly. The process has been modeled in vitro by numerous studies, initially with mixtures of solubilized elastin, and subsequently with synthetic elastin peptides that represent hydrophobic repeat units, isolated hydrophobic domains, segments of alternating hydrophobic and cross-linking domains, or the full-length monomer. Tropoelastin coacervation in vitro is characterized by two stages: an initial phase separation, which involves a reversible inverse temperature transition of monomer to n-mer; and maturation, which is defined by the irreversible coalescence of coacervates into large species with fibrillar structures. Coacervation is an intrinsic ability of tropoelastin. It is primarily influenced by the number, sequence, and contextual arrangement of hydrophobic domains, although hydrophilic sequences can also affect the behavior of the hydrophobic domains and thus affect coacervation. External conditions including ionic strength, pH, and temperature also directly influence the propensity of tropoelastin to self-associate. Coacervation is an endothermic, entropically-driven process driven by the cooperative interactions of hydrophobic domains following destabilization of the clathrate-like water shielding these regions. The formation of such assemblies is believed to follow a helical nucleation model of polymerization. Coacervation is closely associated with conformational transitions of the monomer, such as increased β-structures in hydrophobic domains and α-helices in cross-linking domains. Tropoelastin coacervation in vivo is thought to mainly involve the central hydrophobic domains. In addition, cell-surface glycosaminoglycans and microfibrillar proteins may regulate the process. Coacervation is essential for progression to downstream elastogenic stages, and impairment of the process can result in elastin haploinsufficiency disorders such as supravalvular aortic stenosis.
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Dash BC, Mahor S, Carroll O, Mathew A, Wang W, Woodhouse KA, Pandit A. Tunable elastin-like polypeptide hollow sphere as a high payload and controlled delivery gene depot. J Control Release 2011; 152:382-92. [PMID: 21397644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembly driven processes can be utilized to produce a variety of nanostructures useful for various in vitro and in vivo applications. Characteristics such as size, stability, biocompatibility, high therapeutic loading and controlled delivery of these nanostructures are particularly crucial in relation to in vivo applications. In this study, we report the fabrication of tunable monodispersed elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) hollow spheres of 100, 300, 500 and 1000 nm by exploiting the self-assembly property and net positive charge of ELP. The microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) cross-linking provided robustness and stability to the hollow spheres while maintaining surface functional groups for further modifications. The resulting hollow spheres showed a higher loading efficiency of plasmid DNA (pDNA) by using polyplex (~70 μg pDNA/mg of hollow sphere) than that of self-assembled ELP particles and demonstrated controlled release triggered by protease and elastase. Moreover, polyplex-loaded hollow spheres showed better cell viability than polyplex alone and yielded higher luciferase expression by providing protection against endosomal degradation. Overall, the monodispersed, tunable hollow spheres with a capability of post-functionalization can provide an exciting new opportunity for use in a range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biraja C Dash
- Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), National University of Ireland, Galway, Newcastle Road, Dangan, Galway
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Abstract
Abstract
Objective
There is a growing interest in developing bioresponsive drug delivery systems to achieve greater control over drug release than can be achieved with the conventional diffusion controlled polymeric delivery systems. While a number of such systems have been studied for oral or parenteral delivery, little or no work has been done on bioresponsive delivery systems for inhalation. Using the raised elastase levels present at sites of lung inflammation as a proof-of-concept model, we endeavoured to develop a prototype of inhalable elastase sensitive microparticles (ESMs).
Methods
Microparticles degradable by the enzyme elastase were formed by crosslinking the polymer alginate in the presence of an elastase substrate, elastin, using Ca+2 ions and subsequent spray drying.
Key findings
The bioresponsive release of a protein cargo in the presence of elastase demonstrated the enzyme-specific degradability of the particles. The microparticles showed favorable properties such as high drug encapsulation and good powder dispersibility. Potential polymer toxicity in the lungs was assessed by impinging the microparticles on Calu-3 cell monolayers and assessing changes in transepithelial permeability and induction of cytokine release. The microparticles displayed no toxic or immunogenic effects.
Conclusions
With a manufacturing method that is amenable to scale-up, the ability to be aerosolised efficiently from a first-generation inhaler device, enzyme-specific degradability and lack of toxicity, the ESMs show significant promise as pulmonary drug carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Sivadas
- School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, York House, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sally-Ann Cryan
- School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, York House, Dublin, Ireland
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19
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Muiznieks LD, Keeley FW. Proline periodicity modulates the self-assembly properties of elastin-like polypeptides. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:39779-89. [PMID: 20947499 PMCID: PMC3000959 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.164467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin is a self-assembling protein of the extracellular matrix that provides tissues with elastic extensibility and recoil. The monomeric precursor, tropoelastin, is highly hydrophobic yet remains substantially disordered and flexible in solution, due in large part to a high combined threshold of proline and glycine residues within hydrophobic sequences. In fact, proline-poor elastin-like sequences are known to form amyloid-like fibrils, rich in β-structure, from solution. On this basis, it is clear that hydrophobic elastin sequences are in general optimized to avoid an amyloid fate. However, a small number of hydrophobic domains near the C terminus of tropoelastin are substantially depleted of proline residues. Here we investigated the specific contribution of proline number and spacing to the structure and self-assembly propensities of elastin-like polypeptides. Increasing the spacing between proline residues significantly decreased the ability of polypeptides to reversibly self-associate. Real-time imaging of the assembly process revealed the presence of smaller colloidal droplets that displayed enhanced propensity to cluster into dense networks. Structural characterization showed that these aggregates were enriched in β-structure but unable to bind thioflavin-T. These data strongly support a model where proline-poor regions of the elastin monomer provide a unique contribution to assembly and suggest a role for localized β-sheet in mediating self-assembly interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D. Muiznieks
- From the Molecular Structure and Function Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8 and
| | - Fred W. Keeley
- From the Molecular Structure and Function Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8 and
- the Department of Biochemistry, the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
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20
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Tamburro AM, Lorusso M, Ibris N, Pepe A, Bochicchio B. Investigating by circular dichroism some amyloidogenic elastin-derived polypeptides. Chirality 2010; 22 Suppl 1:E56-66. [DOI: 10.1002/chir.20869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Abstract
Elastin is a self-assembling, extracellular-matrix protein that is the major provider of tissue elasticity. Here we review structural studies of elastin from over four decades, and draw together evidence for solution flexibility and conformational disorder that is inherent in all levels of structural organization. The characterization of disorder is consistent with an entropy-driven mechanism of elastic recoil. We conclude that conformational disorder is a constitutive feature of elastin structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Muiznieks
- Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
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Abstract
The author describes, in a quite unconventional way, the most important results achieved in the last 50 years in the field of elastin structure–elasticity relationships, beginning with the first invaluable findings of Partridge on desmosines and isodesmosines until the most recent theories on elastomeric proteins. The author also relates a scientific autobiography characterized by his greatest passion, elastin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio M Tamburro
- University of Basilicata, Department of Chemistry, Via N. Sauro 85, 85100 Potenza, Italy
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23
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Green E, Ellis R, Winlove P. The molecular structure and physical properties of elastin fibers as revealed by Raman microspectroscopy. Biopolymers 2008; 89:931-40. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.21037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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24
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Pepe A, Flamia R, Guerra D, Quaglino D, Bochicchio B, Pasquali Ronchetti I, Tamburro AM. Exon 26-coded polypeptide: An isolated hydrophobic domain of human tropoelastin able to self-assemble in vitro. Matrix Biol 2008; 27:441-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2008.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2008] [Revised: 02/07/2008] [Accepted: 02/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
Tropoelastin is a 60-72 kDa alternatively spliced extracellular matrix protein and a key component of elastic fibres. It is found in all vertebrates except for cyclostomes. Secreted tropoelastin is tethered to the cell surface, where it aggregates into organised spheres for cross-linking and incorporation into growing elastic fibres. Tropoelastin is characterised by alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains and is highly flexible. The conserved C-terminus is an area of the molecule of particular biological importance in that it is required for both incorporation into elastin and for cellular interactions. Mature cross-linked tropoelastin gives elastin, which confers resilience and elasticity on a diverse range of tissues. Elastin gene disruptions in disease states and knockout mice emphasise the importance of proper tropoelastin production and assembly, particularly in vascular tissue. Tropoelastin constructs hold promise as biomaterials as they mimic many of elastin's physical and biological properties with the capacity to replace damaged elastin-rich tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G Wise
- School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Osborne JL, Farmer R, Woodhouse KA. Self-assembled elastin-like polypeptide particles. Acta Biomater 2008; 4:49-57. [PMID: 17881311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2007.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2007] [Revised: 06/25/2007] [Accepted: 07/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the self-assembly of a recombinant elastin-based block copolymer containing both hydrophobic and cross-linking domains from the human elastin protein was investigated. The particle formation and dynamic behavior were characterized using inverted microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The morphology and stability were evaluated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Above a critical temperature the molecules self-assembled into a bimodal distribution of nano- and micron-sized particles. The larger particles increased in size through coalescence. Micron-sized particle formation appeared largely reversible, although a self-assembly/disassembly hysteresis was observed. At high polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations particle coalescence and settling were reduced, particle stability seemed enhanced and PEG coated the particles. Particle stabilization was also achieved through covalent cross-linking using glutaraldehyde. This study laid the foundation for optimization of particle size and stability through modification of the solvent system and has shown that this family of elastin-based polypeptides holds potential for use as particulate drug carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill L Osborne
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Canada M5S 3E5
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