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Juković M, Ratkaj I, Kalafatovic D, Bradshaw NJ. Amyloids, amorphous aggregates and assemblies of peptides - Assessing aggregation. Biophys Chem 2024; 308:107202. [PMID: 38382283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid and amorphous aggregates represent the two major categories of aggregates associated with diseases, and although exhibiting distinct features, researchers often treat them as equivalent, which demonstrates the need for more thorough characterization. Here, we compare amyloid and amorphous aggregates based on their biochemical properties, kinetics, and morphological features. To further decipher this issue, we propose the use of peptide self-assemblies as minimalistic models for understanding the aggregation process. Peptide building blocks are significantly smaller than proteins that participate in aggregation, however, they make a plausible means to bridge the gap in discerning the aggregation process at the more complex, protein level. Additionally, we explore the potential use of peptide-inspired models to research the liquid-liquid phase separation as a feasible mechanism preceding amyloid formation. Connecting these concepts can help clarify our understanding of aggregation-related disorders and potentially provide novel drug targets to impede and reverse these serious illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Juković
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ivana Ratkaj
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Daniela Kalafatovic
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Nicholas J Bradshaw
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
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2
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Ahmadi M, Sabzini M, Rastgordani S, Farazin A. Optimizing Wound Healing: Examining the Influence of Biopolymers Through a Comprehensive Review of Nanohydrogel-Embedded Nanoparticles in Advancing Regenerative Medicine. INT J LOW EXTR WOUND 2024:15347346241244890. [PMID: 38619304 DOI: 10.1177/15347346241244890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Nanohydrogel wound healing refers to the use of nanotechnology-based hydrogel materials to promote the healing of wounds. Hydrogel dressings are made up of a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water or other fluids. Nanohydrogels take this concept further by incorporating nanoscale particles or structures into the hydrogel matrix. These nanoparticles can be made of various materials, such as silver, zinc oxide, or nanoparticles derived from natural substances like chitosan. The inclusion of nanoparticles can provide additional properties and benefits to the hydrogel dressings. Nanohydrogels can be designed to release bioactive substances, such as growth factors or drugs, in a controlled manner. This allows for targeted delivery of therapeutics to the wound site, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Nanoparticles can reinforce the structure of hydrogels, improving their mechanical strength and stability. Nanohydrogels often incorporate antimicrobial nanoparticles, such as silver or zinc oxide. These nanoparticles have shown effective antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. By incorporating them into hydrogel dressings, nanohydrogels can help prevent or reduce the risk of infection in wounds. Nanohydrogels can be designed to encapsulate and release bioactive substances, such as growth factors, peptides, or drugs, in a controlled and sustained manner. This targeted delivery of therapeutic agents promotes wound healing by facilitating cell proliferation, reducing inflammation, and supporting tissue regeneration. The unique properties of nanohydrogels, including their ability to maintain a moist environment and deliver bioactive agents, can help accelerate the wound healing process. By creating an optimal environment for cell growth and tissue repair, nanohydrogels can promote faster and more efficient healing of wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Ahmadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Sabzini
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Rastgordani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA
| | - Ashkan Farazin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA
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3
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Najafi H, Farahavar G, Jafari M, Abolmaali SS, Azarpira N, Tamaddon AM. Harnessing the Potential of Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogels for Neural Regeneration and Tissue Engineering. Macromol Biosci 2024:e2300534. [PMID: 38547473 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and neurosurgery procedures usually lead to neural tissue damage. Self-assembled peptide (SAP) hydrogels, a type of innovative hierarchical nanofiber-forming peptide sequences serving as hydrogelators, have emerged as a promising solution for repairing tissue defects and promoting neural tissue regeneration. SAPs possess numerous features, such as adaptable morphologies, biocompatibility, injectability, tunable mechanical stability, and mimicking of the native extracellular matrix. This review explores the capacity of neural cell regeneration and examines the critical aspects of SAPs in neuroregeneration, including their biochemical composition, topology, mechanical behavior, conductivity, and degradability. Additionally, it delves into the latest strategies involving SAPs for central or peripheral neural tissue engineering. Finally, the prospects of SAP hydrogel design and development in the realm of neuroregeneration are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haniyeh Najafi
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Ghazal Farahavar
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Jafari
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Samira Sadat Abolmaali
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71937-11351, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammad Tamaddon
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
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Shao T, Noroozifar M, Kraatz HB. Divalent metal ion modulation of a simple peptide-based hydrogel: self-assembly and viscoelastic properties. Soft Matter 2024; 20:2720-2729. [PMID: 38454905 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01544k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Peptide self-assembly has been highly studied to understand the pathways in forming higher order structures along with the development and application of resulting hydrogel materials. Driven by noncovalent interactions, peptide hydrogels are stimuli-responsive to any addition to its gelling conditions. Here, a Phe-His based peptide, C14-FH(Trt)-OH, was synthesized and characterized with 1H NMR, FT-IR, MS, UV-vis spectroscopies and elemental analysis. Based on SEM imaging, the dipeptide conjugate was capable of forming a nanofibrous, interconnected network encapsulating buffer to produce a supramolecular hydrogel. Through the addition of Zn2+ and Cu2+, there is a clear change in the self-assembled nanostructures characterized through SEM. With this effect on self-assembly follows a change in the viscoelastic properties of the material, as determined through rheological frequency sweeps, with 2 and 3 orders of magnitude decreases in the elastic modulus G' in the presence of Zn2+ and Cu2+ respectively. This highlights the tunability of soft material properties with peptide design and self-assembly, through metal ions and Nδ-directed coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuimy Shao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, M5S 3H6, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4, Scarborough, Canada.
| | - Meissam Noroozifar
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4, Scarborough, Canada.
| | - Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, M5S 3H6, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4, Scarborough, Canada.
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Enyedi KN, Basa B, Mező G, Lajkó E. Photoinduced Hydrogel-Forming Caged Peptides with Improved Solubility. ACS Omega 2024; 9:6894-6900. [PMID: 38371799 PMCID: PMC10870261 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Self-assembling peptides are attractive alternatives in the field of biomaterial science due to their variability and biocompatibility. Unfortunately, such peptides have poor solubility, and their purification, synthesis, and overall handling are challenging. Our main objective was to develop a cage peptide design with full control over self-assembly. Theoretically, aggregation can be suppressed by temporally masking the amino acid side chains at critical positions. Taking into account several biological and synthetic requirements, a photosensitive protecting group, p-hydroxy-phenacyl (pHP), was chosen as the "masking" moiety. To test our theory, EAK16-II was chosen as a model self-assembling peptide, and a caged derivative containing photosensitive pHP groups was synthesized. Both spectroscopic and in vitro experiments on A2058 melanoma cells confirmed our hypothesis that the caged-EAK16-II peptide has good solubility and that the hydrogel formed after photolysis results in similar viability and cell aggregate formation of melanoma cells as the native EAK16-II-based hydrogel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kata N. Enyedi
- Faculty
of Science, Institute of Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter
sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE
Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös
Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bettina Basa
- Faculty
of Science, Institute of Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter
sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE
Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös
Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Mező
- Faculty
of Science, Institute of Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter
sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE
Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös
Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Lajkó
- Department
of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis
University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
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Zheng BD, Gan L, Tian LY, Chen GH. Protein/polysaccharide-based hydrogels loaded probiotic-mediated therapeutic systems: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126841. [PMID: 37696368 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The natural characteristics of protein/polysaccharide-based hydrogels, as a potential drug delivery platform, have attracted extensive attention. Probiotics have attracted renewed interest in drug research because of their beneficial effects on host health. The idea of using probiotics loaded on protein/polysaccharide-based hydrogels as potential drugs to treat different diseases has been put forward and shows great prospects. Based on this, in this review, we highlight the design strategy of hydrogels loaded probiotic-mediated therapy systems and review the potential diseases that have been proved to be treatable in the laboratory, including promoting wound healing and improving intestinal health and vaginal health, and discuss the challenges existing in the current design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-De Zheng
- College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Lei Gan
- College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Li-Yuan Tian
- College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Guan-Hong Chen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
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7
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Aqel S, Al-Thani N, Haider MZ, Abdelhady S, Al Thani AA, Kobeissy F, Shaito AA. Biomaterials in Traumatic Brain Injury: Perspectives and Challenges. Biology (Basel) 2023; 13:21. [PMID: 38248452 PMCID: PMC10813103 DOI: 10.3390/biology13010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and long-term impairment globally. TBI has a dynamic pathology, encompassing a variety of metabolic and molecular events that occur in two phases: primary and secondary. A forceful external blow to the brain initiates the primary phase, followed by a secondary phase that involves the release of calcium ions (Ca2+) and the initiation of a cascade of inflammatory processes, including mitochondrial dysfunction, a rise in oxidative stress, activation of glial cells, and damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), resulting in paracellular leakage. Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs for TBI, but existing approaches rely on delivering micro- and macromolecular treatments, which are constrained by the BBB, poor retention, off-target toxicity, and the complex pathology of TBI. Therefore, there is a demand for innovative and alternative therapeutics with effective delivery tactics for the diagnosis and treatment of TBI. Tissue engineering, which includes the use of biomaterials, is one such alternative approach. Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, including self-assembling peptides and electrospun nanofibers, can be used alone or in combination with neuronal stem cells to induce neurite outgrowth, the differentiation of human neural stem cells, and nerve gap bridging in TBI. This review examines the inclusion of biomaterials as potential treatments for TBI, including their types, synthesis, and mechanisms of action. This review also discusses the challenges faced by the use of biomaterials in TBI, including the development of biodegradable, biocompatible, and mechanically flexible biomaterials and, if combined with stem cells, the survival rate of the transplanted stem cells. A better understanding of the mechanisms and drawbacks of these novel therapeutic approaches will help to guide the design of future TBI therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Aqel
- Medical Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Najlaa Al-Thani
- Research and Development Department, Barzan Holdings, Doha P.O. Box 7178, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Z. Haider
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Samar Abdelhady
- Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt;
| | - Asmaa A. Al Thani
- Biomedical Research Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics & Biomarkers (CNMB), Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Abdullah A. Shaito
- Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences at College of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
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8
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Parisi E, Adorinni S, Garcia AM, Kralj S, De Zorzi R, Marchesan S. Self-assembling tripeptide forming water-bound channels and hydrogels. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3524. [PMID: 37226306 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
D-Ser(tBu)-L-Phe-L-Trp is described as a self-assembling tripeptide that yields nanofibrillar hydrogels at physiological conditions (phosphate buffer at pH 7.4). The peptide is characterized by several spectroscopic methods, such as circular dichroism and fluorescence, oscillatory rheometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals supramolecular packing into water-bound channels and allows the visualization of the intermolecular interactions holding together peptide stacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Parisi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Adorinni
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ana M Garcia
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Department for Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Yang X, Li X, Wu Z, Cao L. Photocrosslinked methacrylated natural macromolecular hydrogels for tissue engineering: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 246:125570. [PMID: 37369259 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
A hydrogel is a three-dimensional (3D) network structure formed through polymer crosslinking, and these have emerged as a popular research topic in recent years. Hydrogel crosslinking can be classified as physical, chemical, or enzymatic, and photocrosslinking is a branch of chemical crosslinking. Compared with other methods, photocrosslinking can control the hydrogel crosslinking initiation, crosslinking time, and crosslinking strength using light. Owing to these properties, photocrosslinked hydrogels have important research prospects in tissue engineering, in situ gel formation, 3D bioprinting, and drug delivery. Methacrylic anhydride modification is a common method for imparting photocrosslinking properties to polymers, and graft-substituted polymers can be photocrosslinked under UV irradiation. In this review, we first introduce the characteristics of common natural polysaccharide- and protein-based hydrogels and the processes used for methacrylate group modification. Next, we discuss the applications of methacrylated natural hydrogels in tissue engineering. Finally, we summarize and discuss existing methacrylated natural hydrogels in terms of limitations and future developments. We expect that this review will help researchers in this field to better understand the synthesis of methacrylate-modified natural hydrogels and their applications in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Fuzhou Medical College of Nanchang University, Fuzhou 344000, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Fuzhou Medical College of Nanchang University, Fuzhou 344000, PR China
| | - Zhaoping Wu
- Jiujiang City Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy, The First Hospital of Jiujiang City, Jiujiang 332000, PR China
| | - Lingling Cao
- Jiujiang City Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy, The First Hospital of Jiujiang City, Jiujiang 332000, PR China.
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