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Lesotho N, Peme T, Makatini M. Design, synthesis, and characterization of type I collagen mimetic peptides. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3531. [PMID: 38056886 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3531] [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: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The current wound-healing collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) have limitations such as poor membrane permeability and protease susceptibility. Herein, the solid-phase peptide synthesis of CMPs containing the integrin binding motif GFOGER is reported. The peptide sequences also consist of lipophilic moieties (adamantane and palmitic acid) for improved membrane permeability and different collagen-inducing tripeptides, namely, Thr-Thr-Lys (TTK), Gly-His-Lys (GHK), Gln-Pro-Arg (QPR), and Glu-Glu-Met (EEM). The synthesized peptides were successfully characterized and purified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography techniques, respectively. The palmitic acid moiety increased the hydrophobic nature of the peptides, and they were retained longer on the stationary material of the reverse phase C-18 column. The three-dimensional parallel-strand helical structure of peptide DGD-GG-GFOGER-GG-TTK-palmitate was obtained using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The synthesized peptides have the desired helical structure, which can promote integrin binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ntlama Lesotho
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Thabo Peme
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maya Makatini
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Bou Ghanem GO, Koktysh D, Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Wareham LK, Calkins DJ. Collagen Mimetic Peptides Promote Repair of MMP-1-Damaged Collagen in the Rodent Sclera and Optic Nerve Head. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17031. [PMID: 38069354 PMCID: PMC10707085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317031] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural and biomechanical properties of collagen-rich ocular tissues, such as the sclera, are integral to ocular function. The degradation of collagen in such tissues is associated with debilitating ophthalmic diseases such as glaucoma and myopia, which often lead to visual impairment. Collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) have emerged as an effective treatment to repair damaged collagen in tissues of the optic projection, such as the retina and optic nerve. In this study, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to assess the potential of CMPs in restoring tissue stiffness in the optic nerve head (ONH), including the peripapillary sclera (PPS) and the glial lamina. Using rat ONH tissue sections, we induced collagen damage with MMP-1, followed by treatment with CMP-3 or vehicle. MMP-1 significantly reduced the Young's modulus of both the PPS and the glial lamina, indicating tissue softening. Subsequent CMP-3 treatment partially restored tissue stiffness in both the PPS and the glial lamina. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed reduced collagen fragmentation after MMP-1 digestion in CMP-3-treated tissues compared to vehicle controls. In summary, these results demonstrate the potential of CMPs to restore collagen stiffness and structure in ONH tissues following enzymatic damage. CMPs may offer a promising therapeutic avenue for preserving vision in ocular disorders involving collagen remodeling and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazi O. Bou Ghanem
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Dmitry Koktysh
- Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | | | | | - Eric Schlumpf
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Wareham
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - David J. Calkins
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
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3
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Shin DS, Schroeder ME, Anseth KS. Impact of Collagen Triple Helix Structure on Melanoma Cell Invadopodia Formation and Matrix Degradation upon BRAF Inhibitor Treatment. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101592. [PMID: 34783464 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101592] [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] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A collagen-rich tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with worse outcomes in cancer patients and contributes to drug resistance in many cancer types. In melanoma, stiff and fibrillar collagen-abundant tissue is observed after failure of therapeutic treatments with BRAF inhibitors. Increased collagen in the TME can affect properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including stiffness, adhesiveness, and interaction of integrins with triple helix forming nanostructures. Decoupling these biochemical and biophysical properties of the ECM can lead to a better understanding of how each of these individual properties affect melanoma cancer behavior and drug efficacy. In addition, as drug treatment can induce cancer cell phenotypic switch, cancer cell responsiveness to the TME can be dynamically changed during therapeutic treatments. To investigate cancer cell phenotype changes and the role of the cancer TME, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels functionalized with collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) is utilized, or an interpenetrating network (IPN) of type І collagen within the PEG system to culture various melanoma cell lines in the presence or absence of Vemurafenib (PLX4032) drug treatment is prepared. Additionally, the potential of using CMP functionalized PEG hydrogels, which can provide better tunability is explored, to replace the existing invadopodia assay platform based on fluorescent gelatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Della S. Shin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO 80303 USA
| | - Megan E. Schroeder
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO 80303 USA
| | - Kristi S. Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO 80303 USA
- BioFrontiers Institute University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO 80303 USA
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Ribeiro M, McGrady NR, Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Calkins DJ. Intraocular Delivery of a Collagen Mimetic Peptide Repairs Retinal Ganglion Cell Axons in Chronic and Acute Injury Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062911. [PMID: 35328332 PMCID: PMC8949359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vision loss through the degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons occurs in both chronic and acute conditions that target the optic nerve. These include glaucoma, in which sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) causes early RGC axonal dysfunction, and optic nerve trauma, which causes rapid axon degeneration from the site of injury. In each case, degeneration is irreversible, necessitating new therapeutics that protect, repair, and regenerate RGC axons. Recently, we demonstrated the reparative capacity of using collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) to heal fragmented collagen in the neuronal extracellular milieu. This was an important step in the development of neuronal-based therapies since neurodegeneration involves matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated remodeling of the collagen-rich environment in which neurons and their axons exist. We found that intraocular delivery of a CMP comprising single-strand fractions of triple helix human type I collagen prevented early RGC axon dysfunction in an inducible glaucoma model. Additionally, CMPs also promoted neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglia, challenged in vitro by partial digestion of collagen. Here, we compared the ability of a CMP sequence to protect RGC axons in both inducible glaucoma and optic nerve crush. A three-week +40% elevation in IOP caused a 67% degradation in anterograde transport to the superior colliculus, the primary retinal projection target in rodents. We found that a single intravitreal injection of CMP during the period of IOP elevation significantly reduced this degradation. The same CMP delivered shortly after optic nerve crush promoted significant axonal recovery during the two-week period following injury. Together, these findings support a novel protective and reparative role for the use of CMPs in both chronic and acute conditions affecting the survival of RGC axons in the optic projection to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio Ribeiro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (M.R.); (N.R.M.)
| | - Nolan R. McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (M.R.); (N.R.M.)
| | - Robert O. Baratta
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St., Suite 203, Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (B.J.D.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Brian J. Del Buono
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St., Suite 203, Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (B.J.D.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Eric Schlumpf
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St., Suite 203, Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (B.J.D.B.); (E.S.)
| | - David J. Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (M.R.); (N.R.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(615)-936-1424; Fax: +1-(615)-936-6410
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McGrady NR, Pasini S, Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Calkins DJ. Restoring the Extracellular Matrix: A Neuroprotective Role for Collagen Mimetic Peptides in Experimental Glaucoma. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:764709. [PMID: 34795592 PMCID: PMC8592892 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.764709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic neuropathies are a major cause of visual disabilities worldwide, causing irreversible vision loss through the degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons, which comprise the optic nerve. Chief among these is glaucoma, in which sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) leads to RGC axon dysfunction followed by outright degeneration of the optic projection. Current treatments focus entirely on lowering IOP through topical hypotensive drugs, surgery to facilitate aqueous fluid outflow, or both. Despite this investment in time and resources, many patients continue to lose vision, underscoring the need for new therapeutics that target neurodegeneration directly. One element of progression in glaucoma involves matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) remodeling of the collagen-rich extracellular milieu of RGC axons as they exit the retina through the optic nerve head. Thus, we investigated the ability of collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) representing various single strand fractions of triple helix human type I collagen to protect RGC axons in an inducible model of glaucoma. First, using dorsal root ganglia maintained in vitro on human type I collagen, we found that multiple CMPs significantly promote neurite outgrowth (+35%) compared to vehicle following MMP-induced fragmentation of the α1(I) and α2(I) chains. We then applied CMP to adult mouse eyes in vivo following microbead occlusion to elevate IOP and determined its influence on anterograde axon transport to the superior colliculus, the primary RGC projection target in rodents. In glaucoma models, sensitivity to IOP causes early degradation in axon function, including anterograde transport from retina to central brain targets. We found that CMP treatment rescued anterograde transport following a 3-week +50% elevation in IOP. These results suggest that CMPs generally may represent a novel therapeutic to supplement existing treatments or as a neuroprotective option for patients who do not respond to IOP-lowering regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan R McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Silvia Pasini
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | | | | | - Eric Schlumpf
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., Stuart, FL, United States
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Ceresa BP, Calkins DJ. Collagen Mimetic Peptides Promote Corneal Epithelial Cell Regeneration. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:705623. [PMID: 34483909 PMCID: PMC8415399 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.705623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The cornea of the eye is at risk for injury through constant exposure to the extraocular environment. A highly collagenous structure, the cornea contains several different types distributed across multiple layers. The anterior-most layer contains non-keratinized epithelial cells that serve as a barrier to environmental, microbial, and other insults. Renewal and migration of basal epithelial cells from the limbus involve critical interactions between secreted basement membranes, composed primarily of type IV collagen, and underlying Bowman's and stromal layers, which contain primarily type I collagen. This process is challenged in many diseases and conditions that insult the ocular surface and damage underlying collagen. We investigated the capacity of a collagen mimetic peptide (CMP), representing a fraction of a single strand of the damaged triple helix human type I collagen, to promote epithelial healing following an acute corneal wound. In vitro, the collagen mimetic peptide promoted the realignment of collagen damaged by enzymic digestion. In an in vivo mouse model, topical application of a CMP-containing formulation following a 360° lamellar keratectomy targeting the corneal epithelial layer accelerated wound closure during a 24 h period, compared to vehicle. We found that the CMP increased adherence of the basal epithelium to the underlying substrate and enhanced density of epithelial cells, while reducing variability in the regenerating layer. These results suggest that CMPs may represent a novel therapeutic to heal corneal tissue by repairing underlying collagen in conditions that damage the ocular surface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Brian P Ceresa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Röber M, Scheibel T, Börner HG. Toward Activatable Collagen Mimics: Combining DEPSI "Switch" Defects and Template-Guided Self-Organization to Control Collagen Mimetic Peptides. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100070. [PMID: 34008293 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100070] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs), which imitate various structural or functional features of natural collagen, constitute advanced models illuminating the folding aspects of the collagen triple helix (CTH) motif. In this study, the CMPs of repeating Gly-Pro-Pro (GPP) triplets are tethered to an organic scaffold based on a tris(2-aminoethyl) amine (TREN) derivative (TREN(sucOH)3 ). These three templated peptide strands are further expanded via native chemical ligation to increase the number of GPP triplets and lead to a TREN(sucGPPGPPG(Ψ)SPGPPCPP[GPP]4 )3 construct. The incorporation of an ester switch segment, G(Ψ)S, as a positional O-acyl isopeptide (DEPSI) defect into the peptide strands allows the pH-controlled acceleration of CTH formation. The strand assembly process is monitored by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The results of pH jump experiments and thermal denaturation studies provide new insights into the contributions of structural DEPSI defects to the template-guided self-assembly of the CTH motif. While the organic scaffold drives the CTH formation, the switch defects act as temporary opponents and slow down the folding. CD spectroscopy data confirm that the switch defects contribute to the formation of a more stable CTH motif by enhancing the structural dynamics at the early stage of the folding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Röber
- Laboratory for Organic Synthesis of Functional Systems, Department of Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Fakultät für Ingenieurwissenschaften, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, D-95440, Germany
| | - Hans G Börner
- Laboratory for Organic Synthesis of Functional Systems, Department of Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, Berlin, 12489, Germany
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Hilderbrand AM, Taylor PA, Stanzione F, LaRue M, Guo C, Jayaraman A, Kloxin AM. Combining simulations and experiments for the molecular engineering of multifunctional collagen mimetic peptide-based materials. Soft Matter 2021; 17:1985-1998. [PMID: 33434255 PMCID: PMC8849569 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01562h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Assembling peptides allow the creation of structurally complex materials, where amino acid selection influences resulting properties. We present a synergistic approach of experiments and simulations for examining the influence of natural and non-natural amino acid substitutions via incorporation of charged residues and a reactive handle on the thermal stability and assembly of multifunctional collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs). Experimentally, we observed inclusion of charged residues significantly decreased the melting temperature of CMP triple helices with further destabilization upon inclusion of the reactive handle. Atomistic simulations of a single CMP triple helix in explicit water showed increased residue-level and helical structural fluctuations caused by the inclusion of the reactive handle; however, these atomistic simulations cannot be used to predict changes in CMP melting transition. Coarse-grained (CG) simulations of CMPs at experimentally relevant solution conditions, showed, qualitatively, the same trends as experiments in CMP melting transition temperature with CMP design. These simulations show that when charged residues are included electrostatic repulsions significantly destabilize the CMP triple helix and that an additional inclusion of a reactive handle does not significantly change the melting transition. Based on findings from both experiments and simulations, the sequence design was refined for increased CMP triple helix thermal stability, and the reactive handle was utilized for the incorporation of the assembled CMPs within covalently crosslinked hydrogels. Overall, a unique approach was established for predicting stability of CMP triple helices for various sequences prior to synthesis, providing molecular insights for sequence design towards the creation of bulk nanostructured soft biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M Hilderbrand
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Phillip A Taylor
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Francesca Stanzione
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Mark LaRue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Chen Guo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Arthi Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - April M Kloxin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
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9
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Abstract
Since their first synthesis in the late 1960s, collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) have been used as a molecular tool to study collagen, and as an approach to develop novel collagen mimetic biomaterials. Collagen, a major extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, plays vital roles in many physiological and pathogenic processes. Applications of CMPs have advanced our understanding of the structure and molecular properties of a collagen triple helix-the building block of collagen-and the interactions of collagen with important molecular ligands. The accumulating knowledge is also paving the way for developing novel CMPs for biomedical applications. Indeed, for the past 50 years, CMP research has been a fast-growing, far-reaching interdisciplinary field. The major development and achievement of CMPs were documented in a few detailed reviews around 2010. Here, we provided a brief overview of what we have learned about CMPs-their potential and their limitations. We focused on more recent developments in producing heterotrimeric CMPs, and CMPs that can form collagen-like higher order molecular assemblies. We also expanded the traditional view of CMPs to include larger designed peptides produced using recombinant systems. Studies using recombinant peptides have provided new insights on collagens and promoted progress in the development of collagen mimetic fibrillar self-assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA;
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Locke RC, Ford EM, Silbernagel KG, Kloxin AM, Killian ML. Success Criteria and Preclinical Testing of Multifunctional Hydrogels for Tendon Regeneration. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2020; 26:506-518. [PMID: 32988293 PMCID: PMC7869878 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tendon injuries are difficult to heal, in part, because intrinsic tendon healing, which is dominated by scar tissue formation, does not effectively regenerate the native structure and function of healthy tendon. Further, many current treatment strategies also fall short of producing regenerated tendon with the native properties of healthy tendon. There is increasing interest in the use of cell-instructive strategies to limit the intrinsic fibrotic response following injury and improve the regenerative capacity of tendon in vivo. We have established multifunctional, cell-instructive hydrogels for treating injured tendon that afford tunable control over the biomechanical, biochemical, and structural properties of the cell microenvironment. Specifically, we incorporated integrin-binding domains (RGDS) and assembled multifunctional collagen mimetic peptides that enable cell adhesion and elongation of stem cells within synthetic hydrogels of designed biomechanical properties and evaluated these materials using targeted success criteria developed for testing in mechanically demanding environments such as tendon healing. The in vitro and in situ success criteria were determined based on systematic reviews of the most commonly reported outcome measures of hydrogels for tendon repair and established standards for testing of biomaterials. We then showed, using validation experiments, that multifunctional and synthetic hydrogels meet these criteria. Specifically, these hydrogels have mechanical properties comparable to developing tendon; are noncytotoxic both in two-dimensional bolus exposure (hydrogel components) and three-dimensional encapsulation (full hydrogel); are formed, retained, and visualized within tendon defects over time (2-weeks); and provide mechanical support to tendon defects at the time of in situ gel crosslinking. Ultimately, the in vitro and in situ success criteria evaluated in this study were designed for preclinical research to rigorously test the potential to achieve successful tendon repair before in vivo testing and indicate the promise of multifunctional and synthetic hydrogels for continued translation. Impact statement Tendon healing results in a weak scar that forms due to poor cell-mediated repair of the injured tissue. Treatments that tailor the instructions experienced by cells during healing afford opportunities to regenerate the healthy tendon. Engineered cell-instructive cues, including the biomechanical, biochemical, and structural properties of the cell microenvironment, within multifunctional synthetic hydrogels are promising therapeutic strategies for tissue regeneration. In this article, the preclinical efficacy of multifunctional synthetic hydrogels for tendon repair is tested against rigorous in vitro and in situ success criteria. This study indicates the promise for continued preclinical translation of synthetic hydrogels for tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Locke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Eden M. Ford
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | | | - April M. Kloxin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Megan L. Killian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) displays cell-surface proteins that resemble human collagen. We find that a fluorophore-labeled collagen mimetic peptide (CMP) labels GAS cells but not Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis cells, which lack such proteins. The CMP likely engages in a heterotrimeric helix with endogenous collagen, as the nonnatural d enantiomer of the CMP does not label GAS cells. To identify a molecular target, we used reverse genetics to "knock-in" the GAS genes that encode two proteins with collagen-like domains, Scl1 and Scl2, into B. subtilis. The fluorescent CMP labels the cells of these B. subtilis strains. Moreover, these strains bind tightly to a surface of mammalian collagen. These data are consistent with streptococcal collagen forming triple helices with damaged collagen in a wound bed and thus have implications for microbial virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felix Dempwolff
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Daniel B. Kearns
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Ronald T. Raines
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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Yao L, Liu Z, Yu J, Luo L, Wang J, Xiao J. Morphology of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Collagen Mimetic Peptide Assemblies Correlates with the Identity of Glycine-Substituting Residue. Chembiochem 2019; 20:3013-3019. [PMID: 31237990 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary bone disorder with various phenotypes ranging from mild multiple fractures to perinatal lethal cases, and it mainly results from the substitution of Gly by a bulkier residue in type I collagen. Triple-helical peptide models of Gly mutations have been widely utilized to decipher the etiology of OI, although these studies are mainly limited to characterizing the peptide features, such as stability and conformation in the solution state. Herein, we have constructed a new series of triple-helical peptides DD(GPO)5 ZPO(GPO)4 DD (Z=Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Glu, Ser, and Val) mimicking the most common types of observed OI cases. The inclusion of special terminal aspartic acids enables these collagen mimetic peptides to self-assemble to form nanomaterials upon the trigger of lanthanide ions. We have for the first time systematically evaluated the effect of different OI mutations on the aggregated state of collagen mimetic peptides. We have revealed that the identity of the Gly-substituting residue plays a determinant role in the morphology and secondary structure of the collagen peptide assemblies, showing that bulkier residues tend to result in a disruptive secondary structure and defective morphology, which lead to more severe OI phenotypes. These findings of osteogenesis imperfecta collagen mimetic peptides in the aggregation state provide novel perspectives on the molecular mechanism of osteogenesis imperfecta, and may aid the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and, Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Zhao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and, Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jingyuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and, Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Liting Luo
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and, Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and, Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
| | - Jianxi Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and, Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
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Radvar E, Azevedo HS. Supramolecular Peptide/Polymer Hybrid Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications. Macromol Biosci 2018; 19:e1800221. [PMID: 30101512 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201800221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [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: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Peptides and polymers are the "elite" building blocks in hydrogel fabrication where the typical approach consists of coupling specific peptide sequences (cell adhesive and/or enzymatically cleavable) to polymer chains aiming to obtain controlled cell responses (adhesion, migration, differentiation). However, the use of polymers and peptides as structural components for fabricating supramolecular hydrogels is less well established. Here, the literature on the design of peptide/polymer systems for self-assembly into hybrid hydrogels, as either peptide-polymer conjugates or combining both components individually, is reviewed. The properties (stiffness, mesh structure, responsiveness, and biocompatibility) of the hydrogels are then discussed from the viewpoint of their potential biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Radvar
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Helena S Azevedo
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS, UK
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Strauss K, Chmielewski J. Metal-Promoted Assembly of Two Collagen Mimetic Peptides into a Biofunctional "Spiraled Horn" Scaffold. Materials (Basel) 2016; 9:E838. [PMID: 28773959 PMCID: PMC5456626 DOI: 10.3390/ma9100838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Biofunctional scaffolds for the delivery of living cells are of the utmost importance for regenerative medicine. Herein, a novel, robust "spiraled horn" scaffold was elucidated through the Co2+-promoted hierarchical assembly of two collagen mimetic peptides, NCoH and HisCol. Each "horn" displayed a periodic banding pattern with band lengths corresponding to the length of the collagen peptide triple helix. Strand exchange between the two peptide trimers resulted in failure to form this intricate morphology, lending support to a precise metal-ligand-based mechanism of assembly. Little change occurred to the observed morphology when the Co2+ concentration was varied from 0.5 to 4.0 mM, and the scaffold was found to be fully formed within two minutes of exposure to the metal ion. The horned network also displayed biological functionality by binding to a His-tagged fluorophore and associating with cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Strauss
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Jean Chmielewski
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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15
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Abstract
We explore the design of metal binding sites to modulate triple-helix stability of collagen and collagen-mimetic peptides. Globular proteins commonly utilize metals to connect tertiary structural elements that are well separated in sequence, constraining structure and enhancing stability. It is more challenging to engineer structural metals into fibrous protein scaffolds, which lack the extensive tertiary contacts seen in globular proteins. In the collagen triple helix, the structural adjacency of the carboxy-termini of the three chains makes this region an attractive target for introducing metal binding sites. We engineered His3 sites based on structural modeling constraints into a series of designed homotrimeric and heterotrimeric peptides, assessing the capacity of metal binding to improve stability and in the case of heterotrimers, affect specificity of assembly. Notable enhancements in stability for both homo- and heteromeric systems were observed upon addition of zinc(II) and several other metal ions only when all three histidine ligands were present. Metal binding affinities were consistent with the expected Irving-Williams series for imidazole. Unlike other metals tested, copper(II) also bound to peptides lacking histidine ligands. Acetylation of the peptide N-termini prevented copper binding, indicating proline backbone amide metal-coordination at this site. Copper similarly stabilized animal extracted Type I collagen in a metal-specific fashion, highlighting the potential importance of metal homeostasis within the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avanish S. Parmar
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad-500046, Telangana, INDIA
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Fei Xu
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Douglas H. Pike
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Sandeep V. Belure
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Nida F. Hasan
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Kathryn E. Drzewiecki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - David I. Shreiber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Vikas Nanda
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
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Abstract
Cancer cells rely on extensive support from the stroma in order to survive, proliferate and invade. The tumor stroma is thus an important potential target for anti-cancer therapy. Typical changes in the stroma include a shift from the quiescence promoting-antiangiogenic extracellular matrix to a provisional matrix that promotes invasion and angiogenesis. These changes in the extracellular matrix are induced by changes in the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins and glucose amino glycans, extravasation of plasma proteins from hyperpermeable vessels and release of matrix modifying enzymes resulting in cleavage and cross-linking of matrix macromolecules. These in turn alter the rigidity of the matrix and the exposure and release of cytokines. Changes in matrix rigidity and vessel permeability affect drug delivery and mediate resistance to cytotoxic therapy. These stroma changes are brought about not only by the cancer cells, but also through the action of many cell types that are recruited by tumors including immune cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Within the tumor, these normal host cells are activated resulting in loss of inhibitory and induction of cancer promoting activities. Key to the development of stroma-targeted therapies, selective biomarkers were developed for specific imaging of key aspects of the tumor stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Narunsky
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Roni Oren
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Filip Bochner
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Michal Neeman
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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