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Zhao D, Rong Y, Li D, He C, Chen X. Thermo-induced physically crosslinked polypeptide-based block copolymer hydrogels for biomedical applications. Regen Biomater 2023; 10:rbad039. [PMID: 37265604 PMCID: PMC10229375 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive synthetic polypeptide-containing block copolymers have received considerable attention in recent years. Especially, unique thermo-induced sol-gel phase transitions were observed for elaborately-designed amphiphilic diblock copolypeptides and a range of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-polypeptide block copolymers. The thermo-induced gelation mechanisms involve the evolution of secondary conformation, enhanced intramolecular interactions, as well as reduced hydration and increased chain entanglement of PEG blocks. The physical parameters, including polymer concentrations, sol-gel transition temperatures and storage moduli, were investigated. The polypeptide hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, and displayed biodegradation periods ranging from 1 to 5 weeks. The unique thermo-induced sol-gel phase transitions offer the feasibility of minimal-invasive injection of the precursor aqueous solutions into body, followed by in situ hydrogel formation driven by physiological temperature. These advantages make polypeptide hydrogels interesting candidates for diverse biomedical applications, especially as injectable scaffolds for 3D cell culture and tissue regeneration as well as depots for local drug delivery. This review focuses on recent advances in the design and preparation of injectable, thermo-induced physically crosslinked polypeptide hydrogels. The influence of composition, secondary structure and chirality of polypeptide segments on the physical properties and biodegradation of the hydrogels are emphasized. Moreover, the studies on biomedical applications of the hydrogels are intensively discussed. Finally, the major challenges in the further development of polypeptide hydrogels for practical applications are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- College of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yan Rong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Dong Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- College of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | | | - Xuesi Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- College of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Chan NJ, Lentz S, Gurr PA, Scheibel T, Qiao GG. Mimicry of silk utilizing synthetic polypeptides. Prog Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2022.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Su Q, Song H, Huang P, Zhang C, Yang J, Kong D, Wang W. Supramolecular co-assembly of self-adjuvanting nanofibrious peptide hydrogel enhances cancer vaccination by activating MyD88-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway without inflammation. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:3924-3934. [PMID: 33997486 PMCID: PMC8080410 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide vaccine targeting tumor-specific antigens is a promising cancer treatment regimen. However, peptide vaccines are commonly low-immunogenic, leading to suboptimal antitumor T-cell responses. Current peptide vaccination approaches are challenged by the variability of peptide physicochemical characters and vaccine formulations, flexibility, and the broad feasibility. Here, the supramolecular co-assembly of antigen epitope-conjugated peptides (ECPs) targeting CD8 or CD4 T-cell receptors was used to engineer a nanofibrious hydrogel vaccine platform. This approach provided precise and tunable loading of peptide antigens in nanofibers, which notably increased the antigen uptake, cross-presentation, and activation of dendritic cells (DCs). Immunization in mice indicated that the co-assembled peptide hydrogel did not induce local inflammation responses and elicited significantly promoted T-cell immunity by activating the MyD88-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway in DCs. Vaccination of mice using co-assembled peptide vaccine stimulated both enhanced CD8 and CD4 T cells against EG.7-OVA tumors without additional immunoadjuvants or delivery systems, and resulted in a more remarkable cancer immunotherapy efficacy, compared with free peptide vaccine or aluminum-adjuvanted peptide formulation. Altogether, peptide co-assembly demonstrated by three independent pairs of ECPs is a facile, customizable, and chemically defined approach for co-delivering peptide antigens in self-adjuvanting hydrogel vaccines that could induce stronger anticancer T-cell responses. Supramolecular co-assembly is a facile approach for manufacturing peptide vaccine. Peptide vaccine activates DCs through the MyD88-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway. Vaccination of co-assembled peptide hydrogel augments antitumor T-cell responses. Co-assembled peptide vaccine shows therapeutic cancer immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Su
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Huijuan Song
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Pingsheng Huang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Chuangnian Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Deling Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
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Ma W, Chu I. Self‐assembly
and
sol‐to‐gel
transition of thermosensitive
methoxy‐polyethylene glycol‐polyalanine
block copolymer hydrogels. J Appl Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/app.50025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei‐Chun Ma
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Tsing Hua University Hsinchu Taiwan
| | - I‐Ming Chu
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Tsing Hua University Hsinchu Taiwan
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Barman R, Dey P, Mondal T, Ghosh S. Synthesis and Self‐assembly of a Helical Polymer Grafted from a Foldable Polyurethane Scaffold. Chem Asian J 2019; 14:4741-4747. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201901119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ranajit Barman
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary SciencesIndian Association for the Cultivation of Science 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road Jadavpur Kolkata 700032 India
| | - Pradip Dey
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary SciencesIndian Association for the Cultivation of Science 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road Jadavpur Kolkata 700032 India
| | - Tathagata Mondal
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary SciencesIndian Association for the Cultivation of Science 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road Jadavpur Kolkata 700032 India
- Institut Charles Sadron 67034 Strasbourg France
| | - Suhrit Ghosh
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary SciencesIndian Association for the Cultivation of Science 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road Jadavpur Kolkata 700032 India
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Huang P, Wang X, Liang X, Yang J, Zhang C, Kong D, Wang W. Nano-, micro-, and macroscale drug delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2019; 85:1-26. [PMID: 30579043 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is moving to the frontier of cancer treatment. Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have greatly advanced the development of cancer immunotherapeutic regimen and combination treatment. DDSs can spatiotemporally present tumor antigens, drugs, immunostimulatory molecules, or adjuvants, thus enabling the modulation of immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs) or T-cells directly in vivo and thereby provoking robust antitumor immune responses. Cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint blockade, and adoptive cell transfer have shown promising therapeutic efficiency in clinic, and the incorporation of DDSs may further increase antitumor efficiency while decreasing adverse side effects. This review focuses on the use of nano-, micro-, and macroscale DDSs for co-delivery of different immunostimulatory factors to reprogram the immune system to combat cancer. Regarding to nanoparticle-based DDSs, we emphasize the nanoparticle-based tumor immune environment modulation or as an addition to gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, or photothermal therapy. For microparticle or capsule-based DDSs, an overview of the carrier type, fabrication approach, and co-delivery of tumor vaccines and adjuvants is introduced. Finally, macroscale DDSs including hydrogels and scaffolds are also included and their role in personalized vaccine delivery and adoptive cell transfer therapy are described. Perspective and clinical translation of DDS-based cancer immunotherapy is also discussed. We believe that DDSs hold great potential in advancing the fundamental research and clinical translation of cancer immunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Immunotherapy is moving to the frontier of cancer treatment. Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have greatly advanced the development of cancer immunotherapeutic regimen and combination treatment. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the use of nano-, micro-, and macroscale DDSs for the co-delivery of different immunostimulatory factors to reprogram the immune system to combat cancer. We also propose the perspective on the development of next-generation DDS-based cancer immunotherapy. This review indicates that DDSs can augment the antitumor T-cell immunity and hold great potential in advancing the fundamental research and clinical translation of cancer immunotherapy by simultaneously delivering dual or multiple immunostimulatory drugs.
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Zhou X, Li Z. Advances and Biomedical Applications of Polypeptide Hydrogels Derived from α-Amino Acid N-Carboxyanhydride (NCA) Polymerizations. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1800020. [PMID: 29869375 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201800020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polypeptide hydrogels, having the ability to mimic certain properties of natural, native extracellular matrix components, are being actively designed and described for various applications in the construction of tissue engineering scaffolds, living cell encapsulation, and drug delivery systems. Compared to conventional hydrogels, polypeptide hydrogels possess biocompatibility, biodegradability, bioactivity, functional diversity, and structural advantage based on the unique secondary structures (α-helix and β-sheet). Furthermore, the progresses in functional N-carboxyanhydride polymerization combined with advanced orthogonal conjugation techniques significantly promote the development of the polypeptide materials. This progress report focuses on the recent advances in designing and engineering polypeptide hydrogels obtained from ring opening polymerization, highlighting the precise manipulation of their properties for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianfeng Zhou
- Key Lab of Biobased Polymer Materials of Shandong Provincial Education Department; School of Polymer Science and Engineering; Qingdao University of Science and Technology; Qingdao 266042 China
- Department of Polymer Science; University of Akron; Akron OH 44325 USA
| | - Zhibo Li
- Key Lab of Biobased Polymer Materials of Shandong Provincial Education Department; School of Polymer Science and Engineering; Qingdao University of Science and Technology; Qingdao 266042 China
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