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Xie C, Chen Y, Wang L, Liao K, Xue B, Han Y, Li L, Jiang Q. Recent research of peptide-based hydrogel in nervous regeneration. Bioact Mater 2024; 40:503-523. [PMID: 39040568 PMCID: PMC11261279 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders exert significantly affect the quality of life for patients, necessitating effective strategies for nerve regeneration. Both traditional autologous nerve transplantation and emerging therapeutic approaches encounter scientific challenges due to the complex nature of the nervous system and the unsuitability of the surrounding environment for cell transplantation. Tissue engineering techniques offer a promising path for neurotherapy. Successful neural tissue engineering relies on modulating cell differentiation behavior and tissue repair by developing biomaterials that mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and establish a three-dimensional microenvironment. Peptide-based hydrogels have emerged as a potent option among these biomaterials due to their ability to replicate the structure and complexity of the ECM. This review aims to explore the diverse range of peptide-based hydrogels used in nerve regeneration with a specific focus on dipeptide hydrogels, tripeptide hydrogels, oligopeptide hydrogels, multidomain peptides (MDPs), and amphiphilic peptide hydrogels (PAs). Peptide-based hydrogels offer numerous advantages, including biocompatibility, structural diversity, adjustable mechanical properties, and degradation without adverse effects. Notably, hydrogels formed from self-assembled polypeptide nanofibers, derived from amino acids, show promising potential in engineering neural tissues, outperforming conventional materials like alginate, poly(ε-caprolactone), and polyaniline. Additionally, the simple design and cost-effectiveness of dipeptide-based hydrogels have enabled the creation of various functional supramolecular structures, with significant implications for nervous system regeneration. These hydrogels are expected to play a crucial role in future neural tissue engineering research. This review aims to highlight the benefits and potential applications of peptide-based hydrogels, contributing to the advancement of neural tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Yueyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Lang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Kin Liao
- Advanced Digital and Additive Manufacturing Center, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Po Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bin Xue
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yulong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Sports Medicine and Adult Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for 3D Bioprinting, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Medical 3D Printing, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Sports Medicine and Adult Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for 3D Bioprinting, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Medical 3D Printing, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Adak A, Castelletto V, Mendes B, Barrett G, Seitsonen J, Hamley IW. Chirality and pH Influence the Self-Assembly of Antimicrobial Lipopeptides with Diverse Nanostructures. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:5553-5565. [PMID: 39042039 PMCID: PMC11337160 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Chirality plays a crucial role in the self-assembly of biomolecules in nature. Peptides show chirality-dependent conformation and self-assembly. Lipidation of peptides occurs in vivo and has recently been exploited in designed conjugates to drive self-assembly and enhance bioactivity. Here, a library of pH-responsive homochiral and heterochiral lipidated tripeptides has been designed. The designed lipopeptides comprise homochiral C16-YKK or C16-WKK (where all the amino acids are l-isomers), and two heterochiral conjugates C16-Ykk and C16-Wkk (where the two lysines are d-isomers). The self-assembly of all the synthesized lipopeptides in aqueous solution was examined using a combination of spectroscopic methods along with cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Interestingly, it was observed that at acidic pH all the lipopeptides self-assemble into micelles, whereas at basic pH the homochiral lipopeptides self-assemble into nanofibers, whereas the heterochiral lipopeptides self-assemble into nanotapes and nanotubes. A pH switch was demonstrated using a thioflavin T fluorescence probe of β-sheet structure present in the extended structures at pH 8. We demonstrate that both chirality and pH in lipopeptides influence the self-assembly behavior of the model tripeptides, which also show promising bioactivity. Good cytocompatibility is observed in hemolytic assays and antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria is shown through the determination of minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values and live/dead bacteria staining assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindyasundar Adak
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K.
| | - Valeria Castelletto
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K.
| | - Bruno Mendes
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AH, U.K.
| | - Glyn Barrett
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AH, U.K.
| | - Jani Seitsonen
- Nanomicroscopy
Center, Aalto University, Puumiehenkuja 2, FIN-02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Ian W. Hamley
- School
of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K.
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Rosa E, Di Gregorio E, Ferrauto G, Diaferia C, Gallo E, Terreno E, Accardo A. Hybrid PNA-peptide hydrogels as injectable CEST-MRI agents. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:6371-6383. [PMID: 38864345 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00358f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of peptides and peptide analogues may be exploited to develop platforms for different biomedical applications, among which CEST-MRI (chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging) represents one of the most attractive techniques to be explored as a novel metal-free contrast approach in imaging acquisitions. A lysine-containing peptide sequence (LIVAGK-NH2, named K2) was thus modified by insertion, at the N-terminus, of a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) base, leading to a primary amine suitable for the signal generation. a-K2, c-K2, g-K2 and t-K2 peptides were synthesized and characterized. The c-K2 sequence displayed gelling properties and the Watson and Crick pairing, arising from its combination with g-K2, allowed a significant increase in the mechanical responsivity of the hydrogel. These matrices were able to generate a CEST signal around 2.5 ppm from water and, after assessing their cytocompatibility on GL261 (murine glioma), TS/a (murine breast carcinoma), and 3T3-NIH (murine fibroblasts) cell lines, their capability to work as implants for in vivo detection, was proved by intratumor injection in Balb/c mice inoculated with TS/a murine breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy and Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB) "Carlo Pedone", University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy.
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Molecular and Preclinical Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Molecular and Preclinical Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin, Italy.
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy and Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB) "Carlo Pedone", University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy.
| | - Enrico Gallo
- IRCCS Synlab SDN, Via Gianturco 113, Naples, 80143, Italy
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Molecular and Preclinical Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin, Italy.
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy and Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB) "Carlo Pedone", University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy.
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Qiao Y, Wu G, Liu Z, He H, Tan W, Xu B. Assessment of the Enzymatic Dephosphorylation Kinetics in the Assemblies of a Phosphopentapeptide that Forms Intranuclear Nanoribbons. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:1310-1318. [PMID: 38265878 PMCID: PMC11071069 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Although the formation of peptide assemblies catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has received increasing attention in inhibiting cancer cells, the detailed enzyme kinetics of the dephosphorylation of the corresponding phosphopeptide assemblies have yet to be determined. We recently discovered that assemblies from a phosphopentapeptide can form intracellular nanoribbons that kill induced pluripotent stem cells or osteosarcoma cells, but the kinetics of enzymatic dephosphorylation remain unknown. Thus, we chose to examine the enzyme kinetics of the dephosphorylation of the phosphopentapeptide [NBD-LLLLpY (1)] from concentrations below to above its critical micelle concentration (CMC). Our results show that the phosphopeptide exhibits a CMC of 75 μM in phosphate saline buffer, and the apparent Vmax and Km values of alkaline phosphatase catalyzed dephosphorylation are approximately 0.24 μM/s and 5.67 mM, respectively. Despite dephosphorylation remaining incomplete at 60 min in all the concentrations tested, dephosphorylation of the phosphopeptide at concentrations of 200 μM or above mainly results in nanoribbons, dephosphorylation at concentrations of CMC largely produces nanofibers, and dephosphorylation below the CMC largely generates nanoparticles. Moreover, the formation of nanoribbons correlates with the intranuclear accumulation of the pentapeptide. By providing the first examination of the enzymatic kinetics of phosphopeptide assemblies, this work further supports the notion that the assemblies of phosphopentapeptides can act as a new functional entity for controlling cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Qiao
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Grace Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Zhiyu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Hongjian He
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Weiyi Tan
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
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Gallo E, Diaferia C, Giordano S, Rosa E, Carrese B, Piccialli G, Borbone N, Morelli G, Oliviero G, Accardo A. Ultrashort Cationic Peptide Fmoc-FFK as Hydrogel Building Block for Potential Biomedical Applications. Gels 2023; 10:12. [PMID: 38247735 PMCID: PMC10815546 DOI: 10.3390/gels10010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fmoc-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) is a low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogelator. This simple all-aromatic peptide can generate self-supporting hydrogel materials, which have been proposed as novel materials for diagnostic and pharmaceutical applications. Our knowledge of the molecular determinants of Fmoc-FF aggregation is used as a guide to design new peptide-based gelators, with features for the development of improved tools. Here, we enlarge the plethora of Fmoc-FF-based hydrogelated matrices by studying the properties of the Fmoc-FFK tripeptide, alone or in combination with Fmoc-FF. For multicomponent matrices, the relative weight ratios between Fmoc-FFK and Fmoc-FF (specifically, 1/1, 1/5, 1/10, and 1/20 w/w) are evaluated. All the systems and their multiscale organization are studied using different experimental techniques, including rheology, circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Preliminary profiles of biocompatibility for the studied systems are also described by testing them in vitro on HaCaT and 3T3-L1 cell lines. Additionally, the lysine (K) residue at the C-terminus of the Fmoc-FF moiety introduces into the supramolecular material chemical functions (amino groups) which may be useful for modification/derivatization with bioactive molecules of interest, including diagnostic probes, chelating agents, active pharmaceutical ingredients, or peptide nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Gallo
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (S.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Sabrina Giordano
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (S.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Barbara Carrese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (S.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
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