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Almonte L, Fernandez M, Cortés-Ossa JD, Blesio P, Juan-Bordera L, Sabater C, Cortajarena AL, Calvo MR. Thickness Determination and Control in Protein-Based Biomaterial Thin Films. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024. [PMID: 39008810 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Controlling the thickness and uniformity of biomaterial films is crucial for their application in various fields including sensing and bioelectronics. In this work, we investigated film assemblies of an engineered repeat protein─specifically, the consensus tetratricopeptide repeat (CTPR) protein ─a system with unique robustness and tunability. We propose the use of microreflectance spectroscopy and apparent color inspection for the quick assessment of the thickness and uniformity of protein-based biomaterial films deposited on oxidized silicon substrates. Initially, we characterized the thickness of large, uniform, spin-coated protein films and compared the values obtained from microreflectance spectroscopy with those obtained from other typical methods, such as ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. The excellent agreement between the results obtained from the different techniques validates the effectiveness of microreflectance as a fast, noninvasive, and affordable technique for determining the thickness of biomaterial films. Subsequently, we applied microreflectance spectroscopy to determine the thickness of drop-casted CTPR-based films prepared from small protein solution volumes, which present a smaller surface area and are less uniform compared to spin-coated samples. Additionally, we demonstrate the utility of apparent color inspection as a tool for assessing film uniformity. Finally, based on these results, we provide a calibration of film thickness as a function of the protein length and concentration for both spin-coated and drop-casted films, serving as a guide for the preparation of CTPR films with a specific thickness. Our results demonstrate the remarkable reproducibility of the CTPR film assembly, enabling the simple preparation of biomaterial films with precise thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Almonte
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Materiales de Alicante (IUMA), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Maxence Fernandez
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Juan David Cortés-Ossa
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Materiales de Alicante (IUMA), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Paolo Blesio
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Lucía Juan-Bordera
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Materiales de Alicante (IUMA), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Carlos Sabater
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Materiales de Alicante (IUMA), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Aitziber L Cortajarena
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - M Reyes Calvo
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Materiales de Alicante (IUMA), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, 48940 Leioa, Spain
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2
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Ding J, Kalluri A, Kumar CV. Highly stable, fluorescent, artificial lipoprotein nanoparticles. Photochem Photobiol 2024. [PMID: 38961565 DOI: 10.1111/php.13989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Here, we report a novel kind of protein nanoparticles of 11 nm in size, which have a central protein core surrounded by two layers of lipid. One layer of the lipid was covalently attached to the protein, while the other layer has been physically assembled around the protein core. Particle synthesis is highly modular, while both the size and charge of the protein nanoparticles are controlled in a predictable manner. Circular dichroism studies of the conjugate showed that the protein secondary structure is retained, while biophysical characterizations indicated the particle purity, size, and charge. The conjugate had a high thermal stability to steam sterilization conditions at 121°C (17 psi). After labeling the protein core with few different fluorescent dyes, they were strongly fluorescent with the corresponding colors independent of their size, unlike quantum dots. They are readily digested by proteases, and these water-soluble, non-toxic, highly stable, biocompatible, and biodegradable conjugates are suitable for cell imaging and drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Ding
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ankarao Kalluri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Challa V Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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3
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Laakko T, Korkealaakso A, Yildirir BF, Batys P, Liljeström V, Hokkanen A, Nonappa, Penttilä M, Laukkanen A, Miserez A, Södergård C, Mohammadi P. Accelerated Engineering of ELP-Based Materials through Hybrid Biomimetic-De Novo Predictive Molecular Design. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312299. [PMID: 38710202 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Efforts to engineer high-performance protein-based materials inspired by nature have mostly focused on altering naturally occurring sequences to confer the desired functionalities, whereas de novo design lags significantly behind and calls for unconventional innovative approaches. Here, using partially disordered elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) as initial building blocks this work shows that de novo engineering of protein materials can be accelerated through hybrid biomimetic design, which this work achieves by integrating computational modeling, deep neural network, and recombinant DNA technology. This generalizable approach involves incorporating a series of de novo-designed sequences with α-helical conformation and genetically encoding them into biologically inspired intrinsically disordered repeating motifs. The new ELP variants maintain structural conformation and showed tunable supramolecular self-assembly out of thermal equilibrium with phase behavior in vitro. This work illustrates the effective translation of the predicted molecular designs in structural and functional materials. The proposed methodology can be applied to a broad range of partially disordered biomacromolecules and potentially pave the way toward the discovery of novel structural proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Laakko
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Finland
| | | | - Burcu Firatligil Yildirir
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 6, Tampere, FI-33720, Finland
| | - Piotr Batys
- Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Niezapominajek 8, Krakow, PL-30239, Poland
| | - Ville Liljeström
- Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Ari Hokkanen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Finland
| | - Nonappa
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 6, Tampere, FI-33720, Finland
| | - Merja Penttilä
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Finland
| | - Anssi Laukkanen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Finland
| | - Ali Miserez
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637553, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, NTU, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Caj Södergård
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Finland
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Finland
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4
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Chen H, Xiang J, Liu Y, Pi W, Zhang H, Wu L, Liu Y, Ji S, Li Y, Cui S, Liu K, Fu X, Sun X. Customized Proteinaceous Nanoformulation for In Vivo Chemical Reprogramming. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311845. [PMID: 38720198 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Sweat gland (SwG) regeneration is crucial for the functional rehabilitation of burn patients. In vivo chemical reprogramming that harnessing the patient's own cells in damaged tissue is of substantial interest to regenerate organs endogenously by pharmacological manipulation, which could compensate for tissue loss in devastating diseases and injuries, for example, burns. However, achieving in vivo chemical reprogramming is challenging due to the low reprogramming efficiency and an unfavorable tissue environment. Herein, this work has developed a functionalized proteinaceous nanoformulation delivery system containing prefabricated epidermal growth factor structure for on-demand delivery of a cocktail of seven SwG reprogramming components to the dermal site. Such a chemical reprogramming system can efficiently induce the conversion of epidermal keratinocytes into SwG myoepithelial cells, resulting in successful in situ regeneration of functional SwGs. Notably, in vivo chemical reprogramming of SwGs is achieved for the first time with an impressive efficiency of 30.6%, surpassing previously reported efficiencies. Overall, this proteinaceous nanoformulation provides a platform for coordinating the target delivery of multiple pharmacological agents and facilitating in vivo SwG reprogramming by chemicals. This advancement greatly improves the clinical accessibility of in vivo reprogramming and offers a non-surgical, non-viral, and cell-free strategy for in situ SwG regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huating Chen
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Jiangbing Xiang
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Yawei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Wei Pi
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Hongliang Zhang
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Lu Wu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Yiqiong Liu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Shuaifei Ji
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Yan Li
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Shaoyuan Cui
- Department of Nephrology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaobing Fu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
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5
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Zhong C, Nidetzky B. Bottom-Up Synthesized Glucan Materials: Opportunities from Applied Biocatalysis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2400436. [PMID: 38514194 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202400436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Linear d-glucans are natural polysaccharides of simple chemical structure. They are comprised of d-glucosyl units linked by a single type of glycosidic bond. Noncovalent interactions within, and between, the d-glucan chains give rise to a broad variety of macromolecular nanostructures that can assemble into crystalline-organized materials of tunable morphology. Structure design and functionalization of d-glucans for diverse material applications largely relies on top-down processing and chemical derivatization of naturally derived starting materials. The top-down approach encounters critical limitations in efficiency, selectivity, and flexibility. Bottom-up approaches of d-glucan synthesis offer different, and often more precise, ways of polymer structure control and provide means of functional diversification widely inaccessible to top-down routes of polysaccharide material processing. Here the natural and engineered enzymes (glycosyltransferases, glycoside hydrolases and phosphorylases, glycosynthases) for d-glucan polymerization are described and the use of applied biocatalysis for the bottom-up assembly of specific d-glucan structures is shown. Advanced material applications of the resulting polymeric products are further shown and their important role in the development of sustainable macromolecular materials in a bio-based circular economy is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhong
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, NAWI Graz, Petersgasse 12, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Bernd Nidetzky
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, NAWI Graz, Petersgasse 12, Graz, 8010, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib), Krenngasse 37, Graz, 8010, Austria
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6
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Mori T, Sumida S, Sakata K, Shirakawa S. Efficient synthetic methods for α,β-dehydroamino acids as useful and environmentally benign building blocks in biological and materials science. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:4625-4636. [PMID: 38804977 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00507d] [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: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Both natural and unnatural amino acids, peptides, and proteins are widely recognized as green and sustainable organic chemicals, not only in the field of biological sciences but also in materials science. It has been discovered that artificially designed unnatural peptides and proteins exhibit advanced properties in medical and materials science. In this context, the development of precise chemical modification methods for amino acids and peptides is acknowledged as an important research project in the field of organic synthesis. While a wide variety of modification methods for amino acid residues have been developed to artificially modify peptides and proteins, the representative methods for modifying amino acid residues have traditionally relied on the nucleophilic properties of the functionalities on the residues. In this context, the development of different modification methods using an umpolung-like approach by utilizing the electrophilic nature of amino acid derivatives appears to be very attractive. One of the promising electrophilic amino acid compounds for realizing important modification methods of amino acid derivatives is α,β-dehydroamino acids, which possess an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure. This review article summarizes methods for the preparation of α,β-dehydroamino acids derived from natural and unnatural amino acid derivatives. The utilities of α,β-dehydroamino acid derivatives, including peptides and proteins containing dehydroalanine units, in bioconjugations are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Mori
- Institute of Integrated Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
| | - Sao Sumida
- Institute of Integrated Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Sakata
- Spiber Inc., 234-1 Mizukami, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Seiji Shirakawa
- Institute of Integrated Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
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7
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Huang R, Hua J, Ru M, Yu M, Wang L, Huang Y, Yan S, Zhang Q, Xu W. Superb Silk Hydrogels with High Adaptability, Bioactivity, and Versatility Enabled by Photo-Cross-Linking. ACS NANO 2024; 18:15312-15325. [PMID: 38809601 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c05017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The exceptional biocompatibility and adaptability of hydrogels have garnered significant interest in the biomedical field for the fabrication of biomedical devices. However, conventional synthetic hydrogels still exhibit relatively weak and fragile properties. Drawing inspiration from the photosynthesis process, we developed a facile approach to achieve a harmonious combination of superior mechanical properties and efficient preparation of silk fibroin hydrogel through photo-cross-linking technology, accomplished within 60 s. The utilization of riboflavin and H2O2 enabled a sustainable cyclic photo-cross-linking reaction, facilitating the transformation from tyrosine to dityrosine and ultimately contributing to the formation of highly cross-linked hydrogels. These photo-cross-linking hydrogels exhibited excellent elasticity and restorability even after undergoing 1000 cycles of compression. Importantly, our findings presented that hydrogel-encapsulated adipose stem cells possess the ability to stimulate cell proliferation along with stem cell stemness. This was evidenced by the continuous high expression levels of OCT4 and SOX2 over 21 days. Additionally, the utilization of photo-cross-linking hydrogels can be extended to various material molding platforms, including microneedles, microcarriers, and bone screws. Consequently, this study offered a significant approach to fabricating biomedical hydrogels capable of facilitating real-time cell delivery, thereby introducing an innovative avenue for designing silk devices with exceptional machinability and adaptability in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renyan Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Jiahui Hua
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Min Ru
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Meng Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Shuqin Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Weilin Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Hubei New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
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8
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He J, Wang Z, Wu Z, Chen L, Huang J. Silk Gland Factor 1 Plays a Pivotal Role in Larval Settlement of the Fouling Mussel Mytilopsis sallei. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:417. [PMID: 38927297 PMCID: PMC11200471 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Most fouling organisms have planktonic larval and benthic adult stages. Larval settlement, the planktonic-benthic transition, is the critical point when biofouling begins. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of larval settlement is limited. In our previous studies, we identified that the AMP-activated protein kinase-silk gland factor 1 (AMPK-SGF1) pathway was involved in triggering the larval settlement in the fouling mussel M. sallei. In this study, to further confirm the pivotal role of SGF1, multiple targeted binding compounds of SGF1 were obtained using high-throughput virtual screening. It was found that the targeted binding compounds, such as NAD+ and atorvastatin, could significantly induce and inhibit the larval settlement, respectively. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR showed that the expression of the foot proteins' genes was significantly increased after the exposure to 10 μM NAD+, while the gene expression was significantly suppressed after the exposure to 10 μM atorvastatin. Additionally, the production of the byssus threads of the adults was significantly increased after the exposure to 10-20 μM of NAD+, while the production of the byssus threads was significantly decreased after the exposure to 10-50 μM of atorvastatin. This work will deepen our understanding of SGF1 in triggering the larval settlement in mussels and will provide insights into the potential targets for developing novel antifouling agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian He
- College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China;
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Zhixuan Wang
- College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Z.W.); (Z.W.); (L.C.)
| | - Zhiwen Wu
- College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Z.W.); (Z.W.); (L.C.)
| | - Liying Chen
- College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Z.W.); (Z.W.); (L.C.)
| | - Jianfang Huang
- College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China;
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9
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Patkar SS, Wang B, Mosquera AM, Kiick KL. Genetically Fusing Order-Promoting and Thermoresponsive Building Blocks to Design Hybrid Biomaterials. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400582. [PMID: 38501912 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400582] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The unique biophysical and biochemical properties of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and their recombinant derivatives, intrinsically disordered protein polymers (IDPPs) offer opportunities for producing multistimuli-responsive materials; their sequence-encoded disorder and tendency for phase separation facilitate the development of multifunctional materials. This review highlights the strategies for enhancing the structural diversity of elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) and resilin-like polypeptides (RLPs), and their self-assembled structures via genetic fusion to ordered motifs such as helical or beta sheet domains. In particular, this review describes approaches that harness the synergistic interplay between order-promoting and thermoresponsive building blocks to design hybrid biomaterials, resulting in well-structured, stimuli-responsive supramolecular materials ordered on the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai S Patkar
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716, United States
- Eli Lilly and Company, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716, United States
| | - Ana Maria Mosquera
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716, United States
| | - Kristi L Kiick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716, United States
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10
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Solomonov A, Kozell A, Shimanovich U. Designing Multifunctional Biomaterials via Protein Self-Assembly. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318365. [PMID: 38206201 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Protein self-assembly is a fundamental biological process where proteins spontaneously organize into complex and functional structures without external direction. This process is crucial for the formation of various biological functionalities. However, when protein self-assembly fails, it can trigger the development of multiple disorders, thus making understanding this phenomenon extremely important. Up until recently, protein self-assembly has been solely linked either to biological function or malfunction; however, in the past decade or two it has also been found to hold promising potential as an alternative route for fabricating materials for biomedical applications. It is therefore necessary and timely to summarize the key aspects of protein self-assembly: how the protein structure and self-assembly conditions (chemical environments, kinetics, and the physicochemical characteristics of protein complexes) can be utilized to design biomaterials. This minireview focuses on the basic concepts of forming supramolecular structures, and the existing routes for modifications. We then compare the applicability of different approaches, including compartmentalization and self-assembly monitoring. Finally, based on the cutting-edge progress made during the last years, we summarize the current knowledge about tailoring a final function by introducing changes in self-assembly and link it to biomaterials' performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Solomonov
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl st., Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Anna Kozell
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl st., Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Ulyana Shimanovich
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl st., Rehovot, 76100, Israel
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11
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Alfano C, Fichou Y, Huber K, Weiss M, Spruijt E, Ebbinghaus S, De Luca G, Morando MA, Vetri V, Temussi PA, Pastore A. Molecular Crowding: The History and Development of a Scientific Paradigm. Chem Rev 2024; 124:3186-3219. [PMID: 38466779 PMCID: PMC10979406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
It is now generally accepted that macromolecules do not act in isolation but "live" in a crowded environment, that is, an environment populated by numerous different molecules. The field of molecular crowding has its origins in the far 80s but became accepted only by the end of the 90s. In the present issue, we discuss various aspects that are influenced by crowding and need to consider its effects. This Review is meant as an introduction to the theme and an analysis of the evolution of the crowding concept through time from colloidal and polymer physics to a more biological perspective. We introduce themes that will be more thoroughly treated in other Reviews of the present issue. In our intentions, each Review may stand by itself, but the complete collection has the aspiration to provide different but complementary perspectives to propose a more holistic view of molecular crowding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Alfano
- Structural
Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione
Ri.MED, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Yann Fichou
- CNRS,
Bordeaux INP, CBMN UMR 5248, IECB, University
of Bordeaux, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Klaus Huber
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Paderborn, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Matthias Weiss
- Experimental
Physics I, Physics of Living Matter, University
of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simon Ebbinghaus
- Lehrstuhl
für Biophysikalische Chemie and Research Center Chemical Sciences
and Sustainability, Research Alliance Ruhr, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Giuseppe De Luca
- Dipartimento
di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Chimica − Emilio Segrè, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Pastore
- King’s
College London, Denmark
Hill Campus, SE5 9RT London, United Kingdom
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12
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Branković M, Zivic F, Grujovic N, Stojadinovic I, Milenkovic S, Kotorcevic N. Review of Spider Silk Applications in Biomedical and Tissue Engineering. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:169. [PMID: 38534854 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9030169] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This review will present the latest research related to the production and application of spider silk and silk-based materials in reconstructive and regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, with a focus on musculoskeletal tissues, and including skin regeneration and tissue repair of bone and cartilage, ligaments, muscle tissue, peripheral nerves, and artificial blood vessels. Natural spider silk synthesis is reviewed, and the further recombinant production of spider silk proteins. Research insights into possible spider silk structures, like fibers (1D), coatings (2D), and 3D constructs, including porous structures, hydrogels, and organ-on-chip designs, have been reviewed considering a design of bioactive materials for smart medical implants and drug delivery systems. Silk is one of the toughest natural materials, with high strain at failure and mechanical strength. Novel biomaterials with silk fibroin can mimic the tissue structure and promote regeneration and new tissue growth. Silk proteins are important in designing tissue-on-chip or organ-on-chip technologies and micro devices for the precise engineering of artificial tissues and organs, disease modeling, and the further selection of adequate medical treatments. Recent research indicates that silk (films, hydrogels, capsules, or liposomes coated with silk proteins) has the potential to provide controlled drug release at the target destination. However, even with clear advantages, there are still challenges that need further research, including clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Branković
- Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijića bb, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Liceja Knezevine Srbije 1A, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Fatima Zivic
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Liceja Knezevine Srbije 1A, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nenad Grujovic
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Liceja Knezevine Srbije 1A, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ivan Stojadinovic
- Clinic for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Clinical Center, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Strahinja Milenkovic
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Liceja Knezevine Srbije 1A, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nikola Kotorcevic
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Liceja Knezevine Srbije 1A, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
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13
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Sato H, Koshoubu J, Inoué S, Kawamura I, Yamagishi A. Multidimensional vibrational circular dichroism for insect wings: Comparison of species. Chirality 2024; 36:e23655. [PMID: 38419363 DOI: 10.1002/chir.23655] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This study reports the microscopic measurements of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) on four different insect wings using a quantum cascade laser VCD system equipped with microscopic scanning capabilities (named multi-dimensional VCD [MultiD-VCD]). Wing samples, including (i) beetle, Anomala albopilosa (female), (ii) European hornet, Verspa crabro flavofasciata Cameron, 1903 (female), (iii) tiny dragonfly, Nannophya pygmae Rambur, 1842 (male), and (iv) dragonfly, Symetrum gracile Oguma, 1915 (male), were used in this study. Two-dimensional patterns of VCD signals (~10 mm × 10 mm) were obtained at a spatial resolution of 100 μm. Measurements covered the absorption peaks assigned to amides I and II in the range of 1500-1740 cm-1 . The measurements were based on the enhancement of VCD signals for the stereoregular linkage of peptide groups. The patterns were remarkably dependent on the species. In samples (i) and (ii), the wings comprised segregated domains of protein aggregates of different secondary structures. The size of each microdomain was approximately 100 μm. In contrast, no clear VCD spectra were detected in samples (iii) and (iv). One possible reason was that the chain of stereoregular polypeptides was too short to achieve VCD enhancement in samples (iii) and (iv). Notably, the unique features were only observed in the VCD spectra because the IR spectra were nearly the same among the species. The VCD results hinted at the connection of protein microscopic structures with the wing flapping mechanisms of each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisako Sato
- Faculty of Science, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | | | - Sayako Inoué
- Geodynamics Research Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Izuru Kawamura
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan
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14
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Li M, Li J, Liu K, Zhang H. Artificial structural proteins: Synthesis, assembly and material applications. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107162. [PMID: 38308999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Structural proteins have evolved over billions of years and offer outstanding mechanical properties, such as resilience, toughness and stiffness. Advances in modular protein engineering, polypeptide modification, and synthetic biology have led to the development of novel biomimetic structural proteins to perform in biomedical and military fields. However, the development of customized structural proteins and assemblies with superior performance remains a major challenge, due to the inherent limitations of biosynthesis, difficulty in mimicking the complexed macroscale assembly, etc. This review summarizes the approaches for the design and production of biomimetic structural proteins, and their chemical modifications for multiscale assembly. Furthermore, we discuss the function tailoring and current applications of biomimetic structural protein assemblies. A perspective of future research is to reveal how the mechanical properties are encoded in the sequences and conformations. This review, therefore, provides an important reference for the development of structural proteins-mimetics from replication of nature to even outperforming nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hongjie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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15
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Bosch-Camós L, Martínez-Torró C, López-Laguna H, Lascorz J, Argilaguet J, Villaverde A, Rodríguez F, Vázquez E. Nanoparticle-Based Secretory Granules Induce a Specific and Long-Lasting Immune Response through Prolonged Antigen Release. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:435. [PMID: 38470766 DOI: 10.3390/nano14050435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Developing prolonged antigen delivery systems that mimic long-term exposure to pathogens appears as a promising but still poorly explored approach to reach durable immunities. In this study, we have used a simple technology by which His-tagged proteins can be assembled, assisted by divalent cations, as supramolecular complexes with progressive complexity, namely protein-only nanoparticles and microparticles. Microparticles produced out of nanoparticles are biomimetics of secretory granules from the mammalian hormonal system. Upon subcutaneous administration, they slowly disintegrate, acting as an endocrine-like secretory system and rendering the building block nanoparticles progressively bioavailable. The performance of such materials, previously validated for drug delivery in oncology, has been tested here regarding the potential for time-prolonged antigen release. This has been completed by taking, as a building block, a nanostructured version of p30, a main structural immunogen from the African swine fever virus (ASFV). By challenging the system in both mice and pigs, we have observed unusually potent pro-inflammatory activity in porcine macrophages, and long-lasting humoral and cellular responses in vivo, which might overcome the need for an adjuvant. The robustness of both innate and adaptive responses tag, for the first time, these dynamic depot materials as a novel and valuable instrument with transversal applicability in immune stimulation and vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Bosch-Camós
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Torró
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN, ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Hèctor López-Laguna
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN, ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jara Lascorz
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN, ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Argilaguet
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN, ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Fernando Rodríguez
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN, ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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16
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Borisova AS, Virkkala T, Pylkkänen R, Kellock M, Mohammadi P. Toughening brittle kraft lignin coating on mismatched substrate with spider Silk-Inspired protein as an interfacial modulator. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 655:789-799. [PMID: 37976752 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Current production of functional coatings majorly relies on petrochemical formulations. While they have provided substantial benefits, their fabrication processes as well as their disposal created widespread ecological catastrophes. Thus, there is a pressing demand and calls for a radical transformation to develop sustainable solutions by using renewable building blocks. Herein, we report on a novel coating formulation by combining largely undervalued kraft lignin from the forest industry, with genetically engineered and recombinantly produced spider silk-inspired protein through the industrial biotechnology platform. Unmodified kraft lignin was used as the main bulk component in the coating given its abundance and low cost. The nanometer-thin spider silk-inspired protein (SSIP) was used as a primary layer exhibiting dual functionalities: (i) modulating the mechanical properties of inherently brittle kraft lignin, (ii) substantially increasing the interfacial binding of kraft lignin to the underlying rigid silica substrate with the mismatched physicochemical properties. Our findings demonstrate how synergistic interplay components could result in scalable and durable functional coatings which could potentially be used in various medical and industrial applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Borisova
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, FI-02044 VTT, Finland.
| | - Tuuli Virkkala
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Robert Pylkkänen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, FI-02044 VTT, Finland; Centre of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Miriam Kellock
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, FI-02044 VTT, Finland; Centre of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland.
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17
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Ma Y, Cao J, Li S, Wang L, Meng Y, Chen Y. Nature-Inspired Wet Drug Delivery Platforms. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2301726. [PMID: 38284322 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Nature has created various organisms with unique chemical components and multi-scale structures (e.g., foot proteins, toe pads, suckers, setose gill lamellae) to achieve wet adhesion functions to adapt to their complex living environments. These organisms can provide inspirations for designing wet adhesives with mediated drug release behaviors in target locations of biological surfaces. They exhibit conformal and enhanced wet adhesion, addressing the bottleneck of weaker tissue interface adhesion in the presence of body fluids. Herein, it is focused on the research progress of different wet adhesion and bioinspired fabrications, including adhesive protein-based adhesion and inspired adhesives (e.g., mussel adhesion); capillarity and Stefan adhesion and inspired adhesive surfaces (e.g., tree frog adhesion); suction-based adhesion and inspired suckers (e.g., octopus' adhesion); interlocking and friction-based adhesion and potential inspirations (e.g., mayfly larva and teleost adhesion). Other secreted protein-induced wet adhesion is also reviewed and various suckers for other organisms and their inspirations. Notably, one representative application scenario of these bioinspired wet adhesives is highlighted, where they function as efficient drug delivery platforms on target tissues and/or organs with requirements of both controllable wet adhesion and optimized drug release. Finally, the challenges of these bioinspired wet drug delivery platforms in the future is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Ma
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jian Cao
- School of Software and Microelectronics, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Shiyao Li
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Lili Wang
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Yufei Meng
- Research Institute of Ornamental Plants and Landscapes, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Yupeng Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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18
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Zhang C, Peng H, Waite JH, Zhao Q. Coacervate Phase Evolution and Membrane Formation in Natural Seawater. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2219-2226. [PMID: 38207218 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12539] [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: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Marine organisms produce biological materials through the complex self-assembly of protein condensates in seawater, but our understanding of the mechanisms of microstructure evolution and maturation remains incomplete. Here, we show that critical processing attributes of mussel holdfast proteins can be captured by the design of an amphiphilic, fluorescent polymer (PECHIA) consisting of a polyepichlorohydrin backbone grafted with 1-imidazolium acetonitrile. Aqueous solutions of PECHIA were extruded into seawater, wherein the charge repulsion of PECHIA is screened by high salinity, facilitating interfacial condensation via enhanced "cation-dipole" interactions. Diffusion of seawater into the PECHIA solution caused droplets to form immiscibly within the PECHIA phase (i.e., inverse coacervation). Simultaneously, weakly alkaline seawater catalyzes nitrile cyclization and time-dependent solidification of the PECHIA phase, leading to hierarchically porous membranes analogous to porous architectures in mussel plaques. In contrast to conventional polymer processing technologies, processing of this biomimetic polymer required neither organic solvents nor heating and enabled the template-free production of hollow spheres and fibers over a wide range of salinities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongrui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Huawen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - J Herbert Waite
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Qiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
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19
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Wu X, Sun Y, Yu J, Miserez A. Tuning the viscoelastic properties of peptide coacervates by single amino acid mutations and salt kosmotropicity. Commun Chem 2024; 7:5. [PMID: 38177438 PMCID: PMC10766971 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01094-y] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Coacervation, or liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomacromolecules, is increasingly recognized to play an important role both intracellularly and in the extracellular space. Central questions that remain to be addressed are the links between the material properties of coacervates (condensates) and both the primary and the secondary structures of their constitutive building blocks. Short LLPS-prone peptides, such as GY23 variants explored in this study, are ideal model systems to investigate these links because simple sequence modifications and the chemical environment strongly affect the viscoelastic properties of coacervates. Herein, a systematic investigation of the structure/property relationships of peptide coacervates was conducted using GY23 variants, combining biophysical characterization (plate rheology and surface force apparatus, SFA) with secondary structure investigations by infrared (IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Mutating specific residues into either more hydrophobic or more hydrophilic residues strongly regulates the viscoelastic properties of GY23 coacervates. Furthermore, the ionic strength and kosmotropic characteristics (Hofmeister series) of the buffer in which LLPS is induced also significantly impact the properties of formed coacervates. Structural investigations by CD and IR indicate a direct correlation between variations in properties induced by endogenous (peptide sequence) or exogenous (ionic strength, kosmotropic characteristics, aging) factors and the β-sheet content within coacervates. These findings provide valuable insights to rationally design short peptide coacervates with programmable materials properties that are increasingly used in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Yue Sun
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore
| | - Jing Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637553, Singapore.
- School of Biological Sciences, 60 Nanyang Drive, NTU, Singapore, 636921, Singapore.
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20
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Sun Y, Hiew SH, Miserez A. Bioinspired Squid Peptides─A Tale of Curiosity-Driven Research Leading to Unforeseen Biomedical Applications. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:164-174. [PMID: 38117659 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00685] [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: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The molecular design of many peptide-based materials originates from structural proteins identified in living organisms. Prominent examples that have garnered broad interdisciplinary research interest (chemistry, materials science, bioengineering, etc.) include elastin, silk, or mussel adhesive proteins. The critical first steps in this type of research are to identify a convenient model system of interest followed by sequencing the prevailing proteins from which these biological structures are assembled. In our laboratory, the main model systems for many years have been the hard biotools of cephalopods, particularly their parrot-like tough beak and their sucker ring teeth (SRT) embedded within the sucker cuptions that line the interior surfaces of their arms and tentacles. Unlike the majority of biological hard tissues, these structures are devoid of biominerals and consist of protein/polysaccharide biomolecular composites (the beak) or, in the case of SRT, are entirely made of proteins that are assembled by supramolecular interactions.In this Account, we chronicle our journey into the discovery of these intriguing biological materials. We initially focus on their excellent mechanical robustness followed by the identification and sequencing of the structural proteins from which they are built, using the latest "omics" techniques including next-generation sequencing and high-throughput proteomics. A common feature of these proteins is their modular architecture at the molecular level consisting of short peptide repeats. We describe the molecular design of these peptide building blocks, highlighting the consensus motifs identified to play a key role in biofabrication and in regulating the mechanical properties of the macroscopic biological material. Structure/property relationships unveiled through advanced spectroscopic and scattering techniques, including Raman, infrared, circular dichroism, and NMR spectroscopies as well as wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering, are also discussed.We then present recent developments in exploiting the discovered molecular designs to engineer peptides and their conjugates for promising biomedical applications. One example includes short peptide hydrogels that self-assemble entirely under aqueous conditions and simultaneously encapsulate large macromolecules during the gelation process. A second example involves peptide coacervate microdroplets produced by liquid-liquid phase separation. These microdroplets are capable of recruiting and delivering large macromolecular therapeutics (genes, mRNA, proteins, peptides, CRISPR/Cas 9 modalities, etc.) into mammalian cells, which introduces exciting prospects in cancer, gene, and immune therapies.This Account also serves as a testament to how curiosity-driven explorations, which may lack an obvious practical goal initially, can lead to discoveries with unexpected and promising translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 637553, Singapore
| | - Shu Hui Hiew
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 637553, Singapore
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory (BBML), Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 637553, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, NTU, 637551, Singapore
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21
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Fedorov D, Roas-Escalona N, Tolmachev D, Harmat AL, Scacchi A, Sammalkorpi M, Aranko AS, Linder MB. Triblock Proteins with Weakly Dimerizing Terminal Blocks and an Intrinsically Disordered Region for Rational Design of Condensate Properties. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2306817. [PMID: 37964343 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Condensates are molecular assemblies that are formed through liquid-liquid phase separation and play important roles in many biological processes. The rational design of condensate formation and their properties is central to applications, such as biosynthetic materials, synthetic biology, and for understanding cell biology. Protein engineering is used to make a triblock structure with varying terminal blocks of folded proteins on both sides of an intrinsically disordered mid-region. Dissociation constants are determined in the range of micromolar to millimolar for a set of proteins suitable for use as terminal blocks. Varying the weak dimerization of terminal blocks leads to an adjustable tendency for condensate formation while keeping the intrinsically disordered region constant. The dissociation constants of the terminal domains correlate directly with the tendency to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation. Differences in physical properties, such as diffusion rate are not directly correlated with the strength of dimerization but can be understood from the properties and interplay of the constituent blocks. The work demonstrates the importance of weak interactions in condensate formation and shows a principle for protein design that will help in fabricating functional condensates in a predictable and rational way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii Fedorov
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Nelmary Roas-Escalona
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Dmitry Tolmachev
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Adam L Harmat
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Alberto Scacchi
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Maria Sammalkorpi
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
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22
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Feng J, Gabryelczyk B, Tunn I, Osmekhina E, Linder MB. A Minispidroin Guides the Molecular Design for Cellular Condensation Mechanisms in S. cerevisiae. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3050-3063. [PMID: 37688556 PMCID: PMC10594646 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00374] [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: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Structural engineering of molecules for condensation is an emerging technique within synthetic biology. Liquid-liquid phase separation of biomolecules leading to condensation is a central step in the assembly of biological materials into their functional forms. Intracellular condensates can also function within cells in a regulatory manner to facilitate reaction pathways and to compartmentalize interactions. We need to develop a strong understanding of how to design molecules for condensates and how their in vivo-in vitro properties are related. The spider silk protein NT2RepCT undergoes condensation during its fiber-forming process. Using parallel in vivo and in vitro characterization, in this study, we mapped the effects of intracellular conditions for NT2RepCT and its several structural variants. We found that intracellular conditions may suppress to some extent condensation whereas molecular crowding affects both condensate properties and their formation. Intracellular characterization of protein condensation allowed experiments on pH effects and solubilization to be performed within yeast cells. The growth of intracellular NT2RepCT condensates was restricted, and Ostwald ripening was not observed in yeast cells, in contrast to earlier observations in E. coli. Our results lead the way to using intracellular condensation to screen for properties of molecular assembly. For characterizing different structural variants, intracellular functional characterization can eliminate the need for time-consuming batch purification and in vitro condensation. Therefore, we suggest that the in vivo-in vitro understanding will become useful in, e.g., high-throughput screening for molecular functions and in strategies for designing tunable intracellular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Feng
- Department of Bioproducts
and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering and Academy of Finland
Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Bartosz Gabryelczyk
- Department of Bioproducts
and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering and Academy of Finland
Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Isabell Tunn
- Department of Bioproducts
and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering and Academy of Finland
Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Ekaterina Osmekhina
- Department of Bioproducts
and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering and Academy of Finland
Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Markus B. Linder
- Department of Bioproducts
and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering and Academy of Finland
Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
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23
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Zhang X, Li J, Ma C, Zhang H, Liu K. Biomimetic Structural Proteins: Modular Assembly and High Mechanical Performance. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:2664-2675. [PMID: 37738227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based biomaterials attract growing interests due to their encoded and programmable robust mechanical properties, superelasticity, plasticity, shape adaptability, excellent interfacial behavior, etc., derived from sequence-guided backbone structures, particularly compared to chemically synthetic counterparts in materials science and biomedical engineering. For example, protein materials have been successfully fabricated as (1) artificial implants (man-made tendons, cartilages, or dental tissues), due to programmable chemistry and biocompatibility; (2) smart biodevices with temperature/light-response and self-healing effects; and (3) impact resistance materials having great mechanical performance due to biomimetics. However, the existing method of regenerating protein materials from natural sources has two critical issues, low yield and structural damage, making it unable to meet demands. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an alternative strategy for fabricating protein materials. Heterologous expression of natural proteins with a modular assembly approach is an effective strategy for material preparation. Standardized, easy-to-assemble protein modules with specific structures and functions are developed through experimental and computational tools based on natural functional protein sequences. Through recombination and heterologous expression, these artificial protein modules become keys to material fabrication. Undergoing an assembly process similar to supramolecular self-assembly of proteins in cells, biomimetic modules can be fabricated for formation of macroscopic materials such as fibers and adhesives. This strategy inspired by synthetic biology and supramolecular chemistry is important for improving target protein yields and assembly integrity. It also preserves and optimizes the mechanical functions of structural proteins, accelerating the design and fabrication of artificial protein materials.In this Account, we overview recent studies on fabricating biomimetic protein materials to elucidate the concept of modular assembly. We discuss the design of biomimetic structural proteins at the molecular level, providing a wealth of details determining the bulk properties of materials. Additinally, we describe the modular self-assembly and assembly driven by inducing molecules, and mechanical properties and applications of resulting fibers. We used these strategies to develop fiber materials with high tensile strength, high toughness, and properties such as anti-icing and high-temperature resistance. We also extended this approach to design protein-based adhesives with ultra-strong adhesion, biocompatibility, and biodegradability for surgical applications such as wound sealing and healing. Other protein materials, including films and hydrogels, have been developed through chemical assembly routes. Finally, we describe exploiting synthetic biology and chemistry to overcome bottlenecks in structural protein modular design, biosynthesis, and material assembly and our perspectives for future development in structural biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Xiangfu Laboratory, Building 5, No.828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314102, China
| | - Hongjie Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Xiangfu Laboratory, Building 5, No.828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314102, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Xiangfu Laboratory, Building 5, No.828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314102, China
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24
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Sun J, Sun M, Zang J, Zhang T, Lv C, Zhao G. Highly Stretchable, Transparent, and Adhesive Double-Network Hydrogel Dressings Tailored with Fish Gelatin and Glycyrrhizic Acid for Wound Healing. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:42304-42316. [PMID: 37647580 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
It remains challenging to fabricate highly stretchable and adhesive hydrogel dressings for wound healing using simple, safe, and green methods. Herein, inspired by the main components of snail mucus, a fully physical double-network (DN) hydrogel dressing composed of fish gelatin (FGel) and glycyrrhizic acid (GL) was fabricated, in which FGel provided a protein scaffold to mimic snail mucus proteins, while GL mimicked the adhesion and bioactivity of snail mucus because of its abundant carboxyl and hydroxyl groups and intrinsic immunomodulatory activity. As expected, the obtained FGel/GL hydrogel dressings exhibited outstanding mechanical and adhesive performances (flexibility, stretchability, adhesive ability, and removability), high transparency, and good antifreezing properties. More importantly, they also possessed excellent biocompatibility, cell migration, and angiogenesis ability in vitro experiments. Finally, animal experiments in vivo indicated that the FGel/GL hydrogel dressings significantly promoted full-thickness wound healing, including promoting granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, and skin angiogenesis and inhibiting the inflammatory response. All these findings indicated that the FGel/GL hydrogel dressings have great potential for applications in the clinical treatment of wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jishuai Sun
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Mingyang Sun
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jiachen Zang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tuo Zhang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chenyan Lv
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Guanghua Zhao
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, Beijing 100083, China
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25
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Álamo P, Parladé E, Favaro MTP, Gallardo A, Mendoza R, Ferreira LC, Roher N, Mangues R, Villaverde A, Vázquez E. Probing the Biosafety of Implantable Artificial Secretory Granules for the Sustained Release of Bioactive Proteins. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:39167-39175. [PMID: 37614001 PMCID: PMC10450642 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Among bio-inspired protein materials, secretory protein microparticles are of clinical interest as self-contained, slow protein delivery platforms that mimic secretory granules of the human endocrine system, in which the protein is both the drug and the scaffold. Upon subcutaneous injection, their progressive disintegration results in the sustained release of the building block polypeptides, which reach the bloodstream for systemic distribution and subsequent biological effects. Such entities are easily fabricated in vitro by Zn-assisted cross-molecular coordination of histidine residues. Using cationic Zn for the assembly of selected pure protein species and in the absence of any heterologous holding material, these granules are expected to be nontoxic and therefore adequate for different clinical uses. However, such presumed biosafety has not been so far confirmed and the potential protein dosage threshold not probed yet. By selecting the receptor binding domain (RBD) from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein as a model protein and using a mouse lab model, we have explored the toxicity of RBD-made secretory granules at increasing doses up to ∼100 mg/kg of animal weight. By monitoring body weight and biochemical blood markers and through the histological scrutiny of main tissues and organs, we have not observed systemic toxicity. Otherwise, the bioavailability of the material was demonstrated by the induction of specific antibody responses. The presented data confirm the intrinsic biosafety of artificial secretory granules made by recombinant proteins and prompt their further clinical development as self-contained and dynamic protein reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Álamo
- Institut
d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Josep
Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- CIBER
de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN,
ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Eloi Parladé
- CIBER
de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN,
ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marianna T. P. Favaro
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Instituto
de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade
de São Paulo, São
Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Alberto Gallardo
- Institut
d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department
of Pathology, Hospital de la Santa Creu
i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Mendoza
- CIBER
de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN,
ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Luís C.
S. Ferreira
- Instituto
de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade
de São Paulo, São
Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Nerea Roher
- CIBER
de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN,
ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Department
of Cell Biology, Animal Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ramón Mangues
- Institut
d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Josep
Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- CIBER
de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN,
ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- CIBER
de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN,
ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament
de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- CIBER
de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN,
ISCIII), Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament
de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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26
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Välisalmi T, Roas-Escalona N, Meinander K, Mohammadi P, Linder MB. Highly Hydrophobic Films of Engineered Silk Proteins by a Simple Deposition Method. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:4370-4381. [PMID: 36926896 PMCID: PMC10061925 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Molecular engineering of protein structures offers a uniquely versatile route for novel functionalities in materials. Here, we describe a method to form highly hydrophobic thin films using genetically engineered spider silk proteins. We used structurally engineered protein variants containing ADF3 and AQ12 spider silk sequences. Wetting properties were studied using static and dynamic contact angle measurements. Solution conditions and the surrounding humidity during film preparation were key parameters to obtain high hydrophobicity, as shown by contact angles in excess of 120°. Although the surface layer was highly hydrophobic, its structure was disrupted by the added water droplets. Crystal-like structures were found at the spots where water droplets had been placed. To understand the mechanism of film formation, different variants of the proteins, the topography of the films, and secondary structures of the protein components were studied. The high contact angle in the films demonstrates that the conformations that silk proteins take in the protein layer very efficiently expose their hydrophobic segments. This work reveals a highly amphiphilic nature of silk proteins and contributes to an understanding of their assembly mechanisms. It will also help in designing diverse technical uses for recombinant silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teemu Välisalmi
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Nelmary Roas-Escalona
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Kristoffer Meinander
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT
Technical Research Centre of Finland, Limited (VTT), FI-02044 Espoo, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Markus B. Linder
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Centre
of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Post Office Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland
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