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Cringoli MC, Marchesan S. Cysteine Redox Chemistry in Peptide Self-Assembly to Modulate Hydrogelation. Molecules 2023; 28:4970. [PMID: 37446630 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28134970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cysteine redox chemistry is widely used in nature to direct protein assembly, and in recent years it has inspired chemists to design self-assembling peptides too. In this concise review, we describe the progress in the field focusing on the recent advancements that make use of Cys thiol-disulfide redox chemistry to modulate hydrogelation of various peptide classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Cringoli
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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2
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Natarajan A, Rangan K, Vadrevu R. Self-assembly of a peptide sequence, EKKE, composed of exclusively charged amino acids: Role of charge in morphology and lead binding. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3451. [PMID: 36098076 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3451] [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: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly of peptides is influenced by their amino acid sequence and other factors including pH, charge, temperature, and solvent. Herein, we explore whether a four-residue sequence, EKKE, consisting of exclusively charged amino acids shows the propensity to form self-assembled ordered nanostructures and whether the overall charge plays any role in morphological and functional properties. From a combination of experimental data provided by Thioflavin T fluorescence, Congo red absorbance, circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy, it is clear that the all-polar peptide and charged EKKE sequence shows a pH-dependent tendency to form amyloid-like structures, and the self-assembled entities under acidic, basic and neutral conditions exhibit morphological variation. Additionally, the ability of the self-assembled amyloid nanostructures to bind to the toxic metal, lead (Pb2+ ), was demonstrated from the analysis of the ultraviolet absorbance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data. The modulation at the sequence level for the amyloid-forming EKKE scaffold can further extend its potential role not only in the remediation of other toxic metals but also towards biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Natarajan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India
| | - Krishnan Rangan
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India
| | - Ramakrishna Vadrevu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India
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3
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Oliveira CBP, Gomes V, Ferreira PMT, Martins JA, Jervis PJ. Peptide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels as Drug Delivery Agents: Recent Advances. Gels 2022; 8:706. [PMID: 36354614 PMCID: PMC9689023 DOI: 10.3390/gels8110706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular peptide hydrogels have many important applications in biomedicine, including drug delivery applications for the sustained release of therapeutic molecules. Targeted and selective drug administration is often preferential to systemic drug delivery, as it can allow reduced doses and can avoid the toxicity and side-effects caused by off-target binding. New discoveries are continually being reported in this rapidly developing field. In this review, we report the latest developments in supramolecular peptide-based hydrogels for drug delivery, focusing primarily on discoveries that have been reported in the last four years (2018-present). We address clinical points, such as peptide self-assembly and drug release, mechanical properties in drug delivery, peptide functionalization, bioadhesive properties and drug delivery enhancement strategies, drug release profiles, and different hydrogel matrices for anticancer drug loading and release.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Peter J. Jervis
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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4
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Pugliese R, Montuori M, Gelain F. Bioinspired photo-crosslinkable self-assembling peptides with pH-switchable "on-off" luminescence. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2022; 4:447-456. [PMID: 36132689 PMCID: PMC9418485 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00688f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in peptide self-assembly over the past two decades; however, the in situ cross-linking of self-assembling peptides yielding better performing nanomaterials is still in its infancy. Indeed, self-assembling peptides (SAPs), relying only on non-covalent interactions, are mechanically unstable and susceptible to solvent erosion, greatly hindering their practical application. Herein, drawing inspiration from the biological functions of tyrosine, we present a photo-cross-linking approach for the in situ cross-linking of a tyrosine-containing LDLK12 SAP. This method is based on the ruthenium-complex-catalyzed conversion of tyrosine to dityrosine upon light irradiation. We observed a stable formation of dityrosine cross-linking starting from 5 minutes, with a maximum peak after 1 hour of UV irradiation. Furthermore, the presence of a ruthenium complex among the assembled peptide bundles bestows unusual fluorescence intensity stability up to as high as 42 °C, compared to the bare ruthenium complex. Also, due to a direct deprotonation-protonation process between the ruthenium complex and SAP molecules, the fluorescence of the photo-cross-linked SAP is capable of exhibiting "off-on-off-on" luminescence switchable from acid to basic pH. Lastly, we showed that the photo-cross-linked hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical stability with a storage modulus of ∼26 kPa, due to the formation of a densely entangled fibrous network of SAP molecules through dityrosine linkages. As such, this ruthenium-mediated photo-cross-linked SAP hydrogel could be useful in the design of novel tyrosine containing SAP materials with intriguing potential for biomedical imaging, pH sensing, photonics, soft electronics, and bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Pugliese
- Tissue Engineering Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies-ISBReMIT, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo FG Italy
- NeMO Lab, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda 20162 Milan Italy
| | - Monica Montuori
- Biotechnology and Biosciences Department, University of Milano-Bicocca 20162 Milan Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gelain
- Tissue Engineering Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies-ISBReMIT, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo FG Italy
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda 20162 Milan Italy
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5
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Delfi M, Sartorius R, Ashrafizadeh M, Sharifi E, Zhang Y, De Berardinis P, Zarrabi A, Varma RS, Tay FR, Smith BR, Makvandi P. Self-assembled peptide and protein nanostructures for anti-cancer therapy: Targeted delivery, stimuli-responsive devices and immunotherapy. NANO TODAY 2021; 38:101119. [PMID: 34267794 PMCID: PMC8276870 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled peptides and proteins possess tremendous potential as targeted drug delivery systems and key applications of these well-defined nanostructures reside in anti-cancer therapy. Peptides and proteins can self-assemble into nanostructures of diverse sizes and shapes in response to changing environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, as well as host and guest molecular interactions; their countless benefits include good biocompatibility and high loading capacity for hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. These self-assembled nanomaterials can be adorned with functional moieties to specifically target tumor cells. Stimuli-responsive features can also be incorporated with respect to the tumor microenvironment. This review sheds light on the growing interest in self-assembled peptides and proteins and their burgeoning applications in cancer treatment and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Delfi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Rossella Sartorius
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Esmaeel Sharifi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, 6517838736, Hamadan, Iran
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, IPCB-CNR, Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Yapei Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rajender S. Varma
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Franklin R Tay
- The Graduate School, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Bryan Ronain Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Radiology and the Molecular Imaging Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Micro-BioRobotics, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
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Balasco N, Diaferia C, Morelli G, Vitagliano L, Accardo A. Amyloid-Like Aggregation in Diseases and Biomaterials: Osmosis of Structural Information. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:641372. [PMID: 33748087 PMCID: PMC7966729 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.641372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery that the polypeptide chain has a remarkable and intrinsic propensity to form amyloid-like aggregates endowed with an extraordinary stability is one of the most relevant breakthroughs of the last decades in both protein/peptide chemistry and structural biology. This observation has fundamental implications, as the formation of these assemblies is systematically associated with the insurgence of severe neurodegenerative diseases. Although the ability of proteins to form aggregates rich in cross-β structure has been highlighted by recent studies of structural biology, the determination of the underlying atomic models has required immense efforts and inventiveness. Interestingly, the progressive molecular and structural characterization of these assemblies has opened new perspectives in apparently unrelated fields. Indeed, the self-assembling through the cross-β structure has been exploited to generate innovative biomaterials endowed with promising mechanical and spectroscopic properties. Therefore, this structural motif has become the fil rouge connecting these diversified research areas. In the present review, we report a chronological recapitulation, also performing a survey of the structural content of the Protein Data Bank, of the milestones achieved over the years in the characterization of cross-β assemblies involved in the insurgence of neurodegenerative diseases. A particular emphasis is given to the very recent successful elucidation of amyloid-like aggregates characterized by remarkable molecular and structural complexities. We also review the state of the art of the structural characterization of cross-β based biomaterials by highlighting the benefits of the osmosis of information between these two research areas. Finally, we underline the new promising perspectives that recent successful characterizations of disease-related amyloid-like assemblies can open in the biomaterial field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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7
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Armen JM, Schueller NR, Velankar KY, Abraham N, Palchesko RN, Fan Y, Meng WS, Gawalt ES. Chemically-Induced Cross-Linking of Peptidic Fibrils for Scaffolding Polymeric Particles and Macrophages. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2000350. [PMID: 33502824 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202000350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
EAK16-II (EAK) is a self-assembling peptide (SAP) that forms β-sheets and β-fibrils through ionic-complementary interactions at physiological ionic strengths. The soft materials can be injected in vivo, creating depots of drugs and cells for rendering pharmacological and biological actions. The scope of the applications of EAK is sought to extend to tissues through which the flow of extracellular fluid tends to be limited. In such anatomical locales the rate and extent of the fibrilization are limited insofar as drug delivery and cellular scaffolding would be impeded. A method is generated utilizing a carbodiimide cross-linker by which EAK fibrils are pre-assembled yet remain injectable soft materials. It is hypothesized that the resulting de novo covalent linkages enhance the stacking of the β-sheet bilayers, thereby increasing the lengths of the fibrils and the extent of their cross-linking, as evidenced in Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy analyses. The cross-linked EAK (clEAK) retains polymeric microspheres with an average diameter of 1 µm. Macrophages admixed with clEAK remain viable and do not produce the inflammatory mediator interleukin-1β. These results indicate that clEAK should be investigated further as a platform for delivering particles and cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Armen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA
| | - Nathan R Schueller
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA.,University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, USA
| | - Ketki Y Velankar
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA.,University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, USA
| | - Nevil Abraham
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA.,University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, USA
| | - Rachelle N Palchesko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Yong Fan
- Cellular Therapeutics Institute, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, 15202, USA.,The Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Wilson S Meng
- The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, USA.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA.,University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, USA
| | - Ellen S Gawalt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA.,The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, USA
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