Collagen-derived dipeptide Pro-Hyp administration accelerates muscle regenerative healing accompanied by less scarring after wounding on the abdominal wall in mice

Improved digestibility and bioavailability of pea protein following enzymatic treatment and fermentation by lactic acid bacteria

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) have a potential commercial value because of their high protein content, non-GMO status, low allergenicity. This study examined changes in the digestion and absorption properties of enzyme-modified and fermented pea protein (EFPP) produced through enzymatic treatment of pea protein and fermentation with lactic acid bacteria. EFPP was digested 22.50% more than isolated pea protein (IPP) during the first 15 min in vitro digestion model. Based on the Caco-2 cell monolayer model, EFPP showed 38.40% higher bioavailability than IPP. Gel Permeation Chromatography showed that the average molecular weight of EFPP was 98.79% lower than that of IPP. The secondary structure of protein was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and it showed a 53.92% reduction in β-sheet of EFPP than IPP. These results indicate that enzyme treatment and fermentation of pea protein reduced the molecular weight, modified the secondary structure, and improved digestibility and bioavailability.

Hydroxyproline metabolism enhances IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression and inhibits autophagic flux

The immune checkpoint protein PD-L1 plays critical roles in both immune system homeostasis and tumor progression. Impaired PD-1/PD-L1 function promotes autoimmunity and PD-L1 expression within tumors promotes immune evasion. If and how changes in metabolism or defined metabolites regulate PD-L1 expression is not fully understood. Here, using a metabolomics activity screening-based approach, we have determined that hydroxyproline (Hyp) significantly and directly enhances adaptive (i.e., IFN-γ-induced) PD-L1 expression in multiple relevant myeloid and cancer cell types. Mechanistic studies reveal that Hyp acts as an inhibitor of autophagic flux, which allows it to regulate this negative feedback mechanism, thereby contributing to its overall effect on PD-L1 expression. Due to its prevalence in fibrotic tumors, these findings suggest that hydroxyproline could contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and that Hyp metabolism could be targeted to pharmacologically control PD-L1 expression for the treatment of cancer or autoimmune diseases.

Monitoring the macrophage response towards biomaterial implants using label-free imaging

Understanding the immune system's foreign body response (FBR) is essential when developing and validating a biomaterial. Macrophage activation and proliferation are critical events in FBR that can determine the material's biocompatibility and fate in vivo. In this study, two different macro-encapsulation pouches intended for pancreatic islet transplantation were implanted into streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat models for 15 days. Post-explantation, the fibrotic capsules were analyzed by standard immunohistochemistry as well as non-invasive Raman microspectroscopy to determine the degree of FBR induced by both materials. The potential of Raman microspectroscopy to discern different processes of FBR was investigated and it was shown that Raman microspectroscopy is capable of targeting ECM components of the fibrotic capsule as well as pro and anti-inflammatory macrophage activation states, in a molecular-sensitive and marker-independent manner. In combination with multivariate analysis, spectral shifts reflecting conformational differences in Col I were identified and allowed to discriminate fibrotic and native interstitial connective tissue fibers. Moreover, spectral signatures retrieved from nuclei demonstrated changes in methylation states of nucleic acids in M1 and M2 phenotypes, relevant as indicator for fibrosis progression. This study could successfully implement Raman microspectroscopy as complementary tool to study in vivo immune-compatibility providing insightful information of FBR of biomaterials and medical devices, post-implantation.

Effects of collagen peptide supplementation on cardiovascular markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials

Previous studies have advocated that collagen peptide supplementation (CPS) can positively affect cardiovascular health. However, the widespread impact of CPS on CVD-related markers is not fully resolved. Consequently, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of CPS on CVD-related markers. A systematic search in the Scopus, PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases were completed to identify relevant randomised, placebo-controlled trials (RCT) published up to November 2021. Mean Differences were pooled using a random-effects model, while publication bias, sensitivity analyses and heterogeneity were assessed using previously validated methods. Twelve RCT, comprising of a total of eleven measured markers, were selected for the quantitative analysis. Pooled data revealed that CPS significantly decreased fat mass (-1·21 kg; 95 % CI: -2·13, -0·29; I² = 0·0 %; P = 0·010) and increased fat-free mass, based on body mass percentage (1·49 %; 95 % CI: 0·57, 2·42; I² = 0·0 %; P = 0·002). Moreover, collagen peptide supplementation led to a significant decrease in serum LDL (-4·09 mg/dl; 95 % CI: -8·13, -0·04; I² = 93·4 %; P = 0·048) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-5·04 mmHg; 95 % CI: -9·22, -0·85; I² = 98·9 %; P = 0·018). Our analysis also indicated that CPS did not affect glycemic markers. Our outcomes indicate that CPS reduces fat mass, LDL and SBP while increasing fat-free mass. Future investigations with longer CPS duration are needed to expand on our results.

Engineering multifunctional bioactive citrate-based biomaterials for tissue engineering

Developing bioactive biomaterials with highly controlled functions is crucial to enhancing their applications in regenerative medicine. Citrate-based polymers are the few bioactive polymer biomaterials used in biomedicine because of their facile synthesis, controllable structure, biocompatibility, biomimetic viscoelastic mechanical behavior, and functional groups available for modification. In recent years, various multifunctional designs and biomedical applications, including cardiovascular, orthopedic, muscle tissue, skin tissue, nerve and spinal cord, bioimaging, and drug or gene delivery based on citrate-based polymers, have been extensively studied, and many of them have good clinical application potential. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the multifunctional design and biomedical applications of citrate-based polymers. We also discuss the further development of multifunctional citrate-based polymers with tailored properties to meet the requirements of various biomedical applications.

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Multifunctional bioactive citrate-based biomaterials have broad applications in regenerative medicine.

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Recent advances in multifunctional design and biomedical applications of citate-based polymers are summarized.

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Future challenge of citrate-based polymers in various biomedical applications are discussed.

Identification of a highly stable bioactive 3-hydroxyproline-containing tripeptide in human blood after collagen hydrolysate ingestion

There are increasing reports demonstrating high bioavailability of 4-hydroxyproline (4Hyp)-containing oligopeptides after oral ingestion of collagen hydrolysate and their bioactivity. In contrast, no study investigates the fate of another collagen-specific but minor amino acid, 3Hyp. Here, we identified Gly-3Hyp-4Hyp tripeptide in human blood at high concentrations, comparable to other 4Hyp-containing oligopeptides, after ingesting porcine skin collagen hydrolysate. Additionally, Gly-3Hyp-4Hyp uniquely maintained the maximum concentration until 4 h after the ingestion due to its exceptionally high resistance to peptidase/protease demonstrated by incubation with mouse plasma. In mice, oral administration of collagen hydrolysate prepared from bovine tendon, which contains a higher amount of 3Hyp, further increased blood Gly-3Hyp-4Hyp levels compared to that from bovine skin. Furthermore, Gly-3Hyp-4Hyp showed chemotactic activity on skin fibroblasts and promoted osteoblast differentiation. These results highlight the specific nature of the Gly-3Hyp-4Hyp tripeptide and its potential for health promotion and disease treatment.

Injectable laminin-biofunctionalized gellan gum hydrogels loaded with myoblasts for skeletal muscle regeneration

Moderate muscular injuries that exceed muscular tissue's auto-healing capacity are still a topic of noteworthy concern. Tissue engineering appeared as a promising therapeutic strategy capable of overcoming this unmet clinical need. To attain such goal, herein we propose an in situ-crosslinking gellan gum (GG)-based hydrogel tethered with a skeletal muscle-inspired laminin-derived peptide RKRLQVQLSIRTC(Q) and encapsulated with skeletal muscle cells (SMCs). Pre-hydrogel solutions presented decreasing shear viscosity with increasing shear rate and shear stress, and required low forces for extrusion, validating their injectability. The GGDVS hydrogel was functionalized with Q-peptide with 30% of efficiency. C2C12 were able to adhere to the developed hydrogel, remained living and spreading 7 days post-encapsulation. Q-peptide release studies indicated that 25% of the unbound peptide can be released from the hydrogels up to 7 days, dependent on the hydrogel formulation. Treatment of a chemically-induced muscular lesion in mice with an injection of C2C12-laden hydrogels improved myogenesis, primarily promoted by the C2C12. In accordance, a high density of myoblasts (α-SA⁺ and MYH7⁺) were localized in tissues treated with the C2C12 (alone or encapsulated in the hydrogel). α-SA protein levels were significantly increased 8 weeks post-treatment with C2C12-laden hydrogels and MHC protein levels were increased in all experimental groups 4 weeks post-treatment, in relation to the SHAM. Neovascularization and neoinnervation was also detected in the defects. Altogether, this study indicates that C2C12-laden hydrogels hold great potential for skeletal muscle regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We developed an injectable gellan gum-based hydrogel for delivering C2C12 into localized myopathic model. The gellan gum was biofunctinalized with laminin-derived peptide to mimic the native muscular ECM. In addition, hydrogel was physically tuned to mimic the mechanical properties of native tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this formula was used for the first time under the context of skeletal muscle tissue regeneration. The injectability of the developed hydrogel provided non-invasive administration method, combined with a reliable microenvironment that can host C2C12 with nominal inflammation, indicated by the survival and adhesion of encapsulated cells post-injection. The treatment of skeletal muscle defect with the cell-laden hydrogel approach significantly enhanced the regeneration of localized muscular trauma.

Defining and identifying satellite cell-opathies within muscular dystrophies and myopathies

Muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies arise from specific genetic mutations causing skeletal muscle weakness that reduces quality of life. Muscle health relies on resident muscle stem cells called satellite cells, which enable life-course muscle growth, maintenance, repair and regeneration. Such tuned plasticity gradually diminishes in muscle diseases, suggesting compromised satellite cell function. A central issue however, is whether the pathogenic mutation perturbs satellite cell function directly and/or indirectly via an increasingly hostile microenvironment as disease progresses. Here, we explore the effects on satellite cell function of pathogenic mutations in genes (myopathogenes) that associate with muscle disorders, to evaluate clinical and muscle pathological hallmarks that define dysfunctional satellite cells. We deploy transcriptomic analysis and comparison between muscular dystrophies and myopathies to determine the contribution of satellite cell dysfunction using literature, expression dynamics of myopathogenes and their response to the satellite cell regulator PAX7. Our multimodal approach extends current pathological classifications to define Satellite Cell-opathies: muscle disorders in which satellite cell dysfunction contributes to pathology. Primary Satellite Cell-opathies are conditions where mutations in a myopathogene directly affect satellite cell function, such as in Progressive Congenital Myopathy with Scoliosis (MYOSCO) and Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome (CFZS). Primary satellite cell-opathies are generally characterised as being congenital with general hypotonia, and specific involvement of respiratory, trunk and facial muscles, although serum CK levels are usually within the normal range. Secondary Satellite Cell-opathies have mutations in myopathogenes that affect both satellite cells and muscle fibres. Such classification aids diagnosis and predicting probable disease course, as well as informing on treatment and therapeutic development.

A novel mouse wound model for scar tissue formation in abdominal muscle wall

Hypertrophic scars found on the human body rarely develop in experimental animals, possibly due to their looser skin structure. This makes it difficult to understand the genesis of scar lesions. Therefore, appropriate animal models are urgently needed. In this study, we established a novel experimental model of a scar-forming wound by resecting a small portion of the abdominal muscle wall on the lower center of the abdomen in C57BL/6N mice, which are exposed to contractive forces by the surrounding muscle tissue. As a low-tension control, a back skin excision model was used with a splint fixed onto the excised skin edge, and granulation tissue formed on the muscle fascia supported by the back skeleton. One week after the resection, initial healing reactions, such as fibroblast proliferation, occurred in both models. However, after 21 days, lesions with collagen-rich granulation tissues, which were also accompanied by multiple nodular/spherical-like structures, developed only in the abdominal wall model. These lesions were analogous to scar lesions in humans. Therefore, the animal model developed in this study is unique in that fibrous scar tissues form under physiological conditions without using any artificial factors and is valuable for studying the pathogenesis and preclinical treatment of scar lesions.