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Balasco N, Altamura D, Scognamiglio PL, Sibillano T, Giannini C, Morelli G, Vitagliano L, Accardo A, Diaferia C. Self-Assembled Materials Based on Fully Aromatic Peptides: The Impact of Tryptophan, Tyrosine, and Dopa Residues. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:1470-1486. [PMID: 38174846 PMCID: PMC10795196 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Peptides are able to self-organize in structural elements including cross-β structures. Taking advantage of this tendency, in the last decades, peptides have been scrutinized as molecular elements for the development of multivalent supramolecular architectures. In this context, different classes of peptides, also with completely aromatic sequences, were proposed. Our previous studies highlighted that the (FY)3 peptide, which alternates hydrophobic phenylalanine and more hydrophilic tyrosine residues, is able to self-assemble, thanks to the formation of both polar and apolar interfaces. It was observed that the replacement of Phe and Tyr residues with other noncoded aromatic amino acids like 2-naphthylalanine (Nal) and Dopa affects the interactions among peptides with consequences on the supramolecular organization. Herein, we have investigated the self-assembling behavior of two novel (FY)3 analogues with Trp and Dopa residues in place of the Phe and Tyr ones, respectively. Additionally, PEGylation of the N-terminus was analyzed too. The supramolecular organization, morphology, and capability to gel were evaluated using complementary techniques, including fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Structural periodicities along and perpendicular to the fiber axis were detected by grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering. Finally, molecular dynamics studies provided interesting insights into the atomic structure of the cross-β that constitutes the basic motif of the assemblies formed by these novel peptide systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Balasco
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Davide Altamura
- Institute
of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, Bari 70126, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute
of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, Bari 70126, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute
of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, Bari 70126, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department
of Pharmacy and CIRPeB, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides “Carlo
Pedone”, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Via Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute
of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Castellino 111, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department
of Pharmacy and CIRPeB, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides “Carlo
Pedone”, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Via Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department
of Pharmacy and CIRPeB, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides “Carlo
Pedone”, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Via Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
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2
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Thi Kim Dung D, Umezawa M, Ohnuki K, Nigoghossian K, Okubo K, Kamimura M, Yamaguchi M, Fujii H, Soga K. The influence of Gd-DOTA ratios conjugating PLGA-PEG micelles encapsulated IR-1061 in bimodal over–1000 nm near–infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:1217-1230. [DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01574e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Multimodal imaging can provide multidimensional information for understanding concealed microstructures or bioprocesses in biological objects. The combination of over–1000 nm near–infrared (OTN–NIR) fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is...
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3
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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Leone M. NMR Spectroscopy in the Conformational Analysis of Peptides: An Overview. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:2729-2782. [PMID: 32614739 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200702131032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NMR spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools to study the structure and interaction properties of peptides and proteins from a dynamic perspective. Knowing the bioactive conformations of peptides is crucial in the drug discovery field to design more efficient analogue ligands and inhibitors of protein-protein interactions targeting therapeutically relevant systems. OBJECTIVE This review provides a toolkit to investigate peptide conformational properties by NMR. METHODS Articles cited herein, related to NMR studies of peptides and proteins were mainly searched through PubMed and the web. More recent and old books on NMR spectroscopy written by eminent scientists in the field were consulted as well. RESULTS The review is mainly focused on NMR tools to gain the 3D structure of small unlabeled peptides. It is more application-oriented as it is beyond its goal to deliver a profound theoretical background. However, the basic principles of 2D homonuclear and heteronuclear experiments are briefly described. Protocols to obtain isotopically labeled peptides and principal triple resonance experiments needed to study them, are discussed as well. CONCLUSION NMR is a leading technique in the study of conformational preferences of small flexible peptides whose structure can be often only described by an ensemble of conformations. Although NMR studies of peptides can be easily and fast performed by canonical protocols established a few decades ago, more recently we have assisted to tremendous improvements of NMR spectroscopy to investigate instead large systems and overcome its molecular weight limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Vincenzi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council of Italy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Anna Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council of Italy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council of Italy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
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4
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Barbee MH, Wright ZM, Allen BP, Taylor HF, Patteson EF, Knight AS. Protein-Mimetic Self-Assembly with Synthetic Macromolecules. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith H. Barbee
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zoe M. Wright
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Benjamin P. Allen
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Hailey F. Taylor
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Emily F. Patteson
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Abigail S. Knight
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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5
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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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6
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Fabrication of fluorescent nanospheres by heating PEGylated tetratyrosine nanofibers. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2470. [PMID: 33510221 PMCID: PMC7844296 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79396-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aromatic polypeptides have recently drawn the interest of the research community for their capability to self-assemble into a variety of functional nanostructures. Due to their interesting mechanical, electrical and optical properties, these nanostructures have been proposed as innovative materials in different biomedical, biotechnological and industrial fields. Recently, several efforts have been employed in the development of these innovative materials as nanoscale fluorescence (FL) imaging probes. In this context, we describe the synthesis and the functional properties of a novel fluorescent tyrosine (Tyr, Y)-based nanospheres, obtained by heating at 200 °C a solution of the PEGylated tetra-peptide PEG6-Y4. At room temperature, this peptide self-assembles into not fluorescent low ordered water-soluble fibrillary aggregates. After heating, the aggregation of different polyphenolic species generates Y4-based nanospheres able to emit FL into blue, green and red spectral regions, both in solution and at the solid state. The aggregation features of PEG6-Y4 before and after heating were studied using a set of complementary techniques (Fluorescence, CD, FT-IR, Small and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering and SEM). After a deep investigation of their optoelectronic properties, these nanospheres could be exploited as promising tools for precise biomedicine in advanced nanomedical technologies (local bioimaging, light diagnostics, therapy, optogenetics and health monitoring).
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7
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Wang F, Li Y, Yu L, Zhu J, Zhang F, Linhardt RJ. Amphiphilic mPEG-Modified Oligo-Phenylalanine Nanoparticles Chemoenzymatically Synthesized via Papain. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:30336-30347. [PMID: 33251469 PMCID: PMC7689955 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c05076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Amphiphilic mPEG-modified peptide nanoparticles were developed from oligo-phenylalanine (OPhe) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized via papain. Tyndall effects indicate that OPhe NPs are amphiphobic. Addition of protein perturbants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and urea, in the dispersion solution of OPhe NPs can significantly reduce the R h,m value of NPs, from approximately 749.2 nm to about 200 nm. Therefore, the hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding play major roles in maintaining the aggregation of OPhe NPs. Using the "grafting to" method, the methoxypolyethylene-modified OPhe NPs (mPEG-g-OPhe NPs) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectrum of OPhe NPs and mPEG-g-OPhe NPs demonstrate that the secondary structures of these NPs are mainly β-type. mPEG-g-OPhe NPs can self-aggregate into spherical micelles both in water and cyclohexane. Increasing the chain length of the mPEG moiety, the critical micellar concentrations of mPEG-g-OPhe NPs increased in water but decreased in cyclohexane. The light stability, thermal stability, hydrolysis stability, and encapsulation stability of curcumin were significantly promoted by encapsulation in the micelles formed by mPEG-g-OPhe NPs. The protective effects regularly varied with the variations in the mPEG chain length of mPEG-g-OPhe NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- School
of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan
University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Youhua Li
- School
of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan
University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Lu Yu
- School
of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan
University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jinwen Zhu
- School
of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan
University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Departments of Chemical and Biological
Engineering, Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology
and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Robert J. Linhardt
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Departments of Chemical and Biological
Engineering, Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology
and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
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8
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Horvat S, Yu Y, Böjte S, Teßmer I, Lowman DW, Ma Z, Williams DL, Beilhack A, Albrecht K, Groll J. Engineering Nanogels for Drug Delivery to Pathogenic Fungi Aspergillus fumigatus by Tuning Polymer Amphiphilicity. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:3112-3121. [PMID: 32603103 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis is a serious threat to immunodeficient and critically ill patients caused mainly by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Here, poly(glycidol)-based nanogels (NGs) are proposed as delivery vehicles for antifungal agents for sustained drug release. NGs are formed by simple self-assembly of random copolymers, followed by oxidative cross-linking of thiol functionalities. We investigate the impact of copolymer amphiphilicity on NG interaction with mature fungal hyphae in order to select the optimal drug delivery system for model antifungal drug amphotericin B. The results show that drug-loaded NGs decrease minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for around four times and slow down the fungal biofilm synthesis at concentrations lower than MIC. Our results suggest that amphiphilicity of nanoparticle's polymer matrix is an important factor in understanding the action of nanocarriers toward fungal cells and should be considered in the development of nanoparticle-based antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Horvat
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yidong Yu
- Department of Medicine II, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Würzburg University Hospital, Zinklesweg 10, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Szalbolcs Böjte
- Ingrid Tessmer's Lab, Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ingrid Teßmer
- Ingrid Tessmer's Lab, Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Douglas W Lowman
- Department of Surgery, Quillen College of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614-0575, United States
| | - Zuchao Ma
- Department of Surgery, Quillen College of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614-0575, United States
| | - David L Williams
- Department of Surgery, Quillen College of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614-0575, United States
| | - Andreas Beilhack
- Department of Medicine II, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Würzburg University Hospital, Zinklesweg 10, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Krystyna Albrecht
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Groll
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
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9
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Kumar S, Hause G, Binder WH. Bifunctional Peptide-Polymer Conjugate-Based Fibers via a One-Pot Tandem Disulfide Reduction Coupled to a Thio-Bromo "Click" Reaction. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:19020-19028. [PMID: 32775904 PMCID: PMC7408259 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In view of the potential applications of fibers in material sciences and biomedicine, an effective synthetic strategy is described to construct peptide-based bifunctional polymeric conjugates for supramolecular self-association in solution. A direct coupling method of an α-acyl-brominated peptide Phe-Phe-Phe-Phe (FFFF) with a disulfide-bridged polymeric scaffold of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (M n,GPC = 8700 g mol-1, Đ = 2.02) is reported to readily prepare the bi-headed conjugate FFFF-PEG-FFFF (M n,GPC = 3800 g mol-1, Đ = 1.10) via a one-pot, tandem disulfide reduction (based on tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP)) coupled to a thio-bromo "click" reaction. The conjugate was investigated via transmission electron microscopy to exploit supramolecular fibril formation and solvent-dependent structuring into macroscale fibers via fibril-fibril interactions and interfibril cross-linking-induced bundling. Circular dichroism spectroscopic analysis is further performed to investigate β-sheet motifs in such fibrous scaffolds. Overall, this synthetic approach opens an attractive approach for a simplified synthesis of PEG-containing peptide conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonu Kumar
- Macromolecular
Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Science II (Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics),
Institute of Chemistry, Martin Luther University
Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, Halle (Saale) D-06120, Germany
- Department
of Applied Sciences (Chemistry), Punjab
Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Gerd Hause
- Biocenter, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Weinbergweg 22, Halle (Saale) D-06120, Germany
| | - Wolfgang H. Binder
- Macromolecular
Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Science II (Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics),
Institute of Chemistry, Martin Luther University
Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, Halle (Saale) D-06120, Germany
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10
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Gallo E, Rosa E, Diaferia C, Rossi F, Tesauro D, Accardo A. Systematic overview of soft materials as a novel frontier for MRI contrast agents. RSC Adv 2020; 10:27064-27080. [PMID: 35515779 PMCID: PMC9055484 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra03194a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-known diagnostic technique used to obtain high quality images in a non-invasive manner. In order to increase the contrast between normal and pathological regions in the human body, positive (T1) or negative (T2) contrast agents (CAs) are commonly intravenously administered. The most efficient class of T1-CAs are based on kinetically stable and thermodynamically inert gadolinium complexes. In the last two decades many novel macro- and supramolecular CAs have been proposed. These approaches have been optimized to increase the performance of the CAs in terms of the relaxivity values and to reduce the administered dose, decreasing the toxicity and giving better safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. The improved performances may also allow further information to be gained on the pathological and physiological state of the human body. The goal of this review is to report a systematic overview of the nanostructurated CAs obtained and developed by manipulating soft materials at the nanometer scale. Specifically, our attention is centered on recent examples of fibers, hydrogels and nanogel formulations, that seem particularly promising for overcoming the problematic issues that have recently pushed the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to withdraw linear CAs from the market. Gd(iii)-nanostructurated Constrast Agents (CAs) for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be designed and developed by manipulating soft material, including fibers, hydrogels and nanogels, in the nanometer scale.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Gallo
- IRCCS SDN Via E. Gianturco 113 80143 Napoli Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" Via Mezzocannone 16 80134-Naples Italy
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" Via Mezzocannone 16 80134-Naples Italy
| | - Filomena Rossi
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" Via Mezzocannone 16 80134-Naples Italy
| | - Diego Tesauro
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" Via Mezzocannone 16 80134-Naples Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" Via Mezzocannone 16 80134-Naples Italy
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11
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González-Fernández D, Torneiro M, Lazzari M. Some Guidelines for the Synthesis and Melting Characterization of Azide Poly(ethylene glycol) Derivatives. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1269. [PMID: 32498252 PMCID: PMC7362184 DOI: 10.3390/polym12061269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We provide fundamental guidelines in the form of a tutorial to be taken into account for the preparation and characterization of a specific class of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives, namely azide-terminated PEGs. Special attention is given to the effect of these chain end groups and their precursors on properties affecting the PEGylation of proteins, nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces. Notwithstanding the presence of 13C satellite peaks, we show that 1H NMR enables not only the routine quantitative determination of chain-end substitution, but is also a unique method to calculate the absolute number average molecular weight of PEG derivatives. In the use of size exclusion chromatography to get molecular weight distributions, we highlight the importance of distinguishing between eventual secondary reactions involving molecular weight changes and the formation of PEG complexes due to residual amounts of metal cations from reactants. Finally, we show that azide end groups affect PEG melting behavior. In contrast to oxygen-containing end groups, azides do not interact with PEG segments, thus inducing defect formation in the crystal lattice and the reduction of crystal sizes. Melting temperature and degree of crystallinity decrease become especially relevant for PEGs with very low molecular weight, and its comprehension is particularly important for solid-state applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel González-Fernández
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultade de Química, and Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mercedes Torneiro
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Massimo Lazzari
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultade de Química, and Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
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12
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Abstract
Natural fibrillar-like macromolecules find applications in several fields, thanks to their peculiar features, and are considered perfect building blocks for natural and artificial functional materials. Indeed, fibrous proteins (such as collagen or fibroin) are commonly used in scaffold fabrication for biomedical applications, due to the high biophysical similarity with the extracellular matrix (ECM) which stimulates tissue regeneration. In the textile industry, cellulose-based fabrics are widely used in place of cotton and viscose, which both have sustainability issues related to their fabrication. With this in mind, the structural characterization of the materials at molecular scale plays a fundamental role in gaining insight into the fiber assembly process. In this work, we report on three fibers of research interest (i.e., type I collagen, silk fibroin extracted from Bombyx mori, and cellulose) to show the power of wide-angle X-ray scattering to characterize both intra- and intermolecular parameters of fibrous polymers. The latest possibilities offered in the X-ray scattering field allow one to study fibers at solid state or dispersed in solutions as well as to perform quantitative scanning X-ray microscopy of tissues entirely or partially made by fibers.
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13
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Diaferia C, Roviello V, Morelli G, Accardo A. Self‐Assembly of PEGylated Diphenylalanines into Photoluminescent Fibrillary Aggregates. Chemphyschem 2019; 20:2774-2782. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB)University of Naples “Federico II” Via Mezzocannone 16 80134- Naples Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, DICMaPIUniversity of Naples “Federico II” Piazzale Tecchio 80 80125 Naples Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB)University of Naples “Federico II” Via Mezzocannone 16 80134- Naples Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB)University of Naples “Federico II” Via Mezzocannone 16 80134- Naples Italy
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14
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Perinelli DR, Campana M, Singh I, Vllasaliu D, Doutch J, Palmieri GF, Casettari L. PEGylation affects the self-assembling behaviour of amphiphilic octapeptides. Int J Pharm 2019; 571:118752. [PMID: 31606529 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Surfactant-like peptides are a class of amphiphilic macromolecules, which are able to self-assemble in water forming different supramolecular structures. Among them, octapeptides composed of six hydrophobic and two hydrophilic residues have attracted interest since they have a length similar to those of natural phospholipids. Supramolecular structures of different amphiphilic octapeptides have been widely reported, but no study has been performed aimed at investigating the effect of PEGylation on their self-assembling behaviour. The aim of the present work was to synthesize and characterise the self-assembling behaviour of PEGylated alanine- or valine based amphiphilic octapeptides (mPEG1.9kDa-DDAAAAAA and mPEG1.9kDa-DDVVVVVV) in comparison to the non-PEGylated ones (DDAAAAAA and DDVVVVVV). The self-aggregation process in ultrapure water was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), while the secondary structure was assessed by circular dichroism. PEGylation markedly affects the self-assembling behaviour of these amphiphilic octapeptides in terms of both critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and shape of the formed supramolecular aggregates. Indeed, PEGylation increases CAC and prevents the self-aggregation into fibrillary supramolecular aggregates (as observed for non-PEGylated peptides), by promoting the formation of micelle-like structures (as demonstrated for valine-based octapeptide). On the other side, the secondary structure of peptides seems not to be affected by PEGylation. Overall, these results suggest that self-assembling behaviour of amphiphilic octapeptides can be modified by PEGylation, with a great potential impact for the future applications of these nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Romano Perinelli
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Mario Campana
- ISIS Neutron Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Ishwar Singh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Driton Vllasaliu
- King's College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - James Doutch
- ISIS Neutron Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | | | - Luca Casettari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza del Rinascimento, 6, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy.
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15
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Mushtaq I, Akhter Z, Shah FU. Tunable Self-Assembled Nanostructures of Electroactive PEGylated Tetra(Aniline) Based ABA Triblock Structures in Aqueous Medium. Front Chem 2019; 7:518. [PMID: 31403042 PMCID: PMC6669400 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PEGylated tetra(aniline) ABA triblock structure PEG-TANI-PEG (2) consisting of tetra(aniline) (TANI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was synthesized by coupling the tosylated-PEG to boc-protected NH2/NH2 TANI (1) through a simple nucleophilic substitution reaction. Deprotection of 2 resulted in a leucoemeraldine base state of TANI (2-LEB), which was oxidized to stable emeraldine base (2-EB) state. 2-EB was doped with 1 M HCl to emeraldine salt (2-ES) state. FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, and MS (ESI) was used for structural characterization. The synthesized triblock structure exhibited good electroactivity as confirmed by CV and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Self-assembling of the triblock structure in aqueous medium was assessed by DLS, TEM, and SEM. Spherical aggregates were observed with variable sizes depicting the effect of concentration and oxidation of 2-LEB. Further, the aggregates showed acid/base sensitivity as evaluated by doping and dedoping of 2-EB with 1 M HCl and 1 M NH4OH, respectively. Future applications in drug delivery and sensors are envisaged for such tunable self-assembled nanostructures in aqueous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irrum Mushtaq
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zareen Akhter
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Faiz Ullah Shah
- Chemistry of Interfaces, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
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16
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Diaferia C, Gianolio E, Accardo A. Peptide-based building blocks as structural elements for supramolecular Gd-containing MRI contrast agents. J Pept Sci 2019; 25:e3157. [PMID: 30767370 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important clinic diagnostic tool used to obtain high-quality body images. The administration of low-molecular-weight Gd complex-based MRI contrast agents (CAs) permits to increase the 1 H relaxation rate of nearby water molecules, thus modulating signal intensity and contrast enhancement. Even if highly accurate, MRI modality suffers from its low sensitivity. Moreover, low-molecular-weight CAs rapidly equilibrate between the intravascular and extravascular spaces after their administration. In order to improve their sensitivity and limit the extravasation phenomenon, several macromolecular and supramolecular multimeric gadolinium complexes (dendrimers, polymers, carbon nanostructures, micelles, and liposomes) have been designed until now. Because of their biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, low cost, and easy synthetic modification, peptides are attractive building blocks for the fabbrication of novel materials for biomedical applications. We report on the state of the art of supramolecular CAs obtained by self-assembly of three different classes of building blocks containing a peptide sequence, a gadolinium complex, and, if necessary, a third functional portion achieving the organization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Eliana Gianolio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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17
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Zhang J, Mu YL, Ma ZY, Han K, Han HY. Tumor-triggered transformation of chimeric peptide for dual-stage-amplified magnetic resonance imaging and precise photodynamic therapy. Biomaterials 2018; 182:269-278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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18
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Diaferia C, Balasco N, Altamura D, Sibillano T, Gallo E, Roviello V, Giannini C, Morelli G, Vitagliano L, Accardo A. Assembly modes of hexaphenylalanine variants as function of the charge states of their terminal ends. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:8219-8230. [PMID: 30265271 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01441h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The ability of peptides to self-assemble represents a valuable tool for the development of biomaterials of biotechnological and/or biomedical interest. Diphenylalanine homodimer (FF) and its analogues are among the most promising systems in this field. The longest Phe-based building block hitherto characterized is pentaphenylalanine (F5). We studied the aggregation propensity and the structural/morphological features of assemblies of zwitterionic hexaphenylalanine H+-F6-O- and of three variants characterized by different charged states of the terminal ends (Ac-F6-Amide, H+-F6-Amide and Ac-F6-O-). As previously observed for PEGylated hexaphenylalanine (PEG8-F6), all F6 variants show a strong tendency to form β-rich assemblies in which the structural motif is constituted by antiparallel β-strands in the cross-β framework. Extensive replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations carried out on a pairs of F6 peptides indicate that the antiparallel β-structure of the final assemblies is likely dictated by the preferred association modes of the individual chains in the very early stages of the aggregation process. Our data suggest that even very small F6 peptides are properly pre-organized and prone to the build-up of the final assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Altamura
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Enrico Gallo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Analytical Chemistry for the Environment and CeSMA (Advanced Metrologic Service Center), University of Naples "Federico II", Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
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19
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Diaferia C, Balasco N, Sibillano T, Ghosh M, Adler-Abramovich L, Giannini C, Vitagliano L, Morelli G, Accardo A. Amyloid-Like Fibrillary Morphology Originated by Tyrosine-Containing Aromatic Hexapeptides. Chemistry 2018; 24:6804-6817. [PMID: 29504716 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201800351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Phenylalanine-based nanostructures have attracted the attention of the material science community for their functional properties. These properties strongly depend on the hierarchic organization of the nanostructure that in turn can be finely tuned by punctual chemical modifications of the building blocks. Herein, we investigate how the partial or the complete replacement of the Phe residues in PEG8 -(Phe)6 (PEG8 -F6) with tyrosines to generate PEG8 -(Phe-Tyr)3 (PEG8 -(FY)3) or PEG8 -(Tyr)6 (PEG8 -Y6) affects the structural/functional properties of the nanomaterial formed by the parental compound. Moreover, the effect of the PEG derivatization was evaluated through the characterization of the peptides without the PEG moiety (Tyr)6 (Y6) and (Phe-Tyr)3 ((FY)3). Both PEG8 -Y6 and PEG8 -(FY)3 can self-assemble in water at micromolar concentrations in β-sheet-rich nanostructures. However, WAXS diffraction patterns of these compounds present significant differences. PEG8 -(FY)3 shows a 2D WAXS oriented fiber diffraction profile characterized by the concomitant presence of a 4.7 Å meridional and a 12.5 Å equatorial reflection that are generally associated with cross-β structure. On the other hand, the pattern of PEG8 -Y6 is characterized by the presence of circles typically observed in the presence of PEG crystallization. Molecular modeling and dynamics provide an atomic structural model of the peptide spine of these compounds that is in good agreement with WAXS experimental data. Gelation phenomenon was only detected for PEG8 -(FY)3 above a concentration of 1.0 wt % as confirmed by storage (G'≈100 Pa) and loss (G''≈28 Pa) moduli in rheological studies. The cell viability on CHO cells of this soft hydrogel was certified to be 90 % after 24 hours of incubation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Moumita Ghosh
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Lihi Adler-Abramovich
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
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20
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Diaferia C, Balasco N, Sibillano T, Giannini C, Vitagliano L, Morelli G, Accardo A. Structural Characterization of Self-Assembled Tetra-Tryptophan Based Nanostructures: Variations on a Common Theme. Chemphyschem 2018. [PMID: 29542851 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201800026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Over the years, a large number of multidisciplinary investigations has unveiled that the self-assembly of short peptides and even of individual amino acids can generate a variety of different biomaterials. In this framework, we have recently reported that polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugates of short homopeptides, containing aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine (Phe, F) and naphthylalanine (Nal), are able to form elongated fibrillary aggregates having interesting chemical and physical properties. We here extend these analyses characterizing the self-assembling propensity of PEG6 -W4, a PEG adduct of the tetra-tryptophan (W4) sequence. A comprehensive structural characterization of PEG6 -W4 was obtained, both in solution and at the solid state, through the combination of spectroscopic, microscopic, X-ray scattering and computational techniques. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that this peptide is able to self-assemble in fibrillary networks characterized by a cross β-structure spine. The present findings clearly demonstrate that aromatic residues display a general propensity to induce self-aggregation phenomenon, despite the significant differences in the physicochemical properties of their side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134-, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples (Italy
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples (Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134-, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134-, Naples, Italy
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21
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Diaferia C, Sibillano T, Altamura D, Roviello V, Vitagliano L, Giannini C, Morelli G, Accardo A. Structural Characterization of PEGylated Hexaphenylalanine Nanostructures Exhibiting Green Photoluminescence Emission. Chemistry 2017; 23:14039-14048. [PMID: 28782843 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201703055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Peptides containing aromatic residues are known to exhibit spontaneous phenomena of supramolecular organization into ordered nanostructures (NSs). In this work we studied the structural behavior and optoelectronic properties of new biocompatible materials obtained by the self-assembly of a series of hexaphenylalanines (F6) modified at the N terminus by a PEG chain of different lengths. PEG12 -F6, PEG18 -F6, and PEG24 -F6 peptides were synthesized by coupling sequentially two, three, or four units of amino-carboxy-PEG6 blocks, each one containing six oxyethylene repetitions. Changes in the length and composition of the PEG chain were found to modulate the structural organization of the phenylalanine-based nanostructures. An increase in the self-aggregation tendency was observed with longer PEG chains, whereas, independently of the PEG length, the peptide NSs display cross-β-like secondary structures with an antiparallel β-strand arrangement. WAXS/GIWAXS diffraction patterns indicate a progressive decrease in fiber order along the series. All the PEG-F6 derivatives present blue photoluminescent (PL) emission at 460 nm, with the adduct with the longest PEG chain (PEG24 -F6) showing an additional green emission at 530 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Davide Altamura
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Analytical Chemistry for the Environment and Centro Servizi Metrologici Avanzati, University of Naples "Federico II", Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
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22
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Diaferia C, Sibillano T, Giannini C, Roviello V, Vitagliano L, Morelli G, Accardo A. Photoluminescent Peptide-Based Nanostructures as FRET Donor for Fluorophore Dye. Chemistry 2017; 23:8741-8748. [PMID: 28508550 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201701381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A great interest has been recently generated by the discovery that peptide-based nanostructures (NSs) endowed with cross-β structure may show interesting photoluminescent (PL) properties. It was shown that NSs formed by PEGylated hexaphenylalanine (PEG8 -F6, PEG=polyethylene glycol) are able to emit at 460 nm when excited at 370 or 410 nm. Here, the possibility to transfer the fluorescence of these PEG8 -F6-based NSs by foster resonance electron transfer (FRET) phenomenon to a fluorescent dye was explored. To achieve this aim, the 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) dye was encapsulated in these NSs. Structural data in solution and in solid state, obtained by a variety of techniques (circular dichroism, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering), indicated that the organization of the peptide spine of PEG8 -F6 NS, which consists of anti-parallel β-sheets separated by a dry interface made of interacting phenylalanine side chains, was maintained upon NBD encapsulation. The spectroscopic characterization of these NSs clearly showed a red-shift of the emission fluorescence peak both in solution and in solid state. This shift from 460 to 530 nm indicated that a FRET phenomenon from the peptide-based to the fluorophore-encapsulated NS occurred. FRET could also be detected in the PEG8 -F6 conjugate, in which the NBD was covalently bound to the amine of the compound. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that the red-shift of the intrinsic PL of NSs may be exploited in the bio-imaging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Analytical Chemistry for the Environment and CeSMA (Centro Servizi Metereologici Avanzati), University of Naples "Federico II", Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
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23
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Modulation of Peptide Based Nano-Assemblies with Electric and Magnetic Fields. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2726. [PMID: 28578415 PMCID: PMC5457452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02609-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide based nano-assemblies with their self-organizing ability has shown lot of promise due to their high degree of thermal and chemical stability, for biomaterial fabrication. Developing an effective way to control the organization of these structures is important for fabricating application-oriented materials at the molecular level. The present study reports the impact of electric and magnetic field-mediated perturbation of the self-assembly phenomenon, upon the chemical and structural properties of diphenylalanine assembly. Our studies show that, electric field effectively arrests aggregation and self-assembly formation, while the molecule is allowed to anneal in the presence of applied electric fields of varying magnitudes, both AC and DC. The electric field exposure also modulated the morphology of the self-assembled structures without affecting the overall chemical constitution of the material. Our results on the modulatory effect of the electric field are in good agreement with theoretical studies based on molecular dynamics reported earlier on amyloid forming molecular systems. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the self-assemblies formed post electric-field exposure, showed difference in their crystal habit. Modulation of nano-level architecture of peptide based model systems with external stimulus, points to a potentially rewarding strategy to re-work proven nano-materials to expand their application spectrum.
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24
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Diaferia C, Gianolio E, Sibillano T, Mercurio FA, Leone M, Giannini C, Balasco N, Vitagliano L, Morelli G, Accardo A. Cross-beta nanostructures based on dinaphthylalanine Gd-conjugates loaded with doxorubicin. Sci Rep 2017; 7:307. [PMID: 28331187 PMCID: PMC5428233 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00332-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Very recently we proposed novel di- and tetra-phenylalanine peptides derivatized with gadolinium complexes as potentials supramolecular diagnostic agents for applications in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). It was observed that in very short FF dipeptide building blocks, the propensity to aggregate decreases significantly after modification with bulky moiety such as Gd-complexes, thus limiting their potential as CAs. We hypothesized that the replacement of the Phe side chain with more extended aromatic groups could improve the self-assembling. Here we describe the synthesis, structural and relaxometric behavior of a novel water soluble self-assembled peptide CA based on 2-naphthylalanine (2Nal). The peptide conjugate Gd-DOTA-L6-(2Nal)2 is able to self-assemble in long fibrillary nanostructures in water solution (up to 1.0 mg/mL). CD and FTIR spectroscopies indicate a β sheet secondary structure with an antiparallel orientation of single strands. All data are in good agreement with WAXS and SAXS characterizations that show the typical "cross-β pattern" for fibrils at the solid state. Molecular modeling indicates the three-dimensional structure of the peptide spine of aggregates is essentially constituted by extended β-sheet motifs stabilized by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The high relaxivity of nanoaggregates (12.3 mM-1 s-1 at 20 MHz) and their capability to encapsulate doxorubicin suggest their potential application as supramolecular theranostic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Eliana Gianolio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Science, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Flavia Anna Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
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25
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Mayans E, Fabregat G, Juárez R, Cativiela C, Puiggalí J, Alemán C. Surface Mediated Hierarchical Assemblies of Highly Hydrophobic Phenylalanine-Based Peptides. ChemistrySelect 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201601436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Enric Mayans
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química; ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Diagonal 647 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Center for Research in Nano-Engineering; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Campus Sud, Edifici C', C/Pasqual i Vila s/n; Barcelona E-08028 Spain
| | - Georgina Fabregat
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química; ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Diagonal 647 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Center for Research in Nano-Engineering; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Campus Sud, Edifici C', C/Pasqual i Vila s/n; Barcelona E-08028 Spain
| | - Ruben Juárez
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química; ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Diagonal 647 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Carlos Cativiela
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Instituto de Síntesis Quimica y Catalisis Homogenea (ISQCH); University of Zaragoza-CSIC; 50009 Zaragoza Spain
| | - Jordi Puiggalí
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química; ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Diagonal 647 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Center for Research in Nano-Engineering; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Campus Sud, Edifici C', C/Pasqual i Vila s/n; Barcelona E-08028 Spain
| | - Carlos Alemán
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química; ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Diagonal 647 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Center for Research in Nano-Engineering; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Campus Sud, Edifici C', C/Pasqual i Vila s/n; Barcelona E-08028 Spain
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Diaferia C, Gianolio E, Accardo A, Morelli G. Gadolinium containing telechelic PEG-polymers end-capped by di-phenylalanine motives as potential supramolecular MRI contrast agents. J Pept Sci 2016; 23:122-130. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.2942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB); University of Naples “Federico II”; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
| | - Eliana Gianolio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Science; University of Turin; Via Nizza 52 10125 Turin Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB); University of Naples “Federico II”; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB); University of Naples “Federico II”; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
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27
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Diaferia C, Sibillano T, Balasco N, Giannini C, Roviello V, Vitagliano L, Morelli G, Accardo A. Hierarchical Analysis of Self-Assembled PEGylated Hexaphenylalanine Photoluminescent Nanostructures. Chemistry 2016; 22:16586-16597. [PMID: 27706842 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201604107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the growing literature about diphenylalanine-based peptide materials, it still remains a challenge to delineate the theoretical insight into peptide nanostructure formation and the structural features that could permit materials with enhanced properties to be engineered. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel peptide building block composed of six phenylalanine residues and eight PEG units, PEG8 -F6. This aromatic peptide self-assembles in water in stable and well-ordered nanostructures with optoelectronic properties. A variety of techniques, such as fluorescence, FTIR, CD, DLS, SEM, SAXS, and WAXS allowed us to correlate the photoluminescence properties of the self-assembled nanostructures with the structural organization of the peptide building block at the micro- and nanoscale. Finally, a model of hexaphenylalanine in aqueous solution by molecular dynamics simulations is presented to suggest structural and energetic factors controlling the formation of nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), CNR, Via Amendola 122, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Regional Center of Competence Technologies Scarl, Via Nuova Agnano, 11, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II" and DFM Scarl, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
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