1
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Zhang Q, Tan W, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wei WS, Fraden S, Xu B. Unnatural Peptide Assemblies Rapidly Deplete Cholesterol and Potently Inhibit Cancer Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12901-12906. [PMID: 38701349 PMCID: PMC11223060 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Cholesterol-rich membranes play a pivotal role in cancer initiation and progression, necessitating innovative approaches to target these membranes for cancer inhibition. Here we report the first case of unnatural peptide (1) assemblies capable of depleting cholesterol and inhibiting cancer cells. Peptide 1 self-assembles into micelles and is rapidly taken up by cancer cells, especially when combined with an acute cholesterol-depleting agent (MβCD). Click chemistry has confirmed that 1 depletes cell membrane cholesterol. It localizes in membrane-rich organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. Furthermore, 1 potently inhibits malignant cancer cells, working synergistically with cholesterol-lowering agents. Control experiments have confirmed that C-terminal capping and unnatural amino acid residues (i.e., BiP) are essential for both cholesterol depletion and potent cancer cell inhibition. This work highlights unnatural peptide assemblies as a promising platform for targeting the cell membrane in controlling cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Weiyi Tan
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Zhiyu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Wei-Shao Wei
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Seth Fraden
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
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2
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Yang R, Li Y, Hua C, Sun Y, Li H, Wei B, Dong H, Liu K. Heat-Set Supramolecular Hydrogelation by Regulating the Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance for a Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescent Switch. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307948. [PMID: 38016077 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Heat-set supramolecular gels exhibited totally opposite phase behaviors of dissolution upon cooling and gelation on heating. They are commonly discovered by chance and their rational design remains a great challenge. Herein, a rational design strategy is proposed to realize heat-set supramolecular hydrogelation through regulation of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the system. A newly synthesized amphiphile hydrogelator with pyrene embedded in its lipophilic terminal can self-assemble into a hydrogel through a heating and cooling cycle. However, the host-guest complex of the gelator and hydrophilic γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CyD) results in a sol at room temperature. Thus, heat-set hydrogelation is realized from the sol state in a controllable manner. Heat-set gelation mechanism is revealed by exploring critical heat-set supramolecular gelation and the related findings provide a general strategy for developing new functional molecular gels with tunable hydrophilic-lipophilic balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Yuangang Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Chunxia Hua
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Yihuan Sun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Huajing Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Bizhuo Wei
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Huanhuan Dong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Kaiqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
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3
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Sumitani R, Yamanaka M, Mochida T. On-demand gelation of ionic liquids using photoresponsive organometallic gelators. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3479-3486. [PMID: 35437552 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00307d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The reversible formation of ionic liquid gels, or ionogels, upon external stimuli could improve their versatility and expand their application scope in electronic, biomedical, and micro-engineering systems. Herein, we developed organometallic compounds that release low-molecular-weight gelators upon photoirradiation, which facilitate the on-demand photogelation of ionic liquids (ILs). The chemical formulae of the gelator-coordinated complexes are [Ru(C5H5)L]X (L = C6H5NHCONHC12H25; X = PF6, B(CN)4). Each of the complexes were ILs that are easy to synthesize and miscible in ILs. By adding a small amount of the complex, various ILs were transformed to gels upon UV photoirradiation. The PF6 salt allowed the photogelation of ILs with coordinating substituents, whereas the B(CN)4 salt allowed the photogelation of non-coordinating ILs, albeit the reaction was slower. These gels underwent the reverse reaction and liquefied back when heated, and the photogelation was repeatable for ILs with coordinating cations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Sumitani
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan.
| | - Masamichi Yamanaka
- Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1 Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Mochida
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan.
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
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4
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Galkin KI, Ananikov VP. Intermolecular Diels-Alder Cycloadditions of Furfural-Based Chemicals from Renewable Resources: A Focus on the Regio- and Diastereoselectivity in the Reaction with Alkenes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11856. [PMID: 34769287 PMCID: PMC8584476 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent strong trend toward green and sustainable chemistry has promoted the intensive use of renewable carbon sources for the production of polymers, biofuels, chemicals, monomers and other valuable products. The Diels-Alder reaction is of great importance in the chemistry of renewable resources and provides an atom-economic pathway for fine chemical synthesis and for the production of materials. The biobased furans furfural and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural, which can be easily obtained from the carbohydrate part of plant biomass, were recognized as "platform chemicals" that will help to replace the existing oil-based refining to biorefining. Diels-Alder cycloaddition of furanic dienes with various dienophiles represents the ideal example of a "green" process characterized by a 100% atom economy and a reasonable E-factor. In this review, we first summarize the literature data on the regio- and diastereoselectivity of intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions of furfural derivatives with alkenes with the aim of establishing the current progress in the efficient production of practically important low-molecular-weight products. The information provided here will be useful and relevant to scientists in many fields, including medical and pharmaceutical research, polymer development and materials science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin I. Galkin
- Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Functional Composite Materials, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, 2nd Baumanskaya Street 5/1, 105005 Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentine P. Ananikov
- Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
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5
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Lee H, Kim H, Lee SY. Self-Assembling Peptidic Bolaamphiphiles for Biomimetic Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:3545-3572. [PMID: 34309378 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Bolaamphiphile, which is a class of amphiphilic molecules, has a unique structure of two hydrophilic head groups at the ends of the hydrophobic center. Peptidic bolaamphiphiles that employ peptides or amino acids as their hydrophilic groups exhibit unique biochemical activities when they self-organize into supramolecular structures, which are not observed in a single molecule. The self-assembled peptidic bolaamphiphiles hold considerable promise for imitating proteins with biochemical activities, such as specific affinity toward heterogeneous substances, a catalytic activity similar to a metalloenzyme, physicochemical activity from harmonized amino acid segments, and the capability to encapsulate genes like a viral vector. These diverse activities give rise to large research interest in biomaterials engineering, along with the synthesis and characterization of the assembled structures. This review aims to address the recent progress in the applications of peptidic bolaamphiphile assemblies whose densely packed peptide motifs on their surface and their stacked hydrophobic centers exhibit unique protein-like activity and designer functionality, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyesung Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanbee Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Yup Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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6
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Panja S, Adams DJ. Stimuli responsive dynamic transformations in supramolecular gels. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:5165-5200. [PMID: 33646219 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01166e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular gels are formed by the self-assembly of small molecules under the influence of various non-covalent interactions. As the interactions are individually weak and reversible, it is possible to perturb the gels easily, which in turn enables fine tuning of their properties. Synthetic supramolecular gels are kinetically trapped and usually do not show time variable changes in material properties after formation. However, such materials potentially become switchable when exposed to external stimuli like temperature, pH, light, enzyme, redox, and chemical analytes resulting in reconfiguration of gel matrix into a different type of network. Such transformations allow gel-to-gel transitions while the changes in the molecular aggregation result in alteration of physical and chemical properties of the gel with time. Here, we discuss various methods that have been used to achieve gel-to-gel transitions by modifying a pre-formed gel material through external perturbation. We also describe methods that allow time-dependent autonomous switching of gels into different networks enabling synthesis of next generation functional materials. Dynamic modification of gels allows construction of an array of supramolecular gels with various properties from a single material which eventually extend the limit of applications of the gels. In some cases, gel-to-gel transitions lead to materials that cannot be accessed directly. Finally, we point out the necessity and possibility of further exploration of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santanu Panja
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Dave J Adams
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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7
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Tsutsumi N, Ito A, Ishigamori A, Ikeda M, Izumi M, Ochi R. Synthesis and Self-Assembly Properties of Bola-Amphiphilic Glycosylated Lipopeptide-Type Supramolecular Hydrogels Showing Colour Changes Along with Gel-Sol Transition. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1860. [PMID: 33668410 PMCID: PMC7917936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels formed by self-assembly of low-molecular-weight amphiphiles (hydrogelators) have attracted significant attention, as smart and soft materials. However, most of the observed stimuli-responsive behaviour of these supramolecular hydrogels are limited to gel-sol transitions. In this study, we present bola-amphiphilic glycosylated lipopeptide-type supramolecular hydrogelators that exhibit reversible thermochromism along with a gel-sol transition. The bola-amphiphiles have mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-phenylalanine (F) as a short peptide moiety. We investigate and discuss the effects of the number of F residues on the gelation ability and the morphology of the self-assembled nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Tsutsumi
- Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan; (N.T.); (M.I.)
| | - Akitaka Ito
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi 782-8502, Japan;
- Research Center for Molecular Design, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi 782-8502, Japan
| | - Azumi Ishigamori
- Faculty of Science, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan;
| | - Masato Ikeda
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan;
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Masayuki Izumi
- Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan; (N.T.); (M.I.)
- Faculty of Science, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan;
- Interdisciplinary Science Unit, Multidisciplinary Sciences Cluster, Research and Education Faculty, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
| | - Rika Ochi
- Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan; (N.T.); (M.I.)
- Faculty of Science, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan;
- Interdisciplinary Science Unit, Multidisciplinary Sciences Cluster, Research and Education Faculty, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
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8
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Wojciechowski JP, Martin AD, Du EY, Garvey CJ, Nordon RE, Thordarson P. Non-reversible heat-induced gelation of a biocompatible Fmoc-hexapeptide in water. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:8262-8267. [PMID: 32236222 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr00289e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel materials which respond to changes in temperature are widely applicable for injectable drug delivery or tissue engineering applications. Here, we report the unsual heat-induced gelation behaviour of a low molecular weight gelator based on an Fmoc-hexapeptide, Fmoc-GFFRGD. We show that Fmoc-GFFRGD forms kinetically stable fibres when mixed with divalent cations (e.g. Ca2+). Gelation of the mixture occurs upon heating of the mixture which enables electrostatic screening by the divalent cations and hydrophobic collapse of the fibres to give a self-supporting hydrogel network that shows good biocompatibility with L929 fibroblast cells. This work highlights a unique mechanism to initiate heat-induced gelation which should find opportunities as a gelation trigger for injectable hydrogels or fundamental self-assembly applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Wojciechowski
- School of Chemistry, The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre for Convergent Bio-Nano Science & Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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9
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Sugiura T, Kanada T, Mori D, Sakai H, Shibata A, Kitamura Y, Ikeda M. Chemical stimulus-responsive supramolecular hydrogel formation and shrinkage of a hydrazone-containing short peptide derivative. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:899-906. [PMID: 31829395 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01969c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Artificial supramolecular nanostructures showing transient properties have attracted significant attention in recent years. New discoveries in this area may provide insights into a better understanding of the sophisticated organization of complex biomolecular systems. Nevertheless, research concerning such materials is still limited. Better knowledge of the chemical reactivity and corresponding molecular transformations of self-assembling molecules, which guide their assembly/disassembly, may provide an opportunity to construct transient supramolecular nanostructures capable of showing chemical stimulus responsiveness. Herein, we report a short peptide derivative containing a hydrazone bond, which shows transient hydrogel formation (no only sol-to-gel but also gel-to-shrunken gel phase transition) accompanied by continuous transformation and growth of supramolecular nanostructures triggered by hydrazone-oxime exchange reaction in response to hydroxylamine. Such controlled shrinkage behavior of supramolecular hydrogels in response to specific chemical stimuli has rarely been explored compared with conventional polymer hydrogel systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Sugiura
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Takurou Kanada
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Mori
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Sakai
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Aya Shibata
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Yoshiaki Kitamura
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Masato Ikeda
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan. and United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan and Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences, Gifu University (G-CHAIN), 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan and Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institute of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
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10
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Hoque J, Sangaj N, Varghese S. Stimuli-Responsive Supramolecular Hydrogels and Their Applications in Regenerative Medicine. Macromol Biosci 2019; 19:e1800259. [PMID: 30295012 PMCID: PMC6333493 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201800259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels are a class of self-assembled network structures formed via non-covalent interactions of the hydrogelators. These hydrogels capable of responding to external stimuli are considered to be smart materials due to their ability to undergo sol-gel and/or gel-sol transition upon subtle changes in their surroundings. Such stimuli-responsive hydrogels are intriguing biomaterials with applications in tissue engineering, delivery of cells and drugs, modulating tissue environment to promote innate tissue repair, and imaging for medical diagnostics among others. This review summarizes the recent developments in stimuli-responsive supramolecular hydrogels and their potential applications in regenerative medicine. Specifically, various structural aspects of supramolecular hydrogelators involved in self-assembly, the role of external stimuli in tuning/controlling their phase transitions, and how these functions could be harnessed to advance applications in regenerative medicine are focused on. Finally, the key challenges and future prospects for these versatile materials are briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaul Hoque
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC,
| | - Nivedita Sangaj
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC
| | - Shyni Varghese
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC
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12
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Shigemitsu H, Hamachi I. Design Strategies of Stimuli-Responsive Supramolecular Hydrogels Relying on Structural Analyses and Cell-Mimicking Approaches. Acc Chem Res 2017; 50:740-750. [PMID: 28252940 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive hydrogels are intriguing biomaterials useful for spatiotemporal controlled release of drugs, cells, and biological cues, cell engineering for various applications, and medical diagnosis. To date, many physical and chemical stimuli-responsive polymer hydrogels have been developed by chemical modification of polymer chains and cross-linking points. In particular, conjugation with biomolecules to polymers produced promising biomolecule-responsive hydrogels. These examples clearly indicate high potentials of stimuli-responsive hydrogels as promising biomaterials. In addition to polymer hydrogels, supramolecular hydrogels formed by the assembly of small molecules (hydrogelators) via noncovalent interactions have also been regarded as unique and promising soft materials due to their flexible programmability in rendering them stimuli-responsive with the larger macroscopic change (i.e., gel-sol transition). This Account describes our strategies for the rational design of stimuli-responsive supramolecular hydrogels and their biological applications. Following the detailed structural analysis of a lead hydrogelator that clearly indicates the appropriate sites for incorporation of stimuli-responsive modules, we designed supramolecular hydrogels capable of responding to simple physical (thermal and light) and chemical (pH and metal ions) stimuli. More importantly, biomolecule-responsive hydrogels were successfully developed by supramolecularly mimicking the complex yet well-ordered structures and functions of live cells containing multiple components (a cell-mimicking approach). Development of biomolecule-responsive supramolecular hydrogels has been difficult as the conventional strategy relies on the chemical incorporation of stimuli-responsive modules, owing to the lack of modules that can effectively respond to structurally diverse and complicated biomolecules. Inspired by natural systems where functional compartments (e.g., cell organelles) sophisticatedly interact with each other, we sought to integrate the two distinct microenvironments of supramolecular hydrogels (the aqueous cavity surrounded by fibers and the fluidic hydrophobic fiber domain) with other functional materials (e.g., enzymes, peptides or proteins, fluorescent chemosensors, or inorganic porous or layered nanomaterials) for biomolecule responses. In situ fluorescence microscopy imaging clearly demonstrated that chemical isolation and crosstalk are highly successful between the integrated microenvironments in supramolecular hydrogels, similar to organelles in living cells, which allow for the construction of unique optical response and sensing systems for biomolecules. Furthermore, programmed hybridization of our chemically reactive hydrogels with appropriate enzymes can provide an unprecedented universal platform for biomolecule-degradable supramolecular hydrogels. Such biomolecule-responsive hydrogels are a potentially promising tool for user-friendly early diagnostics and on-demand drug-releasing soft materials. We expect that our rational design strategies for stimuli-responsive supramolecular hydrogels by modification of chemical structures and hybridization with functional materials will inspire scientists in various fields and lead to development of novel soft materials for biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Shigemitsu
- Department of Synthetic
Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Itaru Hamachi
- Department of Synthetic
Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 5 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
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13
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Rasale DB, Konda M, Biswas S, Das AK. Controlling Peptide Self-Assembly through a Native Chemical Ligation/Desulfurization Strategy. Chem Asian J 2016; 11:926-35. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201501458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dnyaneshwar B. Rasale
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Technology Indore; Khandwa Road Indore 452020 India
| | - Maruthi Konda
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Technology Indore; Khandwa Road Indore 452020 India
| | - Sagar Biswas
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Technology Indore; Khandwa Road Indore 452020 India
| | - Apurba K. Das
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Technology Indore; Khandwa Road Indore 452020 India
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14
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Du X, Zhou J, Shi J, Xu B. Supramolecular Hydrogelators and Hydrogels: From Soft Matter to Molecular Biomaterials. Chem Rev 2015; 115:13165-307. [PMID: 26646318 PMCID: PMC4936198 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1266] [Impact Index Per Article: 140.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In this review we intend to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of the work of supramolecular hydrogelators after 2004 and to put emphasis particularly on the applications of supramolecular hydrogels/hydrogelators as molecular biomaterials. After a brief introduction of methods for generating supramolecular hydrogels, we discuss supramolecular hydrogelators on the basis of their categories, such as small organic molecules, coordination complexes, peptides, nucleobases, and saccharides. Following molecular design, we focus on various potential applications of supramolecular hydrogels as molecular biomaterials, classified by their applications in cell cultures, tissue engineering, cell behavior, imaging, and unique applications of hydrogelators. Particularly, we discuss the applications of supramolecular hydrogelators after they form supramolecular assemblies but prior to reaching the critical gelation concentration because this subject is less explored but may hold equally great promise for helping address fundamental questions about the mechanisms or the consequences of the self-assembly of molecules, including low molecular weight ones. Finally, we provide a perspective on supramolecular hydrogelators. We hope that this review will serve as an updated introduction and reference for researchers who are interested in exploring supramolecular hydrogelators as molecular biomaterials for addressing the societal needs at various frontiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Du
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, United States
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Bhattacharjee S, Bhattacharya S. Charge Transfer Induces Formation of Stimuli-Responsive, Chiral, Cohesive Vesicles-on-a-String that Eventually Turn into a Hydrogel. Chem Asian J 2015; 10:572-80. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201403205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Ponnumallayan P, Fee CJ. Reversible and rapid pH-regulated self-assembly of a poly(ethylene glycol)-peptide bioconjugate. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:14250-6. [PMID: 25375076 DOI: 10.1021/la502360k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The use of external triggers to manipulate the secondary structure of self-assembling peptides conjugated to flexible synthetic polymers is a challenging problem, particularly in terms of reversibility. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, sustained rapid and reversible, pH-regulated self-assembly of the peptide ELELELELELF (EL-5F) and its conjugates with 2 and 5 kDa poly(ethylene glycol) (EL-5F-PEG-2K and EL-5F-PEG-5K). Circular dichroism indicated the formation of β-sheet structures at pH < 5.9, 5.8, and 5.4 and disassembly to random coils above those pH values for EL-5F, EL-5F-PEG-2K, and EL-5F-PEG-5K, respectively. β-sheets were confirmed by the thioflavin T assay, while transmission electron microscopy revealed the existence of extended fibrillar structures below the above pH values. pH-induced secondary structure conversion was reproducible for over 15 cycles, even at salt concentrations of up to 200 mM NaCl, and was quantitatively related to the pH. Self-supporting hydrogelation after self-assembly was observed at concentrations as low as 0.2 wt %, which is 15-fold lower than previously reported concentrations. This simple approach to mediate reversible self-assembly of EL-5F-PEG bioconjugates is expected to offer novel functionality relevant to drug delivery and bioseparation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Ponnumallayan
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering and the Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury , Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand 8041
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