1
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Shao T, Noroozifar M, Kraatz HB. Divalent metal ion modulation of a simple peptide-based hydrogel: self-assembly and viscoelastic properties. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:2720-2729. [PMID: 38454905 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01544k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Peptide self-assembly has been highly studied to understand the pathways in forming higher order structures along with the development and application of resulting hydrogel materials. Driven by noncovalent interactions, peptide hydrogels are stimuli-responsive to any addition to its gelling conditions. Here, a Phe-His based peptide, C14-FH(Trt)-OH, was synthesized and characterized with 1H NMR, FT-IR, MS, UV-vis spectroscopies and elemental analysis. Based on SEM imaging, the dipeptide conjugate was capable of forming a nanofibrous, interconnected network encapsulating buffer to produce a supramolecular hydrogel. Through the addition of Zn2+ and Cu2+, there is a clear change in the self-assembled nanostructures characterized through SEM. With this effect on self-assembly follows a change in the viscoelastic properties of the material, as determined through rheological frequency sweeps, with 2 and 3 orders of magnitude decreases in the elastic modulus G' in the presence of Zn2+ and Cu2+ respectively. This highlights the tunability of soft material properties with peptide design and self-assembly, through metal ions and Nδ-directed coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuimy Shao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, M5S 3H6, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4, Scarborough, Canada.
| | - Meissam Noroozifar
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4, Scarborough, Canada.
| | - Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, M5S 3H6, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4, Scarborough, Canada.
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2
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Adorinni S, Gentile S, Bellotto O, Kralj S, Parisi E, Cringoli MC, Deganutti C, Malloci G, Piccirilli F, Pengo P, Vaccari L, Geremia S, Vargiu AV, De Zorzi R, Marchesan S. Peptide Stereochemistry Effects from p Ka-Shift to Gold Nanoparticle Templating in a Supramolecular Hydrogel. ACS NANO 2024; 18:3011-3022. [PMID: 38235673 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c08004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The divergent supramolecular behavior of a series of tripeptide stereoisomers was elucidated through spectroscopic, microscopic, crystallographic, and computational techniques. Only two epimers were able to effectively self-organize into amphipathic structures, leading to supramolecular hydrogels or crystals, respectively. Despite the similarity between the two peptides' turn conformations, stereoconfiguration led to different abilities to engage in intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Self-assembly further shifted the pKa value of the C-terminal side chain. As a result, across the pH range 4-6, only one epimer predominated sufficiently as a zwitterion to reach the critical molar fraction, allowing gelation. By contrast, the differing pKa values and higher dipole moment of the other epimer favored crystallization. The four stereoisomers were further tested for gold nanoparticle (AuNP) formation, with the supramolecular hydrogel being the key to control and stabilize AuNPs, yielding a nanocomposite that catalyzed the photodegradation of a dye. Importantly, the AuNP formation occurred without the use of reductants other than the peptide, and the redox chemistry was investigated by LC-MS, NMR, and infrared scattering-type near field optical microscopy (IR s-SNOM). This study provides important insights for the rational design of simple peptides as minimalistic and green building blocks for functional nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Adorinni
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Gentile
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ottavia Bellotto
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Materials Synthesis Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Evelina Parisi
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria C Cringoli
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Caterina Deganutti
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliano Malloci
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Piccirilli
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
- Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Pengo
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Silvano Geremia
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Attilio V Vargiu
- Physics Department, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Unit of Trieste, INSTM, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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3
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Giuri D, Ravarino P, Tomasini C. Transparent Organogels as a Medium for the Light-Induced Conversion from Spiropyran to Merocyanine. Gels 2023; 9:932. [PMID: 38131918 PMCID: PMC10742928 DOI: 10.3390/gels9120932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight peptide gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to form gels under a variety of conditions, even via simple ultrasound sonication. In this paper, the ability of Boc-L-Phe-D-Oxd-L-Phe-OBn to gelate three organic solvents (toluene, tert-butyl methyl ether, and ethanol) was evaluated. The rheological behaviour of the materials was assessed via strain sweep analysis, while the fibrous network was analysed via optical microscopy on the wet gels. The gel obtained from toluene is a highly transparent material, and the one from ethanol appears translucent, while the one from tert-butyl methyl ether is opaque. These gels were used to study the reversible light-induced transformation from spyropiran (SP) to merocyanine (MC) and back, as a model system to check the effect of the gel medium onto the rection kinetic. We observed that the solvent used to form the organogels has a crucial effect on the reaction, as gels from aprotic solvents stabilize the SP form, while the ones from protic solvents stabilize the MC form. We thus obtained a solid support to stabilize the two photochromic species just by changing the solvent polarity. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the self-assembled gels do not interfere with the light-driven conversion process, either starting from SP or MC, thus representing a valid and economical photochromic material.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Tomasini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (P.R.)
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4
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Parisi E, Adorinni S, Garcia AM, Kralj S, De Zorzi R, Marchesan S. Self-assembling tripeptide forming water-bound channels and hydrogels. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3524. [PMID: 37226306 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
D-Ser(tBu)-L-Phe-L-Trp is described as a self-assembling tripeptide that yields nanofibrillar hydrogels at physiological conditions (phosphate buffer at pH 7.4). The peptide is characterized by several spectroscopic methods, such as circular dichroism and fluorescence, oscillatory rheometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals supramolecular packing into water-bound channels and allows the visualization of the intermolecular interactions holding together peptide stacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Parisi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Adorinni
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ana M Garcia
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Department for Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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5
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Morwood AJ, El-Karim IA, Clarke SA, Lundy FT. The Role of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Adhesion Motifs in Functionalised Hydrogels. Molecules 2023; 28:4616. [PMID: 37375171 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To create functional tissue engineering scaffolds, biomaterials should mimic the native extracellular matrix of the tissue to be regenerated. Simultaneously, the survival and functionality of stem cells should also be enhanced to promote tissue organisation and repair. Hydrogels, but in particular, peptide hydrogels, are an emerging class of biocompatible scaffolds which act as promising self-assembling biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative therapies, ranging from articular cartilage regeneration at joint defects, to regenerative spinal cord injury following trauma. To enhance hydrogel biocompatibility, it has become imperative to consider the native microenvironment of the site for regeneration, where the use of functionalised hydrogels with extracellular matrix adhesion motifs has become a novel, emerging theme. In this review, we will introduce hydrogels in the context of tissue engineering, provide insight into the complexity of the extracellular matrix, investigate specific adhesion motifs that have been used to generate functionalised hydrogels and outline their potential applications in a regenerative medicine setting. It is anticipated that by conducting this review, we will provide greater insight into functionalised hydrogels, which may help translate their use towards therapeutic roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Morwood
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Ikhlas A El-Karim
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Susan A Clarke
- Medical Biology Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Fionnuala T Lundy
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
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6
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Marić I, Yang L, Li X, Santiago GM, Pappas CG, Qiu X, Dijksman JA, Mikhailov K, van Rijn P, Otto S. Tailorable and Biocompatible Supramolecular-Based Hydrogels Featuring two Dynamic Covalent Chemistries. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216475. [PMID: 36744522 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) has proven to be a valuable tool in creating fascinating molecules, structures, and emergent properties in fully synthetic systems. Here we report a system that uses two dynamic covalent bonds in tandem, namely disulfides and hydrazones, for the formation of hydrogels containing biologically relevant ligands. The reversibility of disulfide bonds allows fiber formation upon oxidation of dithiol-peptide building block, while the reaction between NH-NH2 functionalized C-terminus and aldehyde cross-linkers results in a gel. The same bond-forming reaction was exploited for the "decoration" of the supramolecular assemblies by cell-adhesion-promoting sequences (RGD and LDV). Fast triggered gelation, cytocompatibility and ability to "on-demand" chemically customize fibrillar scaffold offer potential for applying these systems as a bioactive platform for cell culture and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Marić
- Stratingh Institute, Centre for Systems Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen (The, Netherlands
- Dutch Polymer Institute, P. O. Box 902, 5600 AX, Eindhoven (The, Netherlands
| | - Liangliang Yang
- University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering-FB40 and W. J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen (The, Netherlands
| | - Xiufeng Li
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen (The, Netherlands
| | - Guillermo Monreal Santiago
- Stratingh Institute, Centre for Systems Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen (The, Netherlands
| | - Charalampos G Pappas
- Stratingh Institute, Centre for Systems Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen (The, Netherlands
| | - Xinkai Qiu
- Stratingh Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua A Dijksman
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen (The, Netherlands
| | - Kirill Mikhailov
- Stratingh Institute, Centre for Systems Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen (The, Netherlands
| | - Patrick van Rijn
- University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering-FB40 and W. J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen (The, Netherlands
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Stratingh Institute, Centre for Systems Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen (The, Netherlands
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7
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Bellotto O, D'Andrea P, Marchesan S. Nanotubes and water-channels from self-assembling dipeptides. J Mater Chem B 2023. [PMID: 36790014 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02643k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Dipeptides are attractive building blocks for biomaterials in light of their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and simplicity of preparation. Since the discovery of diphenylalanine (Phe-Phe) self-assembling ability into nanotubes, research efforts have been devoted towards the identification of other dipeptide sequences capable of forming these interesting nanomorphologies, although design rules towards nanotube formation are still elusive. In this review, we analyze the dipeptide sequences reported thus far for their ability to form nanotubes, which often feature water-filled supramolecular channels as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as their properties, and their potential biological applications, which span from drug delivery and regenerative medicine, to bioelectronics and bioimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Bellotto
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Paola D'Andrea
- Life Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy. .,INSTM, Unit of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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8
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Noteborn WM, Vittala SK, Torredemer MB, Maity C, Versluis F, Eelkema R, Kieltyka RE. Switching the Mode of Drug Release from a Reaction-Coupled Low-Molecular-Weight Gelator System by Altering Its Reaction Pathway. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:377-386. [PMID: 36562759 PMCID: PMC9832487 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight hydrogels are attractive scaffolds for drug delivery applications because of their modular and facile preparation starting from inexpensive molecular components. The molecular design of the hydrogelator results in a commitment to a particular release strategy, where either noncovalent or covalent bonding of the drug molecule dictates its rate and mechanism. Herein, we demonstrate an alternative approach using a reaction-coupled gelator to tune drug release in a facile and user-defined manner by altering the reaction pathway of the low-molecular-weight gelator (LMWG) and drug components through an acylhydrazone-bond-forming reaction. We show that an off-the-shelf drug with a reactive handle, doxorubicin, can be covalently bound to the gelator through its ketone moiety when the addition of the aldehyde component is delayed from 0 to 24 h, or noncovalently bound with its addition at 0 h. We also examine the use of an l-histidine methyl ester catalyst to prepare the drug-loaded hydrogels under physiological conditions. Fitting of the drug release profiles with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model corroborates a switch in the mode of release consistent with the reaction pathway taken: increased covalent ligation drives a transition from a Fickian to a semi-Fickian mode in the second stage of release with a decreased rate. Sustained release of doxorubicin from the reaction-coupled hydrogel is further confirmed in an MTT toxicity assay with MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We demonstrate the modularity and ease of the reaction-coupled approach to prepare drug-loaded self-assembled hydrogels in situ with tunable mechanics and drug release profiles that may find eventual applications in macroscale drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem
E. M. Noteborn
- Supramolecular
and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RALeiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sandeepa K. Vittala
- Supramolecular
and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RALeiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Broto Torredemer
- Supramolecular
and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RALeiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chandan Maity
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Delft University
of Technology, Van der
Maasweg 9, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Versluis
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Delft University
of Technology, Van der
Maasweg 9, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands
| | - Rienk Eelkema
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Delft University
of Technology, Van der
Maasweg 9, 2629 HZDelft, The Netherlands
| | - Roxanne E. Kieltyka
- Supramolecular
and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RALeiden, The Netherlands,
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9
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Egorova EA, Nikitin MP. Delivery of Theranostic Nanoparticles to Various Cancers by Means of Integrin-Binding Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213735. [PMID: 36430214 PMCID: PMC9696485 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Active targeting of tumors is believed to be the key to efficient cancer therapy and accurate, early-stage diagnostics. Active targeting implies minimized off-targeting and associated cytotoxicity towards healthy tissue. One way to acquire active targeting is to employ conjugates of therapeutic agents with ligands known to bind receptors overexpressed onto cancer cells. The integrin receptor family has been studied as a target for cancer treatment for almost fifty years. However, systematic knowledge on their effects on cancer cells, is yet lacking, especially when utilized as an active targeting ligand for particulate formulations. Decoration with various integrin-targeting peptides has been reported to increase nanoparticle accumulation in tumors ≥ 3-fold when compared to passively targeted delivery. In recent years, many newly discovered or rationally designed integrin-binding peptides with excellent specificity towards a single integrin receptor have emerged. Here, we show a comprehensive analysis of previously unreviewed integrin-binding peptides, provide diverse modification routes for nanoparticle conjugation, and showcase the most notable examples of their use for tumor and metastases visualization and eradication to date, as well as possibilities for combined cancer therapies for a synergetic effect. This review aims to highlight the latest advancements in integrin-binding peptide development and is directed to aid transition to the development of novel nanoparticle-based theranostic agents for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena A. Egorova
- Department of Nanobiomedicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 1 Olympic Ave., 354340 Sirius, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 1 Meditsinskaya Str., 603081 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Maxim P. Nikitin
- Department of Nanobiomedicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 1 Olympic Ave., 354340 Sirius, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 9 Institutskiy per., 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Correspondence:
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10
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Misra R, Tang Y, Chen Y, Chakraborty P, Netti F, Vijayakanth T, Shimon LJW, Wei G, Adler-Abramovich L. Exploiting Minimalistic Backbone Engineered γ-Phenylalanine for the Formation of Supramolecular Co-Polymer. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200223. [PMID: 35920234 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ordered supramolecular hydrogels assembled by modified aromatic amino acids often exhibit low mechanical rigidity. Aiming to stabilize the hydrogel and understand the impact of conformational freedom and hydrophobicity on the self-assembly process, we designed two building blocks based on 9-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl-phenylalanine (Fmoc-Phe) gelator which contain two extra methylene units in the backbone, generating Fmoc-γPhe and Fmoc-(3-hydroxy)-γPhe. Fmoc-γPhe spontaneously assembled in aqueous media forming a hydrogel with exceptional mechanical and thermal stability. Moreover, Fmoc-(3-hydroxy)-γPhe, with an extra backbone hydroxyl group decreasing its hydrophobicity while maintaining some molecular flexibility, self-assembled into a transient fibrillar hydrogel, that later formed microcrystalline aggregates through phase transition. Molecular dynamics simulations and single crystal X-ray analyses revealed the mechanism underlying the two residues' distinct self-assembly behaviors. Finally, we demonstrated Fmoc-γPhe and Fmoc-(3-OH)-γPhe co-assembly to form a supramolecular hydrogel with notable mechanical properties. We believe that the understanding of the structure-assembly relationship will enable the design of new functional amino acid-based hydrogels. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajkumar Misra
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel.,Dept. of Med. Chem, NIPER Mohali, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), 160062, India
| | - Yiming Tang
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (Nanjing), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (Nanjing), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Priyadarshi Chakraborty
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Francesca Netti
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Thangavel Vijayakanth
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research George S. Wise, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Linda J W Shimon
- Department of Chemical Research Support, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (Nanjing), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Lihi Adler-Abramovich
- Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the Center for the Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
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11
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Self-Assembled Peptide Nanostructures for ECM Biomimicry. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12132147. [PMID: 35807982 PMCID: PMC9268130 DOI: 10.3390/nano12132147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are functional building blocks of living organisms that exert a wide variety of functions, but their synthesis and industrial production can be cumbersome and expensive. By contrast, short peptides are very convenient to prepare at a low cost on a large scale, and their self-assembly into nanostructures and gels is a popular avenue for protein biomimicry. In this Review, we will analyze the last 5-year progress on the incorporation of bioactive motifs into self-assembling peptides to mimic functional proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and guide cell fate inside hydrogel scaffolds.
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12
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Mañas‐Torres MC, Illescas‐Lopez S, Gavira JA, de Cienfuegos LÁ, Marchesan S. Interactions Between Peptide Assemblies and Proteins for Medicine. Isr J Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mari C. Mañas‐Torres
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Unidad de Excelencia Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ) Universidad de Granada, (UGR) C. U. Fuentenueva Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n E-18071 Granada
| | - Sara Illescas‐Lopez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Unidad de Excelencia Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ) Universidad de Granada, (UGR) C. U. Fuentenueva Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n E-18071 Granada
| | - José A. Gavira
- Laboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-UGR) Avenida de las Palmeras 4 18100 Armilla, UEQ Granada Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez de Cienfuegos
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Unidad de Excelencia Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ) Universidad de Granada, (UGR) C. U. Fuentenueva Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n E-18071 Granada
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs Granada Spain
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department University of Trieste Via L. Giorgieri 1 Trieste 34127 Italy
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13
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Sakamoto Y, Suehiro F, Akiba I, Nishimura T. Supramolecular Shear-Thinning Glycopeptide Hydrogels for Injectable Enzyme Prodrug Therapy Applications. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:5883-5890. [PMID: 35471982 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Transplantable catalytic reactors have attracted considerable attention as therapeutic biomedical materials. However, existing transplantable reactors such as biocatalytic films are limited by their invasiveness. Here, we report the fabrication of biocatalytic supramolecular hydrogels via self-assembly of amphiphilic glycopeptides. We show that the hydrogels have shear-thinning properties, demonstrating their potential to be administered using a syringe. Enzymes can be loaded into the hydrogels by simply adding enzyme solution, and the enzyme-loaded hydrogels can transform a prodrug into an anticancer drug that inhibits tumor cell growth. This study demonstrates the potential of these biocatalytic hydrogels as injectable therapeutic reactors for enzyme prodrug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Sakamoto
- Department of Chemistry and Materials, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1, Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Fumi Suehiro
- Department of Chemistry and Materials, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1, Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Isamu Akiba
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Kitakyushu, 1-1 Hibikino, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan
| | - Tomoki Nishimura
- Department of Chemistry and Materials, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1, Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
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14
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Bellotto O, Semeraro S, Bandiera A, Tramer F, Pavan N, Marchesan S. Polymer Conjugates of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) with d-Amino Acids (d-aa): State of the Art and Future Opportunities. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020446. [PMID: 35214178 PMCID: PMC8879212 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have enjoyed a renaissance, as the world is currently facing an emergency in terms of severe infections that evade antibiotics’ treatment. This is due to the increasing emergence and spread of resistance mechanisms. Covalent conjugation with polymers is an interesting strategy to modulate the pharmacokinetic profile of AMPs and enhance their biocompatibility profile. It can also be an effective approach to develop active coatings for medical implants and devices, and to avoid biofilm formation on their surface. In this concise review, we focus on the last 5 years’ progress in this area, pertaining in particular to AMPs that contain d-amino acids, as well as their role, and the advantages that may arise from their introduction into AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Bellotto
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (O.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Sabrina Semeraro
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (O.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Antonella Bandiera
- Life Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (F.T.)
| | - Federica Tramer
- Life Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (F.T.)
| | - Nicola Pavan
- Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (O.B.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Yang X, Lu H, Tao Y, Zhang H, Wang H. Controlling supramolecular filament chirality of hydrogel by co-assembly of enantiomeric aromatic peptides. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:77. [PMID: 35144637 PMCID: PMC8832752 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular chirality plays an indispensable role in living and synthetic systems. However, the generation and control of filament chirality in the supramolecular hydrogel of short peptides remains challenging. In this work, as the first example, we report that the heterodimerization of the enantiomeric mixture controls the alignment, chirality, and stiffness of fibrous hydrogels formed by aromatic building blocks. The properties of the resulting racemic hydrogel could not be achieved by either pure enantiomer. Cryo-EM images indicate that the mixture of L and D enantiomers forms chiral nanofibers, the percentage of which can be readily controlled through stoichiometric co-assembly of heterochiral enantiomers. 2D NOESY NMR and diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy reveal that heterodimerization of enantiomers plays a crucial role in the formation of chiral nanofibers. Further mechanistic studies unravel the mechanism of supramolecular chirality formation in this two-component system. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm that the intermolecular hydrogen bond and π–π interaction of heterodimers play important roles in forming a chiral hydrogel. Furthermore, regulation of the adhesion and morphology of mammalian cells is achieved by tuning the relative ratio of L and D enantiomers at the same concentration. This work illustrates a novel strategy to control the supramolecular chirality of aromatic peptide hydrogels for materials science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Honglei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yinghua Tao
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hongyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Huaimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China. .,Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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16
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Coste M, Suárez-Picado E, Ulrich S. Hierarchical self-assembly of aromatic peptide conjugates into supramolecular polymers: it takes two to tango. Chem Sci 2022; 13:909-933. [PMID: 35211257 PMCID: PMC8790784 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05589e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular polymers are self-assembled materials displaying adaptive and responsive "life-like" behaviour which are often made of aromatic compounds capable of engaging in π-π interactions to form larger assemblies. Major advances have been made recently in controlling their mode of self-assembly, from thermodynamically-controlled isodesmic to kinetically-controlled living polymerization. Dynamic covalent chemistry has been recently implemented to generate dynamic covalent polymers which can be seen as dynamic analogues of biomacromolecules. On the other hand, peptides are readily-available and structurally-rich building blocks that can lead to secondary structures or specific functions. In this context, the past decade has seen intense research activity in studying the behaviour of aromatic-peptide conjugates through supramolecular and/or dynamic covalent chemistries. Herein, we review those impressive key achievements showcasing how aromatic- and peptide-based self-assemblies can be combined using dynamic covalent and/or supramolecular chemistry, and what it brings in terms of the structure, self-assembly pathways, and function of supramolecular and dynamic covalent polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëva Coste
- IBMM, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM Montpellier France
| | - Esteban Suárez-Picado
- IBMM, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM Montpellier France
| | - Sébastien Ulrich
- IBMM, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM Montpellier France
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17
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Shen Y, Wang Y, Hamley IW, Qi W, Su R, He Z. Chiral self-assembly of peptides: Toward the design of supramolecular polymers with enhanced chemical and biological functions. Prog Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2021.101469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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18
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La Manna S, Di Natale C, Onesto V, Marasco D. Self-Assembling Peptides: From Design to Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12662. [PMID: 34884467 PMCID: PMC8657556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-assembling peptides could be considered a novel class of agents able to harvest an array of micro/nanostructures that are highly attractive in the biomedical field. By modifying their amino acid composition, it is possible to mime several biological functions; when assembled in micro/nanostructures, they can be used for a variety of purposes such as tissue regeneration and engineering or drug delivery to improve drug release and/or stability and to reduce side effects. Other significant advantages of self-assembled peptides involve their biocompatibility and their ability to efficiently target molecular recognition sites. Due to their intrinsic characteristics, self-assembled peptide micro/nanostructures are capable to load both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs, and they are suitable to achieve a triggered drug delivery at disease sites by inserting in their structure's stimuli-responsive moieties. The focus of this review was to summarize the most recent and significant studies on self-assembled peptides with an emphasis on their application in the biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara La Manna
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Concetta Di Natale
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali CRIB, Università di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Valentina Onesto
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR NANOTEC, via Monteroni, c/o Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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19
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Bellotto O, Kralj S, Melchionna M, Pengo P, Kisovec M, Podobnik M, De Zorzi R, Marchesan S. Self-Assembly of Unprotected Dipeptides into Hydrogels: Water-Channels Make the Difference. Chembiochem 2021; 23:e202100518. [PMID: 34784433 PMCID: PMC9299199 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Unprotected dipeptides are attractive building blocks for environmentally friendly hydrogel biomaterials by virtue of their low‐cost and ease of preparation. This work investigates the self‐assembling behaviour of the distinct stereoisomers of Ile‐Phe and Phe‐Ile in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to form hydrogels, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), circular dichroism (CD), and oscillatory rheometry. Each peptide purity and identity was also confirmed by 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy and HPLC‐MS. Finally, single‐crystal XRD data allowed the key interactions responsible for the supramolecular packing into amphipathic layers or water‐channels to be revealed. The presence of the latter in the crystal structure is a distinctive feature of the only gelator of this work that self‐organizes into stable hydrogels, with fast kinetics and the highest elastic modulus amongst its structural isomers and stereoisomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Bellotto
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Materials Synthesis Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Michele Melchionna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,Unit of Trieste, INSTM, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Pengo
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matic Kisovec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,Unit of Trieste, INSTM, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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20
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Gayen K, Hazra S, Pal AK, Paul S, Datta A, Banerjee A. Tuning of the optoelectronic properties of peptide-appended core-substituted naphthalenediimides: the role of self-assembly of two positional isomers. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:7168-7176. [PMID: 34263281 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00752a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates how the self-assembly pattern of two different and isomeric peptide-appended core-substituted naphthalenediimides (NDIs) affects the modulation of their optoelectronic properties. Two isomeric peptide-attached NDIs were synthesized, purified and characterized. Interchanging the position of attachment of the peptide units and the alkyl chains in the NDI has altered the respective self-assembling patterns of these isomeric molecules in the aggregated states. The isomer having a peptide moiety in the core position and the alkyl chain in the imide position (compound N1) forms face to face stacking or 'H' aggregates in aliphatic solvents including n-hexane, and n-decane, whereas compound N2, in which the peptide moiety is at the imide position and the alkyl chain is attached at the core position of NDI exhibits edge to edge stacking or J aggregates under the same conditions as it is evident from their UV-vis studies. The H aggregated species (obtained from N1) show inter-connected nanofibers, whereas the J aggregated species (obtained from N2) exhibit the morphology of helical nanoribbons. FT-IR and X-ray diffraction studies are in favor of the same aggregation behavior. The individual packing patterns of these two peptide-based isomers have a direct impact on their respective electrical conductivity. Interestingly, the H aggregated species shows 100 times greater current conductivity than that of the J aggregate. Moreover, it is only the H aggregated species that exhibits a photocurrent, and no such photocurrent response is observed with the J aggregates. Computational studies also support that different types of aggregation patterns are formed by these two isomeric molecules in the same solvent system. This unique example of tuning of optoelectronic behavior holds future promise for the development of new peptide-conjugated π-functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kousik Gayen
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Soumyajit Hazra
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Arun K Pal
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Subir Paul
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Ayan Datta
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Arindam Banerjee
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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21
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Scarel M, Marchesan S. Diketopiperazine Gels: New Horizons from the Self-Assembly of Cyclic Dipeptides. Molecules 2021; 26:3376. [PMID: 34204905 PMCID: PMC8199760 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclodipeptides (CDPs) or 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) can exert a variety of biological activities and display pronounced resistance against enzymatic hydrolysis as well as a propensity towards self-assembly into gels, relative to the linear-dipeptide counterparts. They have attracted great interest in a variety of fields spanning from functional materials to drug discovery. This concise review will analyze the latest advancements in their synthesis, self-assembly into gels, and their more innovative applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Scarel
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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22
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Lou HY, Yan HP, Yang LG, Fan JH, Cho WC, Xiao ZH, Li SJ. Integrin α4β1/VCAM-1 Interaction Evokes Dynamic Cell Aggregation Between Immune Cells and Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells at Infectious Hemolysis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:653143. [PMID: 33959020 PMCID: PMC8093802 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.653143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial and viral infection is a common cause of pneumonia, respiratory failure, and even acute respiratory distress syndrome. Increasing evidence indicates that red blood cells (RBCs) may contribute to immune response and inflammation. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that link RBC and hemolysis to the development and progression of inflammatory pathologies are not entirely understood. In this study, we used bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to mimic an infectious hemolysis and found that RBCs dynamically regulated cell aggregation between immune cells and human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC). When RBCs were treated with LPS, integrin α4β1 was increased and was accompanied by cytokines and chemokines release (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, CXCL12, CCL5, CCL7 and CCL4). Upon α4β1 elevation, RBCs not only facilitated mature monocyte derived dendritic cell (mo-DCs) adhesion but also promoted HLMVEC aggregation. Furthermore, co-culture of the supernatant of LPS pre-treated RBCs with mo-DCs could promote naïve CD4 T cell proliferation. Notably, the filtered culture from LPS-lysed RBCs further promoted mo-DCs migration in a concentration dependent manner. From a therapeutic perspective, cyclic peptide inhibitor of integrin α4β1 combined with methylprednisolone (α4β1/Methrol) remarkably blocked RBCs aggregation to mo-DCs, HLMVEC, or mo-DCs and HLMVEC mixture. Moreover, α4β1/Methrol dramatically reduced mo-DCs migration up-regulated glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper in mo-DCs, and ultimately reversed immune cell dysfunction induced by hemolysis. Taken together, these results indicate that integrin α4β1 on RBCs could mediate cell-cell interaction for adaptive immunity through influencing cell adhesion, migration, and T cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yan Lou
- Emergency Center of Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Hai-Peng Yan
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hunan Children's Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China
| | - Long-Gui Yang
- Emergency Center of Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Jiang-Hua Fan
- Emergency Center of Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zheng-Hui Xiao
- Emergency Center of Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Shuang-Jie Li
- Department of Hepatopathy, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
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23
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Caporale A, Adorinni S, Lamba D, Saviano M. Peptide-Protein Interactions: From Drug Design to Supramolecular Biomaterials. Molecules 2021; 26:1219. [PMID: 33668767 PMCID: PMC7956380 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The self-recognition and self-assembly of biomolecules are spontaneous processes that occur in Nature and allow the formation of ordered structures, at the nanoscale or even at the macroscale, under thermodynamic and kinetic equilibrium as a consequence of specific and local interactions. In particular, peptides and peptidomimetics play an elected role, as they may allow a rational approach to elucidate biological mechanisms to develop new drugs, biomaterials, catalysts, or semiconductors. The forces that rule self-recognition and self-assembly processes are weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attractions, and van der Waals forces, and they underlie the formation of the secondary structure (e.g., α-helix, β-sheet, polyproline II helix), which plays a key role in all biological processes. Here, we present recent and significant examples whereby design was successfully applied to attain the desired structural motifs toward function. These studies are important to understand the main interactions ruling the biological processes and the onset of many pathologies. The types of secondary structure adopted by peptides during self-assembly have a fundamental importance not only on the type of nano- or macro-structure formed but also on the properties of biomaterials, such as the types of interaction, encapsulation, non-covalent interaction, or covalent interaction, which are ultimately useful for applications in drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Caporale
- IC-CNR, c/o Area Science Park, S.S. 14 Km 163.5 Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Simone Adorinni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche di Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Doriano Lamba
- IC-CNR, c/o Area Science Park, S.S. 14 Km 163.5 Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro 305, I-00136 Roma, Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IC-CNR), Via Giovanni Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
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24
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Garcia AM, Melchionna M, Bellotto O, Kralj S, Semeraro S, Parisi E, Iglesias D, D’Andrea P, De Zorzi R, Vargiu AV, Marchesan S. Nanoscale Assembly of Functional Peptides with Divergent Programming Elements. ACS NANO 2021; 15:3015-3025. [PMID: 33576622 PMCID: PMC8023796 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c09386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling peptides are being applied both in the biomedical area and as building blocks in nanotechnology. Their applications are closely linked to their modes of self-assembly, which determine the functional nanostructures that they form. This work brings together two structural elements that direct nanoscale self-association in divergent directions: proline as a β-breaker and the β-structure-associated diphenylalanine motif, into a single tripeptide sequence. Amino acid chirality was found to resolve the tension inherent to these conflicting self-assembly instructions. Stereoconfiguration determined the ability of each of the eight possible Pro-Phe-Phe stereoisomers to self-associate into diverse nanostructures, including nanoparticles, nanotapes, or fibrils, which yielded hydrogels with gel-to-sol transition at a physiologically relevant temperature. Three single-crystal structures and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations elucidated the ability of each peptide to establish key interactions to form long-range assemblies (i,e., stacks leading to gelling fibrils), medium-range assemblies (i.e., stacks yielding nanotapes), or short-range assemblies (i.e., dimers or trimers that further associated into nanoparticles). Importantly, diphenylalanine is known to serve as a binding site for pathological amyloids, potentially allowing these heterochiral systems to influence the fibrillization of other biologically relevant peptides. To probe this hypothesis, all eight Pro-Phe-Phe stereoisomers were tested in vitro on the Alzheimer's disease-associated Aβ(1-42) peptide. Indeed, one nonfibril-forming stereoisomer effectively inhibited Aβ fibrillization through multivalent binding between diphenylalanine motifs. This work thus defined heterochirality as a useful feature to strategically develop future therapeutics to interfere with pathological processes, with the additional value of resistance to protease-mediated degradation and biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Garcia
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Michele Melchionna
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- INSTM, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ottavia Bellotto
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Materials
Synthesis Department, Jožef Stefan
Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sabrina Semeraro
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Evelina Parisi
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Daniel Iglesias
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola D’Andrea
- Life
Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Attilio V. Vargiu
- Physics
Department, University of Cagliari, S.P. 8, km. 0.700, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- INSTM, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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25
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Kurbasic M, Garcia AM, Viada S, Marchesan S. Tripeptide Self-Assembly into Bioactive Hydrogels: Effects of Terminus Modification on Biocatalysis. Molecules 2020; 26:E173. [PMID: 33396543 PMCID: PMC7794889 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioactive hydrogels based on the self-assembly of tripeptides have attracted great interest in recent years. In particular, the search is active for sequences that are able to mimic enzymes when they are self-organized in a nanostructured hydrogel, so as to provide a smart catalytic (bio)material whose activity can be switched on/off with assembly/disassembly. Within the diverse enzymes that have been targeted for mimicry, hydrolases find wide application in biomaterials, ranging from their use to convert prodrugs into active compounds to their ability to work in reverse and catalyze a plethora of reactions. We recently reported the minimalistic l-His-d-Phe-d-Phe for its ability to self-organize into thermoreversible and biocatalytic hydrogels for esterase mimicry. In this work, we analyze the effects of terminus modifications that mimic the inclusion of the tripeptide in a longer sequence. Therefore, three analogues, i.e., N-acetylated, C-amidated, or both, were synthesized, purified, characterized by several techniques, and probed for self-assembly, hydrogelation, and esterase-like biocatalysis. This work provides useful insights into how chemical modifications at the termini affect self-assembly into biocatalytic hydrogels, and these data may become useful for the future design of supramolecular catalysts for enhanced performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Silvia Marchesan
- Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.K.); (A.M.G.); (S.V.)
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26
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Bellotto O, Kralj S, De Zorzi R, Geremia S, Marchesan S. Supramolecular hydrogels from unprotected dipeptides: a comparative study on stereoisomers and structural isomers. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:10151-10157. [PMID: 32935720 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01191f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Amino acid stereoconfiguration has been shown to play a key role in the self-assembly of unprotected tripeptides into hydrogels under physiological conditions. Dramatic changes were noted for hydrophobic sequences based on the diphenylalanine motif from the formation of amorphous aggregates in the case of homochiral peptides to nanostructured and stable hydrogels in the case of heterochiral stereoisomers. Herein, we report that by further shortening the sequence to a dipeptide, the overall differences between isomers are less marked, with both homo- and hetero-chiral dipeptides forming gels, although with different stability over time. The soft materials are studied by a number of spectroscopic and microcopic techniques, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction to unveil the supramolecular interactions of these hydrogel building blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Bellotto
- University of Trieste, Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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27
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Das AK, Gavel PK. Low molecular weight self-assembling peptide-based materials for cell culture, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anticancer, drug delivery, bioimaging and 3D bioprinting applications. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:10065-10095. [PMID: 33073836 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01136c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we have focused on the design and development of low molecular weight self-assembling peptide-based materials for various applications including cell proliferation, tissue engineering, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, wound healing, drug delivery, bioimaging and 3D bioprinting. The first part of the review describes about stimuli and various noncovalent interactions, which are the key components of various self-assembly processes for the construction of organized structures. Subsequently, the chemical functionalization of the peptides has been discussed, which is required for the designing of self-assembling peptide-based soft materials. Various low molecular weight self-assembling peptides have been discussed to explain the important structural features for the construction of defined functional nanostructures. Finally, we have discussed various examples of low molecular weight self-assembling peptide-based materials for cell culture, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, wound healing, drug delivery, bioimaging and 3D bioprinting applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurba K Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore 453552, India.
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28
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Shy AN, Li J, Shi J, Zhou N, Xu B. Enzyme-instructed self-assembly of the stereoisomers of pentapeptides to form biocompatible supramolecular hydrogels. J Drug Target 2020; 28:760-765. [PMID: 32668995 PMCID: PMC7729926 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1797048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This article reports enzyme-instructed self-assembly (EISA) of stereoisomers of pentapeptides as a simple approach for generating biocompatible supramolecular hydrogels as potential soft bionanomaterials. Peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels are emerging as a new type of biomaterials. The use of tyrosine phosphate offers a trigger for enzymatic hydrogelation, and the incorporation of D-amino acids can increase the proteolytic stability of peptides. This work compared four phosphorpeptides that are stereoisomers in terms of rate of dephosphorylation, proteolytic stability, and cell compatibility. The results show that the naphthyl (Nap)-capped pentapeptides, containing the amino acid sequence of Phe-Phe-Gly-Glu-pTyr, are able to undergo EISA to form the hydrogels consisting the nanofibres of the dephosphorylated pentapeptides. The naphthyl-capped D-phosphopentpeptides, contrasting to a naphthyl-capped D-phosphotripeptide (Nap-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-pTyr), are largely cell compatible. This result, suggesting that the sequence of phophopeptides also dedicates the cell compatibility of the peptide assemblies resulted from EISA, provides useful insights for developing supramolecular hydrogels as potential biomaterials with tailored properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna N. Shy
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA USA
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA USA
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA USA
| | - Ning Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA USA
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA USA
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29
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Klimek K, Ginalska G. Proteins and Peptides as Important Modifiers of the Polymer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications-A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E844. [PMID: 32268607 PMCID: PMC7240665 DOI: 10.3390/polym12040844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymer scaffolds constitute a very interesting strategy for tissue engineering. Even though they are generally non-toxic, in some cases, they may not provide suitable support for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, which decelerates tissue regeneration. To improve biological properties, scaffolds are frequently enriched with bioactive molecules, inter alia extracellular matrix proteins, adhesive peptides, growth factors, hormones, and cytokines. Although there are many papers describing synthesis and properties of polymer scaffolds enriched with proteins or peptides, few reviews comprehensively summarize these bioactive molecules. Thus, this review presents the current knowledge about the most important proteins and peptides used for modification of polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. This paper also describes the influence of addition of proteins and peptides on physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of polymer scaffolds. Moreover, this article sums up the major applications of some biodegradable natural and synthetic polymer scaffolds modified with proteins and peptides, which have been developed within the past five years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Klimek
- Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
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