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Farasatkia A, Maeso L, Gharibi H, Dolatshahi-Pirouz A, Stojanovic GM, Edmundo Antezana P, Jeong JH, Federico Desimone M, Orive G, Kharaziha M. Design of nanosystems for melanoma treatment. Int J Pharm 2024; 665:124701. [PMID: 39278291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is a prevalent and concerning form of skin cancer affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Unfortunately, traditional treatments can be invasive and painful, prompting the need for alternative therapies with improved efficacy and patient outcomes. Nanosystems offer a promising solution to these obstacles through the rational design of nanoparticles (NPs) which are structured into nanocomposite forms, offering efficient approaches to cancer treatment procedures. A range of NPs consisting of polymeric, metallic and metal oxide, carbon-based, and virus-like NPs have been studied for their potential in treating skin cancer. This review summarizes the latest developments in functional nanosystems aimed at enhancing melanoma treatment. The fundamentals of these nanosystems, including NPs and the creation of various functional nanosystem types, facilitating melanoma treatment are introduced. Then, the advances in the applications of functional nanosystems for melanoma treatment are summarized, outlining both their benefits and the challenges encountered in implementing nanosystem therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asal Farasatkia
- Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Lidia Maeso
- NanoBioCel Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Hamidreza Gharibi
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Goran M Stojanovic
- Department of Electronics, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Pablo Edmundo Antezana
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA, CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jee-Heon Jeong
- Laboratory of Drug Delivery and Cell Therapy (LDDCT). Department of Precision Medicine. School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University. South Korea
| | - Martin Federico Desimone
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA, CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology - UIRMI (UPV/EHU-Fundación Eduardo Anitua), Vitoria 01007, Spain.
| | - Mahshid Kharaziha
- Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.
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Veloso SRS, Rosa M, Diaferia C, Fernandes C. A Review on the Rheological Properties of Single Amino Acids and Short Dipeptide Gels. Gels 2024; 10:507. [PMID: 39195036 DOI: 10.3390/gels10080507] [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: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-assembled peptide-based hydrogels have attracted considerable interest from the research community. Particularly, low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) consisting of amino acids and short peptides are highly suitable for biological applications owing to their facile synthesis and scalability, as well as their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and stability in physiological conditions. However, challenges in understanding the structure-property relationship and lack of design rules hinder the development of new gelators with the required properties for several applications. Hereby, in the plethora of peptide-based gelators, this review discusses the mechanical properties of single amino acid and dipeptide-based hydrogels. A mutual analysis of these systems allows us to highlight the relationship between the gel mechanical properties and amino acid sequence, preparation methods, or N capping groups. Additionally, recent advancements in the tuning of the gels' rheological properties are reviewed. In this way, the present review aims to help bridge the knowledge gap between structure and mechanical properties, easing the selection or design of peptides with the required properties for biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio R S Veloso
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies (LaPMET), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariangela Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sui Peptidi Bioattivi "Carlo Pedone" (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sui Peptidi Bioattivi "Carlo Pedone" (CIRPeB), University of Naples "Federico II", Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Célio Fernandes
- Transport Phenomena Research Centre (CEFT), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Centre of Mathematics (CMAT), School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Hajareh Haghighi F, Binaymotlagh R, Fratoddi I, Chronopoulou L, Palocci C. Peptide-Hydrogel Nanocomposites for Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery. Gels 2023; 9:953. [PMID: 38131939 PMCID: PMC10742474 DOI: 10.3390/gels9120953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, but conventional anticancer drugs have side effects, mainly due to their non-specific distribution in the body in both cancerous and healthy cells. To address this relevant issue and improve the efficiency of anticancer drugs, increasing attention is being devoted to hydrogel drug-delivery systems for different kinds of cancer treatment due to their high biocompatibility and stability, low side effects, and ease of modifications. To improve the therapeutic efficiency and provide multi-functionality, different types of nanoparticles (NPs) can be incorporated within the hydrogels to form smart hydrogel nanocomposites, benefiting the advantages of both counterparts and suitable for advanced anticancer applications. Despite many papers on non-peptide hydrogel nanocomposites, there is limited knowledge about peptide-based nanocomposites, specifically in anti-cancer drug delivery. The aim of this short but comprehensive review is, therefore, to focus attention on the synergies resulting from the combination of NPs with peptide-based hydrogels. This review, which includes a survey of recent advances in this kind of material, does not aim to be an exhaustive review of hydrogel technology, but it instead highlights recent noteworthy publications and discusses novel perspectives to provide valuable insights into the promising synergic combination of peptide hydrogels and NPs for the design of novel anticancer drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Hajareh Haghighi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (I.F.)
| | - Roya Binaymotlagh
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (I.F.)
| | - Ilaria Fratoddi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (I.F.)
| | - Laura Chronopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (I.F.)
- Research Center for Applied Sciences to the Safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cleofe Palocci
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (I.F.)
- Research Center for Applied Sciences to the Safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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4
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Hajareh Haghighi F, Binaymotlagh R, Chronopoulou L, Cerra S, Marrani AG, Amato F, Palocci C, Fratoddi I. Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Magnetogels for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water. Gels 2023; 9:621. [PMID: 37623076 PMCID: PMC10454050 DOI: 10.3390/gels9080621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we present the synthesis of a novel peptide-based magnetogel obtained through the encapsulation of γ-Fe2O3-polyacrylic acid (PAA) nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3NPs) into a hydrogel matrix, used for enhancing the ability of the hydrogel to remove Cr(III), Co(II), and Ni(II) pollutants from water. Fmoc-Phe (Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-Phenylalanine) and diphenylalanine (Phe2) were used as starting reagents for the hydrogelator (Fmoc-Phe3) synthesis via an enzymatic method. The PAA-coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized in a separate step, using the co-precipitation method, and encapsulated into the peptide-based hydrogel. The resulting organic/inorganic hybrid system (γ-Fe2O3NPs-peptide) was characterized with different techniques, including FT-IR, Raman, UV-Vis, DLS, ζ-potential, XPS, FESEM-EDS, swelling ability tests, and rheology. Regarding the application in heavy metals removal from aqueous solutions, the behavior of the obtained magnetogel was compared to its precursors and the effect of the magnetic field was assessed. Four different systems were studied for the separation of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions, including (1) γ-Fe2O3NPs stabilized with PAA, (γ-Fe2O3NPs); (2) Fmoc-Phe3 hydrogel (HG); (3) γ-Fe2O3NPs embedded in peptide magnetogel (γ-Fe2O3NPs@HG); and (4) γ-Fe2O3NPs@HG in the presence of an external magnetic field. To quantify the removal efficiency of these four model systems, the UV-Vis technique was employed as a fast, cheap, and versatile method. The results demonstrate that both Fmoc-Phe3 hydrogel and γ-Fe2O3NPs peptide magnetogel can efficiently remove all the tested pollutants from water. Interestingly, due to the presence of magnetic γ-Fe2O3NPs inside the hydrogel, the removal efficiency can be enhanced by applying an external magnetic field. The proposed magnetogel represents a smart multifunctional nanosystem with improved absorption efficiency and synergic effect upon applying an external magnetic field. These results are promising for potential environmental applications of γ-Fe2O3NPs-peptide magnetogels to the removal of pollutants from aqueous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Hajareh Haghighi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
| | - Roya Binaymotlagh
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
| | - Laura Chronopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
- Research Center for Applied Sciences to the Safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cerra
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
| | - Andrea Giacomo Marrani
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
| | - Francesco Amato
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
| | - Cleofe Palocci
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
- Research Center for Applied Sciences to the Safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Fratoddi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.H.H.); (R.B.); (S.C.); (A.G.M.); (F.A.); (I.F.)
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Vilaça H, Carvalho A, Castro T, Castanheira EMS, Hilliou L, Hamley I, Melle-Franco M, Ferreira PMT, Martins JA. Unveiling the Role of Capping Groups in Naphthalene N-Capped Dehydrodipeptide Hydrogels. Gels 2023; 9:464. [PMID: 37367135 DOI: 10.3390/gels9060464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembled peptide-based hydrogels are archetypical nanostructured materials with a plethora of foreseeable applications in nanomedicine and as biomaterials. N-protected di- and tri-peptides are effective minimalist (molecular) hydrogelators. Independent variation of the capping group, peptide sequence and side chain modifications allows a wide chemical space to be explored and hydrogel properties to be tuned. In this work, we report the synthesis of a focused library of dehydrodipeptides N-protected with 1-naphthoyl and 2-naphthylacetyl groups. The 2-naphthylacetyl group was extensively reported for preparation of peptide-based self-assembled hydrogels, whereas the 1-naphthaloyl group was largely overlooked, owing presumably to the lack of a methylene linker between the naphthalene aromatic ring and the peptide backbone. Interestingly, dehydrodipeptides N-capped with the 1-naphthyl moiety afford stronger gels, at lower concentrations, than the 2-naphthylacetyl-capped dehydrodipeptides. Fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that the self-assembly of the dehydrodipeptides is driven by intermolecular aromatic π-π stacking interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the 1-naphthoyl group allows higher order aromatic π-π stacking of the peptide molecules than the 2-naphthylacetyl group, together with hydrogen bonding of the peptide scaffold. The nanostructure of the gel networks was studied by TEM and STEM microscopy and was found to correlate well with the elasticity of the gels. This study contributes to understanding the interplay between peptide and capping group structure on the formation of self-assembled low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogels. Moreover, the results presented here add the 1-naphthoyl group to the palette of capping groups available for the preparation of efficacious low-molecular-weight peptide-based hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Vilaça
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industries of Portugal, 4760-034 Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
| | - André Carvalho
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Tarsila Castro
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Elisabete M S Castanheira
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Loic Hilliou
- Institute for Polymers and Composites, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ian Hamley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, P.O. Box 224, Reading RG6 6AD, UK
| | - Manuel Melle-Franco
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paula M T Ferreira
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - José A Martins
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Tuning Peptide-Based Hydrogels: Co-Assembly with Composites Driving the Highway to Technological Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010186. [PMID: 36613630 PMCID: PMC9820439 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-assembled peptide-based gels provide several advantages for technological applications. Recently, the co-assembly of gelators has been a strategy to modulate and tune gel properties and even implement stimuli-responsiveness. However, it still comprises limitations regarding the required library of compounds and outcoming properties. Hence, efforts have been made to combine peptide-based gels and (in)organic composites (e.g., magnetic nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, liposomes, graphene, silica, clay, titanium dioxide, cadmium sulfide) to endow stimuli-responsive materials and achieve suitable properties in several fields ranging from optoelectronics to biomedical. Herein, we discuss the recent developments with composite peptide-based gels including the fabrication, tunability of gels' properties, and challenges on (bio)technological applications.
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Veloso SRS, Gomes V, Mendes SLF, Hilliou L, Pereira RB, Pereira DM, Coutinho PJG, Ferreira PMT, Correa-Duarte MA, Castanheira EMS. Plasmonic lipogels: driving co-assembly of composites with peptide-based gels for controlled drug release. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:8384-8397. [PMID: 36193825 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00926a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular short peptide-based gels are promising materials for the controlled release of drugs (e.g. chemotherapeutic drugs) owing to the biocompatibility and similarity to cell matrix. However, the drug encapsulation and control over its release, mainly the hydrophilic drugs, can be a cumbersome task. This can be overcome through encapsulation/compartmentalization of drugs in liposomes, which can also enable spatiotemporal control and enhanced drug release through a trigger, such as photothermia. Having this in mind, we explored the assembly of silica-coated gold nanoparticles and liposomes (storage units) with dehydropeptide-based hydrogels as a proof-of-concept to afford peptide-based NIR light-responsive lipogels. Several liposomes compositions were assessed that displayed influence on the final assembly properties by combining with silica-coated gold nanorods (∼106 nm). Gold nanospheres (∼11 nm) were used to study the preparation method, which revealed the importance of initially combine liposomes with nanoparticles and then the gelator solution to achieve a closer proximity of the nanoparticles to the liposomes. The control over a hydrophilic model drug, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, was only achieved by its encapsulation in liposomes, in which the presence of silica-coated nanorods further enabled the use of photothermia to induce the liposomes phase transition and stimulate the drug release. Further, both composites, the liposomes and silica-coated gold nanorods, induced a lower elastic modulus, but also provided an enhanced gelation kinetics. Hereby, this work advances fabrication strategies for the development of short peptide-based hydrogels towards on-demand, sustained and controlled release of hydrophilic drugs through photothermia under NIR light irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio R S Veloso
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Valéria Gomes
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sérgio L F Mendes
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Loic Hilliou
- Institute for Polymers and Composites, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Renato B Pereira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - David M Pereira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo J G Coutinho
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Paula M T Ferreira
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Elisabete M S Castanheira
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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Bruckmann FDS, Nunes FB, Salles TDR, Franco C, Cadoná FC, Bohn Rhoden CR. Biological Applications of Silica-Based Nanoparticles. MAGNETOCHEMISTRY 2022; 8:131. [DOI: 10.3390/magnetochemistry8100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Silica nanoparticles have been widely explored in biomedical applications, mainly related to drug delivery and cancer treatment. These nanoparticles have excellent properties, high biocompatibility, chemical and thermal stability, and ease of functionalization. Moreover, silica is used to coat magnetic nanoparticles protecting against acid leaching and aggregation as well as increasing cytocompatibility. This review reports the recent advances of silica-based magnetic nanoparticles focusing on drug delivery, drug target systems, and their use in magnetohyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging. Notwithstanding, the application in other biomedical fields is also reported and discussed. Finally, this work provides an overview of the challenges and perspectives related to the use of silica-based magnetic nanoparticles in the biomedical field.
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Oliveira CBP, Pereira RB, Pereira DM, Hilliou L, Castro TG, Martins JA, Jervis PJ, Ferreira PMT. Aryl-Capped Lysine-Dehydroamino Acid Dipeptide Supergelators as Potential Drug Release Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11811. [PMID: 36233112 PMCID: PMC9569917 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Employing amino acids and peptides as molecular building blocks provides unique opportunities for generating supramolecular hydrogels, owing to their inherent biological origin, bioactivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, they can suffer from proteolytic degradation. Short peptides (<8 amino acids) attached to an aromatic capping group are particularly attractive alternatives for minimalistic low molecular weight hydrogelators. Peptides with low critical gelation concentrations (CGCs) are especially desirable, as the low weight percentage required for gelation makes them more cost-effective and reduces toxicity. In this work, three dehydrodipeptides were studied for their self-assembly properties. The results showed that all three dehydrodipeptides can form self-standing hydrogels with very low critical gelation concentrations (0.05−0.20 wt%) using a pH trigger. Hydrogels of all three dehydrodipeptides were characterised by scanning tunnelling emission microscopy (STEM), rheology, fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Molecular modelling was performed to probe the structural patterns and interactions. The cytotoxicity of the new compounds was tested using human keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line). In general, the results suggest that all three compounds are non-cytotoxic, although one of the peptides shows a small impact on cell viability. In sustained release assays, the effect of the charge of the model drug compounds on the rate of cargo release from the hydrogel network was evaluated. The hydrogels provide a sustained release of methyl orange (anionic) and ciprofloxacin (neutral), while methylene blue (cationic) was retained by the network.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renato B. Pereira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - David M. Pereira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Loic Hilliou
- Institute for Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tarsila G. Castro
- Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-122 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - José A. Martins
- Chemistry Centre, School of Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Peter J. Jervis
- Chemistry Centre, School of Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula M. T. Ferreira
- Chemistry Centre, School of Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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10
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Self-assembly in magnetic supramolecular hydrogels. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2022.101644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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11
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Alves C, Ribeiro A, Pinto E, Santos J, Soares G. Exploring Z-Tyr-Phe-OH-based hydrogels loaded with curcumin for the development of dressings for wound healing. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Oliveira CBP, Veloso SRS, Castanheira EMS, Figueiredo PR, Carvalho ATP, Hilliou L, Pereira RB, Pereira DM, Martins JA, Ferreira PMT, Jervis PJ. An injectable, naproxen-conjugated, supramolecular hydrogel with ultra-low critical gelation concentration-prepared from a known folate receptor ligand. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3955-3966. [PMID: 35551321 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00121g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Short peptides capped on the N-terminus with aromatic groups are often able to form supramolecular hydrogels-self-assembled networks of fibrils able to trap water molecules. Typically, these hydrogelators can form stiff gels at concentrations of 0.1 to 1.0 wt%-i.e. they consist of mainly water. The properties of these soft materials mimic those of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of biological tissue and therefore they have found many biomedical uses in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, biosensing and bioprinting applications. In drug delivery strategies related to cancer therapy, injectable hydrogels can serve as a depot formulation, where a sustained release of the chemotherapeutic from near the tumour site allows reduced doses and, therefore, decreased side effects. To further target cancer cells, folic acid-conjugated hydrogels and nanostructures are often sought, to exploit the overexpression of folate receptors on cancer cells-an approach which can allow the selective cellular uptake of an encapsulated drug. In this present study, two known dipeptide folate receptor ligands (1 and 2) recently identified from a screen of a DNA-encoded compound library, were synthesised and investigated for their hydrogelation ability and cytotoxicity. Compound 1, containing a naproxen capping group, rapidly forms hydrogels at concentrations as low as 0.03 wt%-one of the lowest critical gelation concentrations (CGCs) known for a supramolecular hydrogelator. In contrast, compound 2, which contains a 3-indolepropionic acid capping group, was unable to form hydrogels under a range of conditions and concentrations, instead forming nanospheres with diameters of 0.5 μm. Hydrogels of 1 were characterised by STEM microscopy, rheology, fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism. Both compounds 1 and 2 had no impact on the proliferation of kerotinocytes (HaCaT cells) at concentrations up to 100 μM. Compound 1, containing the NSAID, was tested for anti-inflammatory activity in a human cyclooxygenase-1/2 model. The rate of the release of model drug compounds from within hydrogels of 1 was also investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos B P Oliveira
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Sérgio R S Veloso
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Pedro R Figueiredo
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandra T P Carvalho
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Almac Sciences, Department of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry, Almac House, 20 Seagoe Industrial Estate, Craigavon, BT63 5QD, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Loic Hilliou
- Institute for Polymers and Composites, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Renato B Pereira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Lab. of Pharmacognosy, Dep. of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - David M Pereira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Lab. of Pharmacognosy, Dep. of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - José A Martins
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Paula M T Ferreira
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Peter J Jervis
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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Saji VS. Recent Updates on Supramolecular-Based Drug Delivery - Macrocycles and Supramolecular Gels. CHEM REC 2022; 22:e202200053. [PMID: 35510981 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202200053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecules-based drug delivery has attracted significant recent research attention as it could enhance drug solubility, retention time, targeting, and stimuli responsiveness. Among the different supramolecules and assemblies, the macrocycles and the supramolecular hydrogels are the two important categories investigated to a greater extent. Here, we provide the most recent advancements in these categories. Under macrocycles, reports on drug delivery by cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, calixarenes/pillararenes, crown ethers and porphyrins are detailed. The second category discusses the supramolecular hydrogels of macrocycles/polymers and low molecular weight gelators. The updated information provided could be helpful to advance R & D in this vital area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viswanathan S Saji
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Advanced Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia
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Veloso SRS, Tiryaki E, Spuch C, Hilliou L, Amorim CO, Amaral VS, Coutinho PJG, Ferreira PMT, Salgueiriño V, Correa-Duarte MA, Castanheira EMS. Tuning the drug multimodal release through a co-assembly strategy based on magnetic gels. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:5488-5500. [PMID: 35332904 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr08158f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled short peptide-based gels are highly promising drug delivery systems. However, implementing a stimulus often requires screening different structures to obtain gels with suitable properties, and drugs might not be well encapsulated and/or cause undesirable effects on the gel's properties. To overcome this challenge, a new design approach is presented to modulate the release of doxorubicin as a model chemotherapeutic drug through the interplay of (di)phenylalanine-coated magnetic nanoparticles, PEGylated liposomes and doxorubicin co-assembly in dehydropeptide-based gels. The composites enable an enhancement of the gelation kinetics in a concentration-dependent manner, mainly through the use of PEGylated liposomes. The effect of the co-assembly of phenylalanine-coated nanoparticles with the hydrogel displays a concentration and size dependence. Finally, the integration of liposomes as doxorubicin storage units and of nanoparticles as composites that co-assemble with the gel matrix enables the tuneability of both passive and active doxorubicin release through a thermal, and a low-frequency alternating magnetic field-based trigger. In addition to the modulation of the gel properties, the functionalization with (di)phenylalanine improves the cytocompatibility of the nanoparticles. Hereby, this work paves a way for the development of peptide-based supramolecular systems for on-demand and controlled release of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio R S Veloso
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET (Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Ecem Tiryaki
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Carlos Spuch
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, CIBERSAM, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Bloque Técnico, Planta 2, Sala de Investigación, Estrada Clara Campoamor, 341, 36212 Vigo, Spain
| | - Loic Hilliou
- Institute for Polymers and Composites, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - C O Amorim
- Physics Department and CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - V S Amaral
- Physics Department and CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paulo J G Coutinho
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET (Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Paula M T Ferreira
- Centro de Química (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Verónica Salgueiriño
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- CINBIO, Universidad de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
| | | | - Elisabete M S Castanheira
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP) and LaPMET (Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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Magnetoliposomes Based on Magnetic/Plasmonic Nanoparticles Loaded with Tricyclic Lactones for Combined Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111905. [PMID: 34834322 PMCID: PMC8625448 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liposome-like nanoarchitectures containing manganese ferrite nanoparticles covered or decorated with gold were developed for application in dual cancer therapy, combining chemotherapy and photothermia. The magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, UV/Visible absorption, HR-TEM, and SQUID, exhibiting superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The average size of the gold-decorated nanoparticles was 26.7 nm for MnFe2O4 with 5–7 nm gold nanospheres. The average size of the core/shell nanoparticles was 28.8 nm for the magnetic core and around 4 nm for the gold shell. Two new potential antitumor fluorescent drugs, tricyclic lactones derivatives of thienopyridine, were loaded in these nanosystems with very high encapsulation efficiencies (higher than 98%). Assays in human tumor cell lines demonstrate that the nanocarriers do not release the antitumor compounds in the absence of irradiation. Moreover, the nanosystems do not cause any effect on the growth of primary (non-tumor) cells (with or without irradiation). The drug-loaded systems containing the core/shell magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles efficiently inhibit the growth of tumor cells when irradiated with red light, making them suitable for a triggered release promoted by irradiation.
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Bolaamphiphilic Bis-Dehydropeptide Hydrogels as Potential Drug Release Systems. Gels 2021; 7:gels7020052. [PMID: 33946932 PMCID: PMC8162347 DOI: 10.3390/gels7020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-assembly of nanometric structures from molecular building blocks is an effective way to make new functional materials for biological and technological applications. In this work, four symmetrical bolaamphiphiles based on dehydrodipeptides (phenylalanyldehydrophenylalanine and tyrosyldehydrophenylalanine) linked through phenyl or naphthyl linkers (terephthalic acid and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) were prepared, and their self-assembly properties were studied. The results showed that all compounds, with the exception of the bolaamphiphile of tyrosyldehydrophenylalanine and 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, gave self-standing hydrogels with critical gelation concentrations of 0.3 wt % and 0.4 wt %, using a pH trigger. The self-assembly of these hydrogelators was investigated using STEM microscopy, which revealed a network of entangled fibers. According to rheology, the dehydrodipeptide bolaamphiphilic hydrogelators are viscoelastic materials with an elastic modulus G′ that falls in the range of native tissue (0.37 kPa brain–4.5 kPa cartilage). In viability and proliferation studies, it was found that these compounds were non-toxic toward the human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. In sustained release assays, we studied the effects of the charge present on model drug compounds on the rate of cargo release from the hydrogel networks. Methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and ciprofloxacin were chosen as cationic, anionic, and overall neutral cargo, respectively. These studies have shown that the hydrogels provide a sustained release of methyl orange and ciprofloxacin, while methylene blue is retained by the hydrogel network.
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17
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Veloso SRS, Andrade RGD, Castanheira EMS. Magnetoliposomes: recent advances in the field of controlled drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2021; 18:1323-1334. [PMID: 33836636 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2021.1915983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Magnetoliposomes have gained increasing attention as delivery systems, as they surpass many limitations associated with liposomes. The combination with magnetic nanoparticles provides a means for development of multimodal and multifunctional theranostic agents that enable on-demand drug release and real-time monitoring of therapy. AREAS COVERED Recently, several magnetoliposome structures have been reported to ensure efficient transport and delivery of therapeutics, while improving magnetic properties. Besides, novel techniques have been introduced to improve on-demand release, as well as to achieve sequential release of different therapeutic agents. This review presents the major types and methods of preparation of magnetoliposomes, and discusses recent strategies in the trigger of drug release, development of theranostic formulations, and delivery of drugs and biological entities. EXPERT OPINION Despite significant advances in efficient drug delivery, current literature lacks an assessment of formulations as theranostic agents and complementary techniques to optimize thermotherapy efficiency. Plasmonic magnetoliposomes are highly promising multimodal and multifunctional systems, providing the required design versatility to optimize theranostic capabilities. Further, photodynamic therapy and delivery of proteins/genes can be improved with a deeper research on the employed magnetic material and associated toxicity. A scale-up procedure is also lacking in recent research, which is limiting their translation to clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio R S Veloso
- Physics Center of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Raquel G D Andrade
- Physics Center of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Elisabete M S Castanheira
- Physics Center of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
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Evaluation of a Model Photo-Caged Dehydropeptide as a Stimuli-Responsive Supramolecular Hydrogel. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11030704. [PMID: 33799670 PMCID: PMC8001155 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Short peptides capped on the N-terminus with aromatic groups are often able to form supramolecular hydrogels, via self-assembly, in aqueous media. The rheological properties of these readily tunable hydrogels resemble those of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and therefore have potential for various biological applications, such as tissue engineering, biosensors, 3D bioprinting, drug delivery systems and wound dressings. We herein report a new photo-responsive supramolecular hydrogel based on a "caged" dehydropeptide (CNB-Phe-ΔPhe-OH 2), containing a photo-cleavable carboxy-2-nitrobenzyl (CNB) group. We have characterized this hydrogel using a range of techniques. Irradiation with UV light cleaves the pendant aromatic capping group, to liberate the corresponding uncaged model dehydropeptide (H-Phe-ΔPhe-OH 3), a process which was investigated by 1H NMR and HPLC studies. Crucially, this cleavage of the capping group is accompanied by dissolution of the hydrogel (studied visually and by fluorescence spectroscopy), as the delicate balance of intramolecular interactions within the hydrogel structure is disrupted. Hydrogels which can be disassembled non-invasively with temporal and spatial control have great potential for specialized on-demand drug release systems, wound dressing materials and various topical treatments. Both 2 and 3 were found to be non-cytotoxic to the human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. The UV-responsive hydrogel system reported here is complementary to previously reported related UV-responsive systems, which are generally composed of peptides formed from canonical amino acids, which are susceptible to enzymatic proteolysis in vivo. This system is based on a dehydrodipeptide structure which is known to confer proteolytic resistance. We have investigated the ability of the photo-activated system to accelerate the release of the antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, as well as some other small model drug compounds. We have also conducted some initial studies towards skin-related applications. Moreover, this model system could potentially be adapted for on-demand "self-delivery", through the uncaging of known biologically active dehydrodipeptides.
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Jervis PJ, Amorim C, Pereira T, Martins JA, Ferreira PMT. Dehydropeptide Supramolecular Hydrogels and Nanostructures as Potential Peptidomimetic Biomedical Materials. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2528. [PMID: 33802425 PMCID: PMC7959283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular peptide hydrogels are gaining increased attention, owing to their potential in a variety of biomedical applications. Their physical properties are similar to those of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is key to their applications in the cell culture of specialized cells, tissue engineering, skin regeneration, and wound healing. The structure of these hydrogels usually consists of a di- or tripeptide capped on the N-terminus with a hydrophobic aromatic group, such as Fmoc or naphthalene. Although these peptide conjugates can offer advantages over other types of gelators such as cross-linked polymers, they usually possess the limitation of being particularly sensitive to proteolysis by endogenous proteases. One of the strategies reported that can overcome this barrier is to use a peptidomimetic strategy, in which natural amino acids are switched for non-proteinogenic analogues, such as D-amino acids, β-amino acids, or dehydroamino acids. Such peptides usually possess much greater resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Peptides containing dehydroamino acids, i.e., dehydropeptides, are particularly interesting, as the presence of the double bond also introduces a conformational restraint to the peptide backbone, resulting in (often predictable) changes to the secondary structure of the peptide. This review focuses on peptide hydrogels and related nanostructures, where α,β-didehydro-α-amino acids have been successfully incorporated into the structure of peptide hydrogelators, and the resulting properties are discussed in terms of their potential biomedical applications. Where appropriate, their properties are compared with those of the corresponding peptide hydrogelator composed of canonical amino acids. In a wider context, we consider the presence of dehydroamino acids in natural compounds and medicinally important compounds as well as their limitations, and we consider some of the synthetic strategies for obtaining dehydropeptides. Finally, we consider the future direction for this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Jervis
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.A.); (T.P.); (J.A.M.); (P.M.T.F.)
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20
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Wątły J, Miller A, Kozłowski H, Rowińska-Żyrek M. Peptidomimetics - An infinite reservoir of metal binding motifs in metabolically stable and biologically active molecules. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 217:111386. [PMID: 33610030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of metal ions in interactions with therapeutic peptides is inevitable. They are one of the factors able to fine-tune the biological properties of antimicrobial peptides, a promising group of drugs with one large drawback - a problematic metabolic stability. Appropriately chosen, proteolytically stable peptidomimetics seem to be a reasonable solution of the problem, and the use of D-, β-, γ-amino acids, unnatural amino acids, azapeptides, peptoids, cyclopeptides and dehydropeptides is an infinite reservoir of metal binding motifs in metabolically stable, well-designed, biologically active molecules. Below, their specific structural features, metal-chelating abilities and antimicrobial potential are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Wątły
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland.
| | - Adriana Miller
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Henryk Kozłowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Joliot - Curie 14, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland; Department of Health Sciences, University of Opole, Katowicka 68, Opole 45-060, Poland
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21
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Veloso SR, Andrade RG, Castanheira EM. Review on the advancements of magnetic gels: towards multifunctional magnetic liposome-hydrogel composites for biomedical applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 288:102351. [PMID: 33387893 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic gels have been gaining great attention in nanomedicine, as they combine features of hydrogels and magnetic nanoparticles into a single system. The incorporation of liposomes in magnetic gels further leads to a more robust multifunctional system enabling more functions and spatiotemporal control required for biomedical applications, which includes on-demand drug release. In this review, magnetic gels components are initially introduced, as well as an overview of advancements on the development, tuneability, manipulation and application of these materials. After a discussion of the advantages of combining hydrogels with liposomes, the properties, fabrication strategies and applications of magnetic liposome-hydrogel composites (magnetic lipogels or magnetolipogels) are reviewed. Overall, the progress of magnetic gels towards smart multifunctional materials are emphasized, considering the contributions for future developments.
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Veloso SRS, Silva JFG, Hilliou L, Moura C, Coutinho PJG, Martins JA, Testa-Anta M, Salgueiriño V, Correa-Duarte MA, Ferreira PMT, Castanheira EMS. Impact of Citrate and Lipid-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles in Dehydropeptide Supramolecular Magnetogels: Properties, Design and Drug Release. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 11:E16. [PMID: 33374786 PMCID: PMC7824179 DOI: 10.3390/nano11010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the nanoparticle functionalization effect on supramolecular peptide-based hydrogels remains undescribed, but is expected to affect the hydrogels' self-assembly and final magnetic gel properties. Herein, two different functionalized nanoparticles: citrate-stabilized (14.4 ± 2.6 nm) and lipid-coated (8.9 ± 2.1 nm) magnetic nanoparticles, were used for the formation of dehydropeptide-based supramolecular magnetogels consisting of the ultra-short hydrogelator Cbz-L-Met-Z-ΔPhe-OH, with an assessment of their effect over gel properties. The lipid-coated nanoparticles were distributed along the hydrogel fibers, while citrate-stabilized nanoparticles were aggregated upon gelation, which resulted into a heating efficiency improvement and decrease, respectively. Further, the lipid-coated nanoparticles did not affect drug encapsulation and displayed improved drug release reproducibility compared to citrate-stabilized nanoparticles, despite the latter attaining a stronger AMF-trigger. This report points out that adsorption of nanoparticles to hydrogel fibers, which display domains that improve or do not affect drug encapsulation, can be explored as a means to optimize the development of supramolecular magnetogels to advance theranostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio R. S. Veloso
- Centro de Física (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (J.F.G.S.); (C.M.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - Joana F. G. Silva
- Centro de Física (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (J.F.G.S.); (C.M.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - Loic Hilliou
- Institute for Polymers and Composites, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
| | - Cacilda Moura
- Centro de Física (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (J.F.G.S.); (C.M.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - Paulo J. G. Coutinho
- Centro de Física (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (J.F.G.S.); (C.M.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - José A. Martins
- Centro de Química (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (J.A.M.); (P.M.T.F.)
| | - Martín Testa-Anta
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain; (M.T.-A.); (V.S.)
- CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain;
| | - Verónica Salgueiriño
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain; (M.T.-A.); (V.S.)
- CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain;
| | | | - Paula M. T. Ferreira
- Centro de Química (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (J.A.M.); (P.M.T.F.)
| | - Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
- Centro de Física (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (J.F.G.S.); (C.M.); (P.J.G.C.)
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Jervis PJ, Amorim C, Pereira T, Martins JA, Ferreira PMT. Exploring the properties and potential biomedical applications of NSAID-capped peptide hydrogels. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:10001-10012. [PMID: 32789370 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01198c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The development of strategies to minimise the adverse side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remains a challenge for medicinal chemists. One such strategy is the development of NSAID-peptide prodrug conjugates and this conjugation to a peptide often confers the additional property of hydrogelation. This review summarises the work published by our research group, alongside other research groups, on supramolecular hydrogels consisting of short peptides conjugated to NSAIDs. Generally, supramolecular low molecular weight hydrogels (LMWHs) are composed of amphiteric molecules, usually consisting of short peptides attached to an aromatic capping group. When the aromatic capping group is switched for an NSAID to afford hybrid gelators, some conjugates exhibit retained or improved anti-inflammatory properties of the parent drug, and sometimes new and unexpected biological activities are observed. Conjugation to peptides often provides selective COX-2 inhibition over COX-1 inhibtion, which is key to retaining the anti-inflammatory benefits of NSAIDs whilst minimising gastric side-effects. Naproxen is the most commonly employed NSAID capping group, partly due to its similarity in structure to commonly employed naphthalene capping groups. Biomimetic approaches, where canonical amino acids are switched for non-natural amino acids such as d-amino acids or dehydroamino acids, are often employed, to tune the stability. The future direction for this area of research is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Jervis
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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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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Veloso SRS, Andrade RGD, Ribeiro BC, Fernandes AVF, Rodrigues ARO, Martins JA, Ferreira PMT, Coutinho PJG, Castanheira EMS. Magnetoliposomes Incorporated in Peptide-Based Hydrogels: Towards Development of Magnetolipogels. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1702. [PMID: 32872453 PMCID: PMC7558371 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
A major problem with magnetogels is the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs. Magnetoliposomes not only provide these domains but also improve drug stability and avert the aggregation of the magnetic nanoparticles. In this work, two magnetoliposome architectures, solid and aqueous, were combined with supramolecular peptide-based hydrogels, which are of biomedical interest owing to their biocompatibility, easy tunability, and wide array of applications. This proof-of-concept was carried out through combination of magnetoliposomes (loaded with the model drug curcumin and the lipid probe Nile Red) with the hydrogels prior to pH triggered gelation, and fluorescence spectroscopy was used to assess the dynamics of the encapsulated molecules. These systems allow for the encapsulation of a wider array of drugs. Further, the local environment of the encapsulated molecules after gelation is unaffected by the used magnetoliposome architecture. This system design is promising for future developments on drug delivery as it provides a means to independently modify the components and adapt and optimize the design according to the required conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio R. S. Veloso
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (R.G.D.A.); (B.C.R.); (A.V.F.F.); (A.R.O.R.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - Raquel G. D. Andrade
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (R.G.D.A.); (B.C.R.); (A.V.F.F.); (A.R.O.R.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - Beatriz C. Ribeiro
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (R.G.D.A.); (B.C.R.); (A.V.F.F.); (A.R.O.R.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - André V. F. Fernandes
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (R.G.D.A.); (B.C.R.); (A.V.F.F.); (A.R.O.R.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - A. Rita O. Rodrigues
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (R.G.D.A.); (B.C.R.); (A.V.F.F.); (A.R.O.R.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - J. A. Martins
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (J.A.M.); (P.M.T.F.)
| | - Paula M. T. Ferreira
- Centre of Chemistry (CQUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (J.A.M.); (P.M.T.F.)
| | - Paulo J. G. Coutinho
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (R.G.D.A.); (B.C.R.); (A.V.F.F.); (A.R.O.R.); (P.J.G.C.)
| | - Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
- Centre of Physics (CFUM), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.R.S.V.); (R.G.D.A.); (B.C.R.); (A.V.F.F.); (A.R.O.R.); (P.J.G.C.)
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Gupta S, Singh I, Sharma AK, Kumar P. Ultrashort Peptide Self-Assembly: Front-Runners to Transport Drug and Gene Cargos. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:504. [PMID: 32548101 PMCID: PMC7273840 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The translational therapies to promote interaction between cell and signal come with stringent eligibility criteria. The chemically defined, hierarchically organized, and simpler yet blessed with robust intermolecular association, the peptides, are privileged to make the cut-off for sensing the cell-signal for biologics delivery and tissue engineering. The signature service and insoluble network formation of the peptide self-assemblies as hydrogels have drawn a spell of research activity among the scientists all around the globe in the past decades. The therapeutic peptide market players are anticipating promising growth opportunities due to the ample technological advancements in this field. The presence of the other organic moieties, enzyme substrates and well-established protecting groups like Fmoc and Boc etc., bring the best of both worlds. Since the large sequences of peptides severely limit the purification and their isolation, this article reviews the account of last 5 years' efforts on novel approaches for formulation and development of single molecule amino acids, ultra-short peptide self-assemblies (di- and tri- peptides only) and their derivatives as drug/gene carriers and tissue-engineering systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Gupta
- Chemistry Department, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Indu Singh
- Chemistry Department, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashwani K. Sharma
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
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Development of Novel Magnetoliposomes Containing Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles Covered with Gold for Applications in Thermotherapy. MATERIALS 2020; 13:ma13040815. [PMID: 32054053 PMCID: PMC7078757 DOI: 10.3390/ma13040815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Multifunctional nanosystems combining magnetic and plasmonic properties are a promising approach for cancer therapy, allowing magnetic guidance and a local temperature increase. This capability can provide a triggered drug release and synergistic cytotoxic effect in cancer cells. In this work, nickel ferrite/gold nanoparticles were developed, including nickel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles decorated with plasmonic gold nanoparticles and core/shell nanostructures (with a nickel ferrite core and a gold shell). These nanoparticles were covered with a surfactant/lipid bilayer, originating liposome-like structures with diameters below 160 nm. The heating capacity of these systems, upon excitation with light above 600 nm wavelength, was assessed through the emission quenching of rhodamine B located in the lipid layer. The developed nanosystems show promising results for future applications in thermotherapy.
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