Abstract
Fibrillar structures derived from plant or animal origin have long been a source of inspiration for the design of new biomaterials. The Asn-Gly-Ile-Trp-Tyr-NH2 (NGIWY-amide) pentapeptide, isolated from the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, which spontaneously self-assembles in water to form hydrogel, pertains to this category. In this study, we evaluated this ultra-short cosmetic bioinspired peptide as vector for local drug delivery applications. Combining nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and rheological studies, the synthesized pentapeptide formed a stiff hydrogel with a high β-sheet content. Molecular dynamic simulations aligned well with scanning electron and atomic-force microscopy studies, revealing a highly filamentous structure with the fibers adopting a helical-twisted morphology. Model dye localization within the supramolecular hydrogel provided insights on the preferential distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds in the hydrogel network. That was further depicted in the diffusion kinetics of drugs differing in their aqueous solubility and molecular weight, namely, doxorubicin hydrochloride, curcumin, and octreotide acetate, highlighting its versatility as a delivery vector of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds of different molecular weight. Along with the observed cytocompatibility of the hydrogel, the NGIWY-amide pentapeptide may offer new approaches for cell growth, drug delivery, and 3D bioprinting tissue-engineering applications.
Highlights
Ultra-short peptide hydrogels, with two to seven amino acids, have gained the interest of scientists due to their involvement in important biological processes [1]
transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis further verified the findings of atomic form microscopy (AFM) studies, showing that the NGIWY-amide pentapeptide was highly filamentous, forming micrometer-long fibers with twisted morphology and a mean diameter of 5.6 ± 1.1 nm
We demonstrated for the first time the self-assembling properties of a natural known marine peptide (NGIWY-amide) isolated from sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and explored the robust hydrogel’s physicochemical parameters and its potential as a drug delivery system
Summary
Ultra-short peptide hydrogels, with two to seven amino acids, have gained the interest of scientists due to their involvement in important biological processes [1]. Ultra-short peptide hydrogels, with two to seven amino acids, have gained the interPharmaceutics 2022, 14, 133 est of scientists due to their involvement in important biological processes [1] In addition to their advances in therapeutics [2], they are used in advanced nano-supramolecular technologies [3], novel smart bio-functional materials [4], vaccines [5], delivery systems technologies [3], novel smart bio-functional materials [4], vaccines [5], delivery systems for small drugs [6], biologics [7], and genes [8], as well as for cosmetics [9]. Hydroprobes [12], 3D bioprinting ink [13,14], and cell culture scaffolds for organoids
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