Article
Polymer Science
Mattia Vitale, Cosimo Ligorio, Ian P. Smith, Stephen M. Richardson, Judith A. Hoyland, Jordi Bella
Summary: Hydrogel biomaterials mimic the natural extracellular matrix and can be modified with different proteins, such as collagens, to control cell behavior. A protocol for incorporating collagens into peptide-based hydrogels was reported, showing that the collagen molecules interact with the hydrogel fibers without affecting mechanical properties. The collagen-incorporated hydrogels are still biologically active and can be used in studies to differentiate and control cell behavior.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tania L. Lopez-Silva, Carlo D. Cristobal, Cheuk Sun Edwin Lai, Viridiana Leyva-Aranda, Hyun Kyoung Lee, Jeffrey D. Hartgerink
Summary: The study demonstrates that MDPs enhance neurite outgrowth and promote a multicellular pro-regenerative response in peripheral nerve injury.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meg L. Mcfetridge, Ketav Kulkarni, Tzong-Hsien Lee, Mark P. Del Borgo, Marie-Isabel Aguilar, Sharon D. Ricardo
Summary: Self-assembling lipopeptide hydrogels have been widely studied for therapeutics delivery due to their desirable properties such as rapid gelation, injectability, and controlled physicochemical characteristics. In this study, the researchers aimed to encapsulate cells in a 3D hydrogel using self-assembling lipidated-beta(3)-peptides, which have been previously used as 2D substrates in cell culture. Through fluorescence microscopy and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, it was found that lipidated beta(3)-peptides can penetrate the cell membrane and localize to the mitochondrial network. However, further optimization may be necessary to minimize membrane uptake for cell encapsulation applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meg L. Mcfetridge, Ketav Kulkarni, Tzong-Hsien Lee, Mark P. Del Borgo, Marie-Isabel Aguilar, Sharon D. Ricardo
Summary: Self-assembling lipopeptide hydrogels have been widely used for therapeutics delivery due to their unique properties. However, their potential application in cell-encapsulation is still being explored. In this study, the authors assessed the cell-penetrating properties of lipidated-ss(3)-peptides in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and demonstrated that these peptides can penetrate the MSC plasma membrane and localize to the mitochondrial network. Further optimization is needed to minimize the membrane uptake of these peptides for cell encapsulation applications.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aline Yen Ling Wang, Kuan-Hung Chen, Hsiu-Chao Lin, Charles Yuen Yung Loh, Yun-Ching Chang, Ana Elena Avina, Chin-Ming Lee, I-Ming Chu, Fu-Chan Wei
Summary: Vascularized composite allotransplantation is a strategy for reconstructing unique defects like amputated limbs. To ensure the function of transplanted limbs, the recovery of the anastomosed nerves is crucial. Tacrolimus has been shown to promote nerve recovery but has risks of systemic complications. A mixed thermosensitive hydrogel was developed for sustained release of tacrolimus, which improved functional recovery of injured nerves without adverse effects.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Faye Bolan, Ben R. Dickie, James R. Cook, Josephine M. Thomas, Emmanuel Pinteaux, Stuart M. Allan, Alberto Saiani, Catherine B. Lawrence
Summary: This study investigated the feasibility, safety, and regenerative effects of injecting a novel self-assembling peptide hydrogel in a rat model of ICH. The results showed that the hydrogel was safe, had no negative effects on functional outcomes, and increased cell proliferation.
TRANSLATIONAL STROKE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sharanya Sankar, Kate O'Neill, Maurice Bagot D'Arc, Florian Rebeca, Marie Buffier, Elton Aleksi, Melanie Fan, Noriaki Matsuda, Eun Seok Gil, Lisa Spirio
Summary: RADA16 is a synthetic peptide that self-assembles into nanofiber hydrogels in an acidic environment and quickly forms a stable transparent hydrogel matrix in physiological pH. It is used as a hemostatic agent in surgical procedures to control bleeding and prevent rebleeding, with potential applications in wound healing and adhesion reduction. The unique properties of RADA16 make it an ideal candidate for tissue regeneration and controlled drug delivery in the future.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Chengshi Wang, Tiancheng Li, Xinyi Zeng, Lei Wu, Min Gao, Nanwei Tong, Peipei Duan, Jingping Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that local delivery of IL-10 by injectable SAP hydrogel can promote bone regeneration in diabetic alveolar bone defects, suggesting its potential therapeutic value.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ruixue Li, Yang Sun, Zhengwei Cai, Yang Li, Jian Sun, Wei Bi, Fei Yang, Qianrong Zhou, Tingjun Ye, Youcheng Yu
Summary: A novel peptide hydrogel (HA-c-CGRP) was constructed in this study, which sustained release highly bioactive CGRP and promoted BMSCs proliferation and osteoblast differentiation. The cocrosslinking HA-c-CGRP hydrogel accelerated new bone formation process with the highly bioactive peptide, showing promising prospect for healing defected bone tissue.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara La Manna, Concetta Di Natale, Valentina Onesto, Daniela Marasco
Summary: Self-assembling peptides are a novel class of agents with versatile applications in the biomedical field. They exhibit biocompatibility and molecular recognition capabilities, making them suitable for drug delivery and tissue engineering purposes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Huimin Chen, Xixi Cai, Jing Cheng, Shaoyun Wang
Summary: This review provides a prospective analysis of the application of peptide self-assembly in the food industry. The design of peptide sequences is closely related to the control of self-assembly morphology, which relies on a deep understanding of peptide structure and environmental factors. Peptide self-assembly has great potential in the field of food due to its excellent structural characteristics and biocompatibility.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangmin Li, Lichang Gao, Xudong Zhang, Pin Wang, Yuanxue Liu, Jinhui Feng, Chunxia Zhang, Chengru Zhao, Shang Zhang
Summary: The PP-type self-assembling peptides have superior sol-gel transition ability and improved solubility, lower viscosity, and simplified synthesis process compared to classic self-assembling peptides. Tested as a hemostatic agent and mucosal elevating agent, the PRVDP9 sequence peptide showed comparable results to the classic RADA16, indicating higher commercial potential for PP-type peptides.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daisuke Fujii, Kento Takase, Ami Takagi, Kei Kamino, Yoshiaki Hirano
Summary: The study focuses on the design and role of RGD-containing peptides in cellular activities, exploring their application in tissue engineering through analysis of peptide structures and mechanical properties, and demonstrating that peptide-coated cell culture substrates have a significant promoting effect on cell adhesion and spreading.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Salwa Alshehri, Hepi H. Susapto, Charlotte A. E. Hauser
Summary: Using self-assembling tetrapeptide scaffolds can promote the growth and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells, with the ability to adjust stiffness by changing concentration; the scaffold can also enhance angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro, indicating great potential for bone tissue engineering applications.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kun Fu, Hanguang Wu, Zhiqiang Su
Summary: The hierarchical formation of self-assembling peptide-based hydrogels (SAPHs) starts from peptide to nanofibers, forming hydrogels with nanofibrous network, which possess unique structure, exceptional biocompatibility, and diverse applications. This review introduces the fabrication, properties, and biological applications of SAPHs, along with systematic explanations on factors influencing synthesis process and properties of SAPHs products. The review also highlights current challenges and offers perspectives on future development of SAPHs in biotechnology.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Takuya Mabuchi, Junko Kijima, Yukino Yamashita, Erika Miura, Takahiro Muraoka
Summary: In this study, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the formation and properties of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) coacervates. It was found that coacervate formation was enhanced with increasing polymer concentration and length, while the internal structure and dynamics properties inside the coacervate phase remained similar. The ion and water concentrations as well as the diffusion coefficients of water inside a coacervate were reduced compared to bulk water. The simulations also demonstrated the preferential partitioning of RNA polymers inside coacervates based on their hydrophobic modification. These findings provide insights into controlling coacervate formation and stability under various conditions and have implications for the design of new biopolymers with desired properties.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Naoya Ieda, Masato Sawada, Runa Oguchi, Masato Itoh, Seina Hirakata, Daisuke Saitoh, Akito Nakao, Mitsuyasu Kawaguchi, Kazunobu Sawamoto, Toshitada Yoshihara, Yasuo Mori, Hidehiko Nakagawa
Summary: We have developed an optochemical O-2 scavenging system that can control hypoxia levels in living cells by adjusting light intensity. This system utilizes rhodamine with a selenium or tellurium atom as an oxygen scavenger, which reacts with glutathione upon visible light irradiation to rapidly consume O-2. The system has a quick response time and the consumed glutathione quantum yields were calculated as approximately 5%. Using hypoxia-responsive fluorescence probe and phosphorescence lifetime imaging, we demonstrated the spatiotemporal control of O-2 consumption and its potential application in regulating calcium ion influx in hypoxic conditions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yuya Ohno, Chikako Nakajima, Itsuki Ajioka, Takahiro Muraoka, Atsuya Yaguchi, Teppei Fujioka, Saori Akimoto, Misaki Matsuo, Ahmed Lotfy, Sayuri Nakamura, Vicente Herranz-Perez, Jose Manuel Garcia-Verdugo, Noriyuki Matsukawa, Naoko Kaneko, Kazunobu Sawamoto
Summary: The mammalian brain has limited regenerative ability, but promoting the migration of neuroblasts from neural stem cells using biomaterials shows promise for aiding recovery after injury.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yoshika Hara, Atsuya Yaguchi, Hirotsugu Hiramatsu, Takahiro Muraoka
Summary: The gel-sol transition of self-assembling peptides can be chemically controlled by altering the amino acid sequence, leading to different kinetics of the transition. Amphiphilic peptides with methionine residues in different positions were developed, and their gel-sol transition and cargo-releasing kinetics were compared. The results show that the position of the reactive amino acid residue can rationally control the phase transition and releasing kinetics of self-assembling peptides.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shunsuke Okada, Yosuke Matsumoto, Masaki Okumura, Takahiro Muraoka
Summary: The study found that imidazoyl-conjugated thiol (ImdSH) can promote the folding of disulfide bond-coupled proteins. Compared to the conventionally used additive glutathione, ImdSH can accelerate the folding process of reduced ribonuclease A and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kazuma Hamaguchi, Huanjun Lu, Shota Okamura, Satoshi Kajiyama, Junya Uchida, Shunsuke Sato, Go Watanabe, Yoshiki Ishii, Hitoshi Washizu, Goran Ungar, Takashi Kato
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Noriyuki Uchida, Yunosuke Ryu, Yuichiro Takagi, Ken Yoshizawa, Kotono Suzuki, Yasutaka Anraku, Itsuki Ajioka, Naofumi Shimokawa, Masahiro Takagi, Norihisa Hoshino, Tomoyuki Akutagawa, Teruhiko Matsubara, Toshinori Sato, Yuji Higuchi, Hiroaki Ito, Masamune Morita, Takahiro Muraoka
Summary: Biological membranes can be functionalized by membrane-associated protein machinery. A synthetic molecular machine (AzoMEx) with a photoresponsive diazocine core is developed to expand liposomal membranes and encapsulate cargo components through membrane deformation. This molecular approach has the potential for drug delivery and controlling cellular activities.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Go Watanabe, Akane Yamazaki, Jun Yoshida
Summary: Nematic liquid crystals can form chiral nematic structures when doped with chiral molecules, and the helical pitch is inversely proportional to the concentration and inducing power of the chiral dopant. The miscibility of the chiral dopant with the nematic solvent depends on the diffusion coefficient of the solvent.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Craig P. Yu, Shohei Kumagai, Michitsuna Tsutsumi, Tadanori Kurosawa, Hiroyuki Ishii, Go Watanabe, Daisuke Hashizume, Hiroki Sugiura, Yukio Tani, Toshihiro Ise, Tetsuya Watanabe, Hiroyasu Sato, Jun Takeya, Toshihiro Okamoto
Summary: This study reports an asymmetric molecular design approach to improve the solubility and solution-processability of benzo[de]isoquinolino[1,8-gh]quinolinetetracarboxylic diimide (BQQDI), while maintaining its excellent charge transport properties, resulting in materials with high electron mobility and large-area continuous single-crystalline thin films.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Noriyuki Uchida, Takahiro Muraoka
Summary: This feature article discusses recent research on self-assembling materials that mimic and control dynamic bio-interfaces. Self-assembling peptides have been used to reconstruct extracellular matrix (ECM) and promote neuronal migration and tissue regeneration. These peptides can also stabilize the structure of phospholipid bilayers, allowing for extended blood circulation and efficient encapsulation of micrometer-size substances. By utilizing photo-responsive synthetic surfactants, endocytosis-like membrane deformation can be triggered for drug delivery to multiple organs. These supramolecular approaches have the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine and drug delivery systems.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Liang-Hung Weng, Hirotsugu Hiramatsu
Summary: In this study, a combination of liquid chromatography-Raman spectroscopy (LC-Raman) and programmable pump-Raman spectroscopy (PP-Raman) was used to separate and identify compounds in a mixture. These techniques were used for quantitative analysis of sugars in honey. The LC-Raman data was analyzed using the MCR-ALS analysis procedure to separate and identify four sugars, while the PP-Raman method examined the concentration dependence of the Raman spectrum intensity. The sugar contents were quantitatively determined and compared with mass spectrometry and previous studies.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Keiko Hiratsuka, Tatsuya Muramatsu, Takuya Seki, Christoph Weder, Go Watanabe, Yoshimitsu Sagara
Summary: In this study, the correlation between the mechanoresponsive luminescent behavior of rotaxane mechanophores and the size of the stopper used in the mechanophores was investigated. It was found that larger stoppers prevent the detachment of the ring molecule, resulting in reversible emission intensity changes, while smaller stoppers lead to irreversible emission intensity changes. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed these experimental observations. This study demonstrates the ability to create polymers with a wide range of mechanoresponsive luminescence behaviors by varying the size of the stopper.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tomoyuki Hamachi, Koki Nishimura, Keita Sakamoto, Yusuke Kawashima, Hironori Kouno, Shunsuke Sato, Go Watanabe, Kenichiro Tateishi, Tomohiro Uesaka, Nobuhiro Yanai
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful triplet-DNP of pyruvate by utilizing supramolecular complexation with beta-cyclodextrin, which holds significant importance for the widespread use of ultra-sensitive MRI in cancer diagnosis.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kai-Chin Chien, Surajit Maity, Hirotsugu Hiramatsu
Summary: We report the hyper-Raman (HR) spectrum of trifluoroethanol excited with 532 nm light in an aqueous solution at basic pH. The HR spectrum exhibits a distinctive spectral pattern diverging entirely from the infrared and Raman spectra of trifluoroethanol. This unique HR signal is attributed to the products of photoinduced radical reactions in the aqueous solution. This result exemplifies the exceptional capabilities of HR spectroscopy based on resonance conditions.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)