Functional Peptide-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Pharmacy and Formulation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 9284

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Pharmaceutical Engineering Department, Nanjing Technology University, Nanjing 210028, China
Interests: pharmaceutical technology, with emphasis in manufacturing processes and dosage form design
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Guest Editor
Department of orthopaedic, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
Interests: tissue engineering; materials engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional peptide-based biomaterials have been widely used in biomedical application research, including peptides that can respond to different stimuli (such as pH, redox potential, temperature, light and enzyme), self-assembly peptide hydrogels, cell penetrating peptides, affinity peptides that interact with receptors, and peptide-drug conjugates. Therefore, the intelligent and multifunctional peptide based structural system can respond to environmental stimuli, promote tissue repair and regeneration through the biomimetic extracellular matrix structure, penetrate cell membranes, induce functional effects by binding receptors, and deliver drug molecules in a single molecule, which play an important role in the research of biomedical applications. The purpose of this Special Issue of Pharmaceutics is to collect research and review papers on biomedical applications of functional peptide-based biomaterials. We welcome articles dealing with various aspects of functional peptide-based biomaterials, and invite researchers and drug developers to publish their original research or review articles, including expert opinions and perspectives in the field of biomedical applications. The topics include but are not limited to:

  • Self-assembly peptide hydrogels for cell repair and regeneration;
  • Environmental stimuli-responsive peptide-based biomaterials;
  • Peptide drug delivery system;
  • Cell penetrating peptides;
  • Receptor-affinity peptides and the combinations;
  • Peptide-drug conjugates in biomedical applications.

Prof. Dr. Yishen Zhu
Dr. Qingqiang Yao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • functional peptides
  • biomedical applications
  • tissue engineering
  • environmental stimuli-responsive
  • self-assembly peptide hydrogels
  • affinity peptides
  • peptide drug delivery system
  • cell penetrating peptides

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3726 KiB  
Article
A Nucleus-Targeting WT1 Antagonistic Peptide Encapsulated in Polymeric Nanomicelles Combats Refractory Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
by Mengting Chen, Xiaocui Fang, Rong Du, Jie Meng, Jingyi Liu, Mingpeng Liu, Yanlian Yang and Chen Wang
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(9), 2305; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15092305 - 12 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1320
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is recognized as a classic clonal myeloproliferative disorder. Given the limited treatment options for CML patients in the accelerated phase (AP) and blast phase (BP), there is an evident need to develop new therapeutic strategies. This has the potential [...] Read more.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is recognized as a classic clonal myeloproliferative disorder. Given the limited treatment options for CML patients in the accelerated phase (AP) and blast phase (BP), there is an evident need to develop new therapeutic strategies. This has the potential to improve outcomes for individuals in the advanced stages of CML. A promising therapeutic target is Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1), which is highly expressed in BP-CML cells and plays a crucial role in CML progression. In this study, a chemically synthesized nucleus-targeting WT1 antagonistic peptide termed WIP2W was identified. The therapeutic implications of both the peptide and its micellar formulation, M—WIP2W, were evaluated in WT1+ BP-CML cell lines and in mice. The findings indicate that WIP2W can bind specifically to the WT1 protein, inducing cell cycle arrest and notable cytotoxicity in WT1+ BP-CML cells. Moreover, subcutaneous injections of M—WIP2W were observed to significantly enhance intra-tumoral accumulation and to effectively inhibit tumor growth. Thus, WIP2W stands out as a potent and selective WT1 inhibitor, and the M—WIP2W nanoformulation appears promising for the therapeutic treatment of refractory CML as well as other WT1-overexpressing malignant cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Peptide-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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20 pages, 11414 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Repair Using Carbon Nanotube-Doped Peptide Hydrogel–Polycaprolactone Composite Scaffolds
by Jiayi Lv, Yilun Wu, Zhicheng Cao, Xu Liu, Yuzhi Sun, Po Zhang, Xin Zhang, Kexin Tang, Min Cheng, Qingqiang Yao and Yishen Zhu
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(8), 2145; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082145 - 15 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1631
Abstract
A carbon nanotube-doped octapeptide self-assembled hydrogel (FEK/C) and a hydrogel-based polycaprolactone PCL composite scaffold (FEK/C3-S) were developed for cartilage and subchondral bone repair. The composite scaffold demonstrated modulated microstructure, mechanical properties, and conductivity by adjusting CNT concentration. In vitro evaluations showed [...] Read more.
A carbon nanotube-doped octapeptide self-assembled hydrogel (FEK/C) and a hydrogel-based polycaprolactone PCL composite scaffold (FEK/C3-S) were developed for cartilage and subchondral bone repair. The composite scaffold demonstrated modulated microstructure, mechanical properties, and conductivity by adjusting CNT concentration. In vitro evaluations showed enhanced cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration of articular cartilage cells, osteoblasts, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The composite scaffold exhibited good biocompatibility, low haemolysis rate, and high protein absorption capacity. It also promoted osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, with increased mineralization, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) secretion. The composite scaffold facilitated accelerated cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration in a rabbit knee joint defect model. Histological analysis revealed improved cartilage tissue formation and increased subchondral bone density. Notably, the FEK/C3-S composite scaffold exhibited the most significant cartilage and subchondral bone formation. The FEK/C3-S composite scaffold holds great promise for cartilage and subchondral bone repair. It offers enhanced mechanical support, conductivity, and bioactivity, leading to improved tissue regeneration. These findings contribute to the advancement of regenerative strategies for challenging musculoskeletal tissue defects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Peptide-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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22 pages, 9495 KiB  
Article
Human Salivary Histatin-1 Attenuates Osteoarthritis through Promoting M1/M2 Macrophage Transition
by Antong Wu, Janak Lal. Pathak, Xingyang Li, Wei Cao, Wenchao Zhong, Mingjing Zhu, Qiuyu Wu, Wanyi Chen, Qiao Han, Siqing Jiang, Yuzhuo Hei, Ziyi Zhang, Gang Wu and Qingbin Zhang
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041272 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1965
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammation-driven degenerative joint disease. Human salivary peptide histatin-1 (Hst1) shows pro-healing and immunomodulatory properties. but its role in OA treatment is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of Hst1 in the inflammation modulation-mediated attenuation of [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammation-driven degenerative joint disease. Human salivary peptide histatin-1 (Hst1) shows pro-healing and immunomodulatory properties. but its role in OA treatment is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of Hst1 in the inflammation modulation-mediated attenuation of bone and cartilage damage in OA. Hst1 was intra-articularly injected into a rat knee joint in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA model. Micro-CT, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses showed that Hst1 significantly attenuates cartilage and bone deconstruction as well as macrophage infiltration. In the lipopolysaccharide-induced air pouch model, Hst1 significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry (FCM), metabolic energy analysis, and high-throughput gene sequencing showed that Hst1 significantly triggers M1-to-M2 macrophage phenotype switching, during which it significantly downregulated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways. Furthermore, cell migration assay, Alcian blue, Safranin O staining, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and FCM showed that Hst1 not only attenuates M1-macrophage-CM-induced apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase expression in chondrogenic cells, but it also restores their metabolic activity, migration, and chondrogenic differentiation. These findings show the promising potential of Hst1 in treating OA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Peptide-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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30 pages, 3004 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances of Cell-Penetrating Peptides and Their Application as Vectors for Delivery of Peptide and Protein-Based Cargo Molecules
by Huifeng Zhang, Yanfei Zhang, Chuang Zhang, Huan Yu, Yinghui Ma, Zhengqiang Li and Nianqiu Shi
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(8), 2093; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082093 - 7 Aug 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3454
Abstract
Peptides and proteins, two important classes of biomacromolecules, play important roles in the biopharmaceuticals field. As compared with traditional drugs based on small molecules, peptide- and protein-based drugs offer several advantages, although most cannot traverse the cell membrane, a natural barrier that prevents [...] Read more.
Peptides and proteins, two important classes of biomacromolecules, play important roles in the biopharmaceuticals field. As compared with traditional drugs based on small molecules, peptide- and protein-based drugs offer several advantages, although most cannot traverse the cell membrane, a natural barrier that prevents biomacromolecules from directly entering cells. However, drug delivery via cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is increasingly replacing traditional approaches that mediate biomacromolecular cellular uptake, due to CPPs’ superior safety and efficiency as drug delivery vehicles. In this review, we describe the discovery of CPPs, recent developments in CPP design, and recent advances in CPP applications for enhanced cellular delivery of peptide- and protein-based drugs. First, we discuss the discovery of natural CPPs in snake, bee, and spider venom. Second, we describe several synthetic types of CPPs, such as cyclic CPPs, glycosylated CPPs, and D-form CPPs. Finally, we summarize and discuss cell membrane permeability characteristics and therapeutic applications of different CPPs when used as vehicles to deliver peptides and proteins to cells, as assessed using various preclinical disease models. Ultimately, this review provides an overview of recent advances in CPP development with relevance to applications related to the therapeutic delivery of biomacromolecular drugs to alleviate diverse diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Peptide-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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