Controlled release of BSA-linked cisplatin through a PepGel self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffold

Previously, it has been reported that a novel PepGel (h9e peptide) can be triggered into a solid physical hydrogel by the addition of selected ions and proteins for various biomedical applications. Moreover, PepGel displays shear-thinning and repeatedly reversible sol-gel transfer properties that enable it to be easily transferred via an injector. In this study, PepGel is proposed as a carrier for controlled releases of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-bound or -linked drugs. BSA-linked cisplatin (BSA-CP) is used as a model drug in this study and plays two roles: as a trigger of hydrogel and as a target drug for controlled release. Results of fluorescence instrument show that PepGel significantly quenches the fluorescence of Trp in the hydrophobic subdomain of BSA, indicating a strong interaction. Images of TEM and fluorescence confocal microscopy indicate that BSA-CP is dispersed in the PepGel fibers and at the same time enhances the fiber aggregation. Through UV instrument, it is found that PepGel can effectively inhibit the diffusion of BSA-CP even at concentrations below 0.3 wt% and that the rate of BSA-CP release could be controlled by adjusting the concentration of PepGel. Cell culture studies on the performance of the PepGel are carried out using HeLa cells, and the cell viability is observed to be consistent with the data of drug release. The results showed that PepGel nanofiber scaffolds could potentially be used as an effective carrier for controlled releases of BSA-bound or -linked drugs.