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Release systems based on self-assembling RADA16-I hydrogels with a signal sequence which improves wound healing
Maria Dzierżyńska1, Justyna Sawicka1, Milena Deptuła2
1Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Scientific Reports
|April 18, 2023
Summary
New peptide biomaterials enhance skin regeneration by acting as scaffolds and reservoirs for active compounds, accelerating scarless wound healing without cytotoxicity. These advanced materials show improved cell growth and proliferation for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Self-assembling peptides serve as scaffolds for skin cells and reservoirs for active compounds, promoting scarless wound healing.
- Repeated administration of healing-accelerating peptides presents a challenge in wound care.
- Development of novel peptide biomaterials is crucial for advanced wound healing strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize novel peptide biomaterials for enhanced skin regeneration and wound healing.
- To functionalize the RADA16-I hydrogel with an elastase-cleavable sequence and biologically active peptide motifs.
- To assess the structural, rheological, stability, and bioactivity properties of the new peptide hybrids.
Main Methods:
- Structural analysis using circular dichroism, thioflavin T assay, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.
- Rheological property assessment, stability testing in water and plasma, and enzyme digestion susceptibility.
- Cytotoxicity evaluation using XTT and LDH assays on fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and cell viability assessment on human dermal fibroblasts.
- In vivo wound healing assessment in a mouse model using topical delivery and histological analysis.
Main Results:
- The designed peptide hybrids exhibited physicochemical properties similar to the original RADA16-I hydrogel.
- The active peptide motifs were released upon elastase treatment, indicating controlled bioactivity.
- Hybrid peptides demonstrated no cytotoxicity, promoting better fibroblast growth and proliferation compared to RADA16-I alone.
- Topical application of RADA-GHK and RADA-KGHK significantly improved wound healing in a mouse model.
Conclusions:
- The developed peptide biomaterials are non-cytotoxic and possess enhanced bioactivity for wound healing.
- These novel peptide hybrids maintain the gelling properties of RADA16-I while offering controlled release of active motifs.
- Engineered peptides show significant promise as scaffolds for wound healing and tissue engineering, warranting further investigation.
