Dynamic Nanopeptide Assemblies for Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Otitis media is a prevalent global condition requiring effective treatment strategies.
• Current treatment methods for otitis media often involve invasive procedures.
• Trans-tympanic membrane drug delivery is hindered by the tympanic membrane's thickness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a non-invasive drug delivery system for otitis media.
• To engineer a peptide-based hydrogel for enhanced trans-tympanic membrane drug delivery.
• To investigate the controlled release of ciprofloxacin from a peptide hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized peptides using automated solid-phase peptide synthesis.
• Formulated peptide amphiphile hydrogels incorporating ciprofloxacin.
• Assessed ciprofloxacin release kinetics over 48 hours.
• Evaluated cytotoxicity using epidermal keratinocyte viability assays.
• Utilized laser scanning confocal microscopy for material characterization.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a self-assembling peptide amphiphile hydrogel that transitions between fiber and micelle structures.
• The hydrogel functions as an effective cell-penetrating peptide (CPP).
• Achieved temporal control over the release of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.
• Confirmed the biocompatibility of the peptide amphiphile (PA) micelle and fiber.

Conclusions:

• Engineered peptide hydrogels show potential for trans-tympanic membrane drug delivery.
• The dynamic dissociation of the hydrogel into CPPs facilitates drug transport.
• This approach offers a promising non-invasive strategy for treating otitis media.