Koss, K.M.; Unsworth, L.D. Towards Developing Bioresponsive, Self-Assembled Peptide Materials: Dynamic Morphology and Fractal Nature of Nanostructured Matrices. Materials2018, 11, 1539.
Koss, K.M.; Unsworth, L.D. Towards Developing Bioresponsive, Self-Assembled Peptide Materials: Dynamic Morphology and Fractal Nature of Nanostructured Matrices. Materials 2018, 11, 1539.
Koss, K.M.; Unsworth, L.D. Towards Developing Bioresponsive, Self-Assembled Peptide Materials: Dynamic Morphology and Fractal Nature of Nanostructured Matrices. Materials2018, 11, 1539.
Koss, K.M.; Unsworth, L.D. Towards Developing Bioresponsive, Self-Assembled Peptide Materials: Dynamic Morphology and Fractal Nature of Nanostructured Matrices. Materials 2018, 11, 1539.
Abstract
(RADA)4 nanoscaffolds are excellent candidates for use as peptide delivery vehicles: they are relatively easy to synthesize with custom bio-functionality, and assemble in situ to allow a focal point of release. This enables (RADA)4 to be utilized in multiple release strategies by embedding a variety of bioactive molecules in an all-in-one ‘construct’. One novel strategy focuses on the local, on-demand release of peptides triggered via proteolysis of tethered peptide sequences. However, the spatial-temporal morphology of self-assembling nanoscaffolds may greatly influence the ability for enzymes to both diffuse into as well as actively cleave substrates. Fine structure and its impact on overall affect on peptide release is poorly understood. In addition, fractal networks observed in nanoscaffolds are linked to the fractal nature of diffusion in these systems. Therefore, matrix morphology and fractal dimension of virgin (RADA)4 and mixtures of (RADA)4 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) cleavable substrate modified (RADA)4 were characterized over time. Sites of high (GPQG+IASQ, CP1) and low (GPQG+PAGQ, CP2) cleavage activity were chosen. Fine structure was visualized using established according to established methods. After 2 hrs of incubation, nanofiber networks showed an established fractal nature, however nanofibers continued to bundle in all cases as incubation times increased. It was observed that despite extensive nanofiber bundling after 24 hrs of incubation time, the CP1 and CP2 nanoscaffolds were susceptible to MMP-2 cleavage. The properties of these engineered nanoscaffolds characterized herein illustrate that they are an excellent candidate as an enzymatically initiated peptide delivery platform.
Biology and Life Sciences, Biology and Biotechnology
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