Fibril motion improves peptide signaling
Artificial scaffolds that bear the peptide-signaling sequences of proteins for tissue regeneration often have limited effectiveness. Álvarez
et al
. synthesized supramolecular peptide fibril scaffolds bearing two peptide sequences that promote nerve regeneration, one that reduces glial scarring and another that promotes blood vessel formation (see the Perspective by Wojciechowski and Stevens). In a mouse model of paralyzing human spinal cord injury, mutations in a tetrapeptide domain outside of the signaling regions improved recovery by promoting intense supramolecular motion within the fibrils. The mutation with the most intense dynamics resulted in corticospinal axon regrowth and myelination, functional revascularization, and motor neuron survival. —PDS
The extracellular matrix is a dynamic framework bearing
chemical
and morphological cues that support many cellular functions, and artificial
analogs with well-defined chemistry are of great interest for biomedical
applications. Herein, we describe hierarchical, extracellular-matrix-mimetic
microgels, termed “superbundles” (SBs) composed of peptide
amphiphile (PA) supramolecular nanofiber networks created using flow-focusing
microfluidic devices. We explore the effects of altered flow rate
ratio and PA concentration on the ability to create SBs and develop
design rules for producing SBs with both cationic and anionic PA nanofibers
and gelators. We demonstrate the morphological similarities of SBs
to decellularized extracellular matrices and showcase their ability
to encapsulate and retain proteinaceous cargos with a wide variety
of isoelectric points. Finally, we demonstrate that the novel SB morphology
does not affect the well-established biocompatibility of PA gels.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.