Peptide Hydrogels—A Tissue Engineering Strategy for the Prevention of Oesophageal Strictures

Abstract

Endoscopic treatment of Barrett's oesophagus often leads to further damage of healthy tissue causing fibrotic tissue formation termed as strictures. This study shows that synthetic, self-assembling peptide hydrogels (PeptiGelDesign) support the activity and function of primary oesophageal cells, leading to epithelialization and stratification during in vitro 3D co-culture. Following buffering in culture media, rat oesophageal stromal fibroblasts (rOSFs) are incorporated into a library of peptide hydrogels, whereas mouse oesophageal epithelial cells (mOECs) are seeded on the surface. Optimal hydrogels (PGD-AlphaProC and PGD-CGD2) support mOEC viability (>95%), typical cell morphology (cobblestone-like), and slower migration over a shorter distance compared to a collagen control, at 48 h. Positive expression of typical epithelial markers (ZO-1 and cytokeratins) is detected using immunocytochemistry at day 3 in culture. Furthermore, optimal hydrogels are identified which support rOSF viability (>95%) with homogeneous distribution when incorporated into the hydrogels and also promote the secretion of collagen type I detected using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), at day 7. A 3D co-culture model using optimal hydrogels for both cell types supports a stratified epithelial layer (expressing involucrin and AE1/AE3 markers). Findings from this study could lead to the use of peptide hydrogels as a minimally invasive endoscopic therapy to manage oesophageal strictures.

Graphene oxide containing self-assembling peptide hybrid hydrogels as a potential 3D injectable cell delivery platform for intervertebral disc repair applications

“…One of the most popular designs was devised by Zhang and co-workers and is based on the self-assembling of short β-sheet forming peptides (typically 8–20 amino acids long with alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues) into extended cross-β-sheet fibres that entangle/associate to form 3 dimensional fibrillar networks swollen by water i.e: hydrogels [22] , [23] . This family of hydrogels have been shown to be suitable for the culture of a several cell types [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , including NP cells [28] . One recent approach developed to tailor the properties and functionality of peptide based hydrogels has been the use of nanofillers, in particular carbon based nanofillers [29] .…”

Multifunctional Hydrophobized Microparticles for Accelerated Wound Healing after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

“…Current standard treatments after ESD including endoscopic balloon dilation, stent implantation, and steroid therapy present potential risks for additional symptoms such as perforation . Wound dressing materials for the gastrointestinal tract, including polymeric meshes, hydrogels, and decellularized constructs, have emerged to protect the submucosa and muscularis propria from endoluminal factors and infection after ESD. However, conventional wound dressings used for ESD such as polyglycolic acid meshes may lead to potential complications such as detachment even with the use of suture or fibrin glue, chronic inflammation during degradation, and difficulties in the delivery processes inside the body.…”

RNA extraction from self-assembling peptide hydrogels to allow qPCR analysis of encapsulated cells

“…These peptide hydrogels were selected because they offer a range of mechanical properties and relative net positive charges at neutral pH which we have shown recently can affect cell behaviour. [ 25 ] This set of hydrogels allowed us to study the effect of electrostatic interactions between RNA and self-assembling peptides and/or peptide fibres on the RNA extraction process. Two extraction kits were used: one solution-based, TRI Reagent ® (Sigma-Aldrich); and one column-based, RNeasy Mini Kit ® (Qiagen).…”