Pathological environment directed in situ peptidic supramolecular assemblies for nanomedicines

Biomed Mater. 2021 Feb 25;16(2):022011. doi: 10.1088/1748-605X/abc2e9.

Abstract

Peptidic self-assembly provides a powerful method to build biomedical materials with integrated functions. In particular, pathological environment instructed peptidic supramolecular have gained great progress in treating various diseases. Typically, certain pathology related factors convert hydrophilic precursors to corresponding more hydrophobic motifs to assemble into supramolecular structures. Herein, we would like to review the recent progress of nanomedicines based on the development of instructed self-assembly against several specific disease models. Firstly we introduce the cancer instructed self-assembly. These assemblies have exhibited great inhibition efficacy, as well as enhanced imaging contrast, against cancer models both in vitro and in vivo. Then we discuss the infection instructed peptidic self-assembly. A number of different molecular designs have demonstrated the potential antibacterial application with satisfied efficiency for peptidic supramolecular assemblies. Further, we discuss the application of instructed peptidic self-assembly for other diseases including neurodegenerative disease and vaccine. The assemblies have succeeded in down-regulating abnormal Aβ aggregates and immunotherapy. In summary, the self-assembly precursors are typical two-component molecules with (1) a self-assembling motif and (2) a cleavable trigger responsive to the pathological environment. Upon cleavage, the self-assembly occurs selectively in pathological loci whose targeting capability is independent from active targeting. Bearing the novel targeting regime, we envision that the pathological conditions instructed peptidic self-assembly will lead a paradigm shift on biomedical materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Glutathione / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrolases / chemistry
  • Immunotherapy / instrumentation
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Nanomedicine / methods*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / therapy
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Vaccines

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Peptides
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Vaccines
  • Hydrolases
  • Glutathione