Development of bioactive peptide matrices: from molecular structure to biomedical applications

• Grant number: 21/10092-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: February 21, 2022
• End date: February 20, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Emerson Rodrigo da Silva
• Grantee: Lucas Rodrigues de Mello
• Supervisor: Ian William Hamley
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Reading, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/19719-1 - Bioactive peptide matrices: from molecular structure to biomedical applications, BP.DR

Abstract

This Project aims to produce and characterize nanostructured scaffolds based on the self-assembly of peptides belonging to three major classes of bioactive compounds: cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), constituents of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and anti-inflammatory peptides (AIPs). The supramolecular architectures investigated here are original, and their bioactive characteristics open perspectives for developing unprecedented biomedical materials. Our quest will be focused on understanding the self-assembly pathway of these matrices, their supramolecular properties, and their cell responses in vitro. The CPPs will be either derived from viral proteomes or related to the family of Transportan peptides, whereas the ECM constituents will be inspired by elastin-like sequences containing the RGD motif. The AIPs will be based on tetrapeptides derived from the thymosin-b4 protein, a major cellular constituent with a key role in tissue regeneration. A set of cutting-edge structural techniques involving advanced spectroscopic methods, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and SANS) will be used to provide detailed information on the supramolecular organization of these systems. In addition to these advanced structural analyzes, cell assays will be conducted to determine if bioactivity displayed by the molecular building blocks is affected upon organization into superstructures. In the end, we expect to establish structure-activity relationships and contribute to optimizing the formulation of biomedical materials based on these bioactive molecules. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LOURENCO, THIAGO C.; DE MELLO, LUCAS R.; ICIMOTO, MARCELO Y.; BICEV, RENATA N.; HAMLEY, IAN W.; CASTELLETTO, VALERIA; NAKAIE, CLOVIS R.; DA SILVA, EMERSON R.. DNA-templated self-assembly of bradykinin into bioactive nanofibrils. SOFT MATTER, v. 19, n. 26, p. 11-pg., 2023-06-12. (21/04885-3, 22/03056-6, 19/19719-1, 21/10092-6)

DE MELLO, LUCAS R.; CARRASCOSA, VINICIUS; REBELATO, EDUARDO; JULIANO, MARIA A.; HAMLEY, IAN W.; CASTELLETTO, VALERIA; VASSILIADES, SANDRA V.; ALVES, WENDEL A.; NAKAIE, CLOVIS R.; DA SILVA, EMERSON R.. Nanostructure Formation and Cell Spheroid Morphogenesis of a Peptide Supramolecular Hydrogel. Langmuir, v. 38, n. 11, p. 12-pg., 2022-03-22. (18/23269-9, 19/19719-1, 17/02317-2, 21/10092-6, 14/50867-3)

ROSA, ELISABETTA; DE MELLO, LUCAS; CASTELLETTO, VALERIA; DALLAS, MARK L.; ACCARDO, ANTONELLA; SEITSONEN, JANI; HAMLEY, IAN W.. Cell Adhesion Motif-Functionalized Lipopeptides: Nanostructure and Selective Myoblast Cytocompatibility. Biomacromolecules, v. N/A, p. 12-pg., 2022-12-15. (19/20907-7, 21/10092-6, 19/19719-1)

ROSA, ELISABETTA; DIAFERIA, CARLO; DE MELLO, LUCAS; SEITSONEN, JANI; HAMLEY, IAN W.; ACCARDO, ANTONELLA. Self-assembled aggregates based on cationic amphiphilic peptides: structural insight. SOFT MATTER, v. 19, n. 25, p. 11-pg., 2023-05-23. (19/19719-1, 19/20907-7, 21/10092-6)