Targeting and mimicking collagens via triple helical peptide assembly

Abstract

As the major structural component of the extracellular matrix, collagen plays a crucial role in tissue development and regeneration. Since structural and metabolic abnormalities of collagen are associated with numerous debilitating diseases and pathologic conditions, the ability to target collagens of diseased tissues could lead to new diagnostics and therapeutics. Collagen is also a natural biomaterial widely used in drug delivery and tissue engineering, and construction of synthetic collagen-like materials is gaining interests in the biomaterials community. The unique triple helical structure of collagen has been explored for targeting collagen strands, and for engineering collagen-like functional assemblies and conjugates. This review focuses on the forefront of research activities in the use of the collagen mimetic peptide for both targeting and mimicking collagens via its triple helix mediated strand hybridization and higher order assembly.

Targeting collagen for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic delivery

“…Recently, researchers have discovered that collagen hybridizing peptide (CHP), also known as collagen mimetic peptides (CMP) can specifically target denatured collagen strands. CHP can recognize and hybridize with dn-collagen by re-forming the collagen triple helix [82]. Targeting dn-collagen is still a relatively new field, but it holds significant potential in advancing therapeutics and diagnostics for numerous human diseases (Table 2).…”

“…There are also methods based on fluorescence measurements that employ FRET triple helical peptide (fTHP), and gelatin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or 2-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-3(2H)-furanone (MDPF), as well as colorimetric assay using horseradish peroxidase and biotinylated gelatin [90, 91]. Recently, our research group discovered that the dn-collagen strands can form triple helices with collagen mimetic peptides (CMP) [82]. …”

Self-assembled peptide nanomaterials for biomedical applications: promises and pitfalls

“…58,68,69 Different from micelles, nanofibers have a precise geometry that retains signals over long distances on the cell surface to benefit many applications in medicine that require directional growth, such as spinal cord regeneration, vessel growth, and cartilage and bone repair. 11,29,35,70,71 Moreover, several types of peptides could form a rigid network or filaments with good mechanical properties to serve as substrates or 3D scaffolds to support the growth, proliferation, differentiation, and function of cells.…”

Conducting polymer nanoparticles decorated with collagen mimetic peptides for collagen targeting

“…Collagen is the most abundant protein in the ECM, playing a key role in the pathology of a variety of diseases and disorders, such as arthritis, fibrosis, and cancer. 12 …”

“…The targeting mechanism is analogous to DNA fragments binding to complementary DNA strands. 12-16 As only single-strand CMPs are able to hybridize with collagen chains but CMPs self-assemble into homotrimers during storage at low temperatures, monomeric CMPs have to be generated by heating the trimeric peptide above its melting temperature just prior to application to collagen substrates. 17-19 Strategies to circumvent self-trimerization have been examined, including installation of a light-cleavable protective group on the CMP.…”