Molecules (May 2023)

Antibacterial and Cytocompatible pH-Responsive Peptide Hydrogel

  • Dona Imanga Upamadi Edirisinghe,
  • Areetha D’Souza,
  • Maryam Ramezani,
  • Robert J. Carroll,
  • Quenten Chicón,
  • Cheyene L. Muenzel,
  • Jonathan Soule,
  • Mary Beth Browning Monroe,
  • Alison E. Patteson,
  • Olga V. Makhlynets

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28114390
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 11
p. 4390

Abstract

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A short peptide, FHHF-11, was designed to change stiffness as a function of pH due to changing degree of protonation of histidines. As pH changes in the physiologically relevant range, G′ was measured at 0 Pa (pH 6) and 50,000 Pa (pH 8). This peptide-based hydrogel is antimicrobial and cytocompatible with skin cells (fibroblasts). It was demonstrated that the incorporation of unnatural AzAla tryptophan analog residue improves the antimicrobial properties of the hydrogel. The material developed can have a practical application and be a paradigm shift in the approach to wound treatment, and it will improve healing outcomes for millions of patients each year.

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