Enhancing the Inhibition of Corneal Neovascularization Efficacy by Self-Assembled into Supramolecular Hydrogel of Anti-Angiogenic Peptide

Abstract

Guojuan Pu,1,2 Zhen Liang,1,2 Jieran Shi,2 Yuan Tao,1,2 Ping Lu,1,2 Huiling Qing,1,2 Junjie Zhang1,2 1Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, People’s Republic of China; 2People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Junjie Zhang, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, and People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Number 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is a common eye disease that leads to blindness. New treatment strategies are urgently needed due to the limitations of current treatment methods.Methods: We report the synthesis of peptide Nap-FFEEPCAIWF (Comp.3) via chemical conjugation of Nap-FFEE (Comp.2) to antiangiogenic peptide PCAIWF (Comp.1). Comp.3 self-assembled into a hydrogel (gel of 3) composed of nanofibers, which enhanced the antiangiogenic function of the epitope.Results: We developed a novel peptide with an amphiphilic framework, Comp.3, which could self-assemble into a supramolecular hydrogel with a well-ordered nanofiber structure. The nanofibers exhibited good biocompatibility with corneal epithelial cells, presenting a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of free peptide–based drugs in the treatment of ocular vascular diseases, such as CNV and other angiogenesis-related diseases.Conclusion: Nap-FFEEPCAIWF nanofibers provide an alternative approach to enhancing the therapeutic efficiency of free peptide–based drugs against ocular vascular diseases. Keywords: antiangiogenic peptide, self-assembled, hydrogel, nanofiber, corneal neovascularization

Keywords

• antiangiogenic peptide
• self-assembled
• hydrogel
• nanofiber
• corneal neovascularization