Micropatterned surfaces modified with select peptides promote exclusive interactions with osteoblasts

Microcontact printing techniques were used to pattern circles (diameters 10. 50, 100, and 200 microm) of N1[3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl]diethylenetriamine (DETA) surrounded by octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) borders on borosilicate glass, a model substrate. The DETA regions were further modified by immobilization of either the cell-adhesive peptides Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid-Serine (RGDS) and Lysine-Arginine-Serine-Arginine (KRSR) or the non-adhesive peptides Arginine-Aspartic Acid-Glycine-Serine (RDGS) and Lysine-Serine-Serine-Arginine (KSSR). After four hours under standard cell culture conditions but in the absence of serum, adhesion of either osteoblasts or fibroblasts on surfaces patterned with the non-adhesive peptides RDGS and KSSR was random and low. In contrast, both osteoblasts and fibroblasts adhered and formed clusters onto circles modified with the adhesive peptide RGDS, whereas only osteoblasts adhered and formed clusters onto the circles modified with KRSR, a peptide that selectively promotes adhesion of osteoblasts. These results provide evidence that patterning of select peptides can direct adhesion of specific cell lines exclusively to predetermined regions on material surfaces.     

Probing the accessibility of peptide in an MHC class II protein--foreign peptide complex

The peptide antigen OVA323-339 forms a highly stable complex with the I-Ad molecule which when reconstituted into lipid bilayers can stimulate the release of interleukin 2 (IL-2) by specific T cell hybrids. To probe the accessibility of various regions of the peptide in the I-Ad binding site, six analogues of OVA323-339, each with a unique site for fluorescein labeling, were synthesized. OVA peptides modified with fluorescein at the N terminus position 323 and at the epsilon-amino group of lysines at positions 328, 329, 330, 331 and 336 all bind to the I-Ad molecule. These substitutions include four amino acids previously identified as representing a structural motif common to MHC binding peptides. The fluorescein hapten on each analogue was fully accessible to quenching by anti-fluorescein antibody after binding of the peptide to the MHC class II protein, indicating that these regions of the peptide are exposed in the MHC binding site. These data suggest that the MHC class II peptide binding site is remarkably permissive with respect to tolerating bulky substitutions in the peptide antigen. The data further suggest that either the central region (328-331) of the peptide OVA323-339 is oriented in MHC class II binding site such that all of its side chains are exposed, or that the binding of the peptide is conformationally flexible allowing reorientation of the bulky substituent to the outside of the binding site in each case studied.     

Mechanisms underlying the attachment and spreading of human osteoblasts: From transient interactions to focal adhesions on vitronectin-grafted bioactive surfaces

The features of implant devices and the reactions of bone-derived cells to foreign surfaces determine implant success during osseointegration. In an attempt to better understand the mechanisms underlying osteoblasts attachment and spreading, in this study adhesive peptides containing the fibronectin sequence motif for integrin binding (Arg-Gly-Asp, RGD) or mapping the human vitronectin protein (HVP) were grafted on glass and titanium surfaces with or without chemically induced controlled immobilization. As shown by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, human osteoblasts develop adhesion patches only on specifically immobilized peptides. Indeed, cells quickly develop focal adhesions on RGD-grafted surfaces, while HVP peptide promotes filopodia, structures involved in cellular spreading. As indicated by immunocytochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, focal adhesions kinase activation is delayed on HVP peptides with respect to RGD while an osteogenic phenotypic response appears within 24 h on osteoblasts cultured on both peptides. Cellular pathways underlying osteoblasts attachment are, however, different. As demonstrated by adhesion blocking assays, integrins are mainly involved in osteoblast adhesion to RGD peptide, while HVP selects osteoblasts for attachment through proteoglycan-mediated interactions. Thus an interfacial layer of an endosseous device grafted with specifically immobilized HVP peptide not only selects the attachment and supports differentiation of osteoblasts but also promotes cellular migration.     

Exploiting bacterial peptide display technology to engineer biomaterials for neural stem cell culture

Stem cells are often cultured on substrates that present extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; however, the heterogeneous and poorly defined nature of ECM proteins presents challenges both for basic biological investigation of cell-matrix investigations and translational applications of stem cells. Therefore, fully synthetic, defined materials conjugated with bioactive ligands, such as adhesive peptides, are preferable for stem cell biology and engineering. However, identifying novel ligands that engage cellular receptors can be challenging, and we have thus developed a high throughput approach to identify new adhesive ligands. We selected an unbiased bacterial peptide display library for the ability to bind adult neural stem cells (NSCs), and 44 bacterial clones expressing peptides were identified and found to bind to NSCs with high avidity. Of these clones, four contained RGD motifs commonly found in integrin binding domains, and three exhibited homology to ECM proteins. Three peptide clones were chosen for further analysis, and their synthetic analogs were adsorbed on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) or grafted onto an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) for cell culture. These three peptides were found to support neural stem cell self-renewal in defined medium as well as multi-lineage differentiation. Therefore, bacterial peptide display offers unique advantages to isolate bioactive peptides from large, unbiased libraries for applications in biomaterials engineering.     

Selection of the specific coalescent peptide of human CD59 by phage display techniques

To screen and identify the short peptides with specific binding activity to human CDS9 and to design the short-peptide clamp against tumor escape, the phage display peptide library containing 12 peptides was used to select the highly expressed specific coalescent peptide of human CD59 in CHO cells. Positive phage clones obtained after 5 rounds of biopanning and detected with ELISA were obtained , in which 8 of them with high binding activity to human CD59 were sequenced. The 3 sequences thus obtained showed high homology with each and certain homology with sequence with human CD2 (PubMed 339HGAAENSISPSS), and all contained primary structure HXAXXXXXXPXX, of which this sequence may be the mimic conformational epitope binding to human CD59. These results in the present study may be helpful to design the short-peptide clamp against the active sites of CD59 on tumor escape.     

Photoencapsulation of osteoblasts in injectable RGD-modified PEG hydrogels for bone tissue engineering

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels were investigated as encapsulation matrices for osteoblasts to assess their applicability in promoting bone tissue engineering. Non-adhesive hydrogels were modified with adhesive Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide sequences to facilitate the adhesion, spreading, and, consequently, cytoskeletal organization of rat calvarial osteoblasts. When attached to hydrogel surfaces, the density and area of osteoblasts attached were dramatically different between modified and unmodified hydrogels. A concentration dependence of RGD groups was observed, with increased osteoblast attachment and spreading with higher RGD concentrations, and cytoskeleton organization was seen with only the highest peptide density. A majority of the osteoblasts survived the photoencapsulation process when gels were formed with 10% macromer, but a decrease in osteoblast viability of approximately 25% and 38% was seen after 1 day of in vitro culture when the macromer concentration was increased to 20 and 30wt%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in cell viability when peptides were added to the network. Finally, mineral deposits were seen in all hydrogels after 4 weeks of in vitro culture, but a significant increase in mineralization was observed upon introduction of adhesive peptides throughout the network.     

Release rate controls biological activity of nerve growth factor released from fibrin matrices containing affinity-based delivery systems

Previously, combinatorial techniques were used to identify peptide sequences exhibiting high, medium, and low affinity for heparin. Bidomain peptides were synthesized containing a transglutaminase sequence for one domain and one of the heparin-affinity sequences for the other domain. A delivery system was made consisting of bi-domain peptides, heparin, and nerve growth factor (NGF), which binds to heparin with moderate affinity. The goal of this research was to determine whether peptide affinity for heparin and the molar ratio of peptide to heparin affected the release rate of NGF from the delivery system and the biological activity of NGF released. This study also explored whether peptide affinity modulated biological activity independent of release rate. Mathematically modeling the delivery system confirmed that release could be controlled by both peptide affinity and molar ratio of peptide to heparin. Experimentally, the rate of NGF release from the delivery system was found to be affected by peptide affinity and molar ratio. The delivery system presented biologically active NGF as assayed by embryonic chick dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) neurite extension, where extension was similar to or increased for DRGs grown in fibrin matrices containing the delivery system compared to DRGs grown with NGF in the culture media. Furthermore, by modulating the molar ratio of peptide to heparin in the delivery system, similar release rates of NGF were obtained for different affinity peptides and these conditions promoted similar levels of neurite extension, demonstrating that release rate appears to be the main mechanism controlling the biological activity of released NGF.     

Characterization of the surface immobilized synthetic heparin binding domain derived from human fibroblast growth factor-2 and its effect on osteoblast differentiation

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 regulates a variety of cellular functions, such as proliferation and differentiation, by binding to cell surface FGF receptors (FGFRs) in the presence of heparin proteoglycans. FGF-2 is known as a heparin-binding growth factor, but the localization of the heparin binding site has not been fully investigated until now. We used two potential heparin binding domains of FGF-2, the residues 105-111 (F105, YKRSRYT) and 119-135 (F119, KRTGQYKLGSKTGPGQK). Peptides could be stably immobilized onto the surface of tissue culture plates. Using solid phase binding assays, we demonstrated that both peptides had higher binding affinity toward heparin compared with nonbinding control sequence. The biological significance of these sites was tested by cell attachment and osteoblast differentiation studies. Cell attachment to the peptides F105 and F119 increased in a dose-dependent manner. Heparin and heparinase treatments decreased cell adhesion to both F105 and F119. This demonstrates that both F105 and F119 interact with cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, suggesting that FGF-2 has two heparin binding sites. In addition, osteoblast differentiation, confirmed by ALPase activity and mineralization, was increased by surface immobilized peptide F105 and F119. Taken together, these heparin binding peptides could be applied as biological agents enhancing osteoblast differentiation as well as surface modification tools in the tissue regeneration area, especially for bone regeneration.     

成骨生长肽促进钛表面大鼠成骨细胞的增殖分化

背景：成骨生长肽具有促进多种基质细胞增殖活性,成骨活性,免疫原性低,自身调节极其敏感,提取制作工艺简单等众多优点。 目的：体外观察成骨生长肽对大鼠颅盖骨来源成骨细胞在钛金属表面增殖分化的影响。 方法：将体外培养的新生SD大鼠颅盖骨成骨细胞以5×10⁷ L^-1细胞浓度接种于6孔板中的纯钛试件表面,分别加入0(空白对照),10^-10,10^-9,10^-8,10^-7 mol/L的成骨生长肽,干预1,3,5,7,9 d后应用MTT法检测纯钛试件表面成骨细胞的增殖活性,应用酶联免疫法检测成骨细胞内碱性磷酸酶活性。 结果与结论：与空白对照组比较,各浓度成骨生长肽组纯钛试件表面成骨细胞增殖活跃(P < 0.05),且最佳作用浓度为10^-9 mol/L(P < 0.05);各浓度成骨生长肽组细胞内碱性磷酸酶活性增强(P < 0.05),且最佳作用浓度为10^-8 mol/L (P < 0.05)。表明成骨生长肽可促进钛片表面成骨细胞的增殖活性,增强细胞内碱性磷酸酶活性。     

Characterization of the anti‐HBV activity of HLP1–23, a human lactoferrin‐derived peptide

Lactoferrin (Lf) was shown to exhibit its antiviral activity at an early phase of viral infection and a mechanism whereby the protein interacts with host cell surface molecules has been suggested. In this study, human Lf (HLf) and seven HLf‐derived synthetic peptides (HLP) corresponding to the N‐terminal domain of the native protein (1–47 amino acids sequence) were assayed for their capacity to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and replication using the HepaRG and HepG2.2.2.15 cell lines. Of the series tested, four peptides showed 40–75% inhibition of HBV infection in HepaRG cells, HLP_1–23, containing the GRRRR cationic cluster, being the most potent. Interestingly, this cluster is one of the two glycosaminoglycan binding sites of the native HLf involved in its antiviral activity; however, the mechanism of the HLP_1–23 action was different from that of the full‐length protein, the peptide inhibiting HBV infection when pre‐incubated with the virus, while no effect was observed on the target cells. It is suggested that the cationic cluster is sufficient for the peptide to interact stably with negatively charged residues on the virion envelope, while the absence of the second glycosaminoglycan binding site prevents its efficient attachment to the cells. In conclusion, this peptide may constitute a non‐toxic approach for potential clinical applications in inhibiting HBV entry by neutralizing the viral particles. J. Med. Virol. 85:780–788, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Identification and analysis of cytochrome P450IID6 antigenic sites recognized by anti-liver-kidney microsome type-1 antibodies (LKM1)

Anti-liver-kidney microsome type-1 antibodies (LKM1), present in sera from a group of patients with autoimmune hepatitis, are directed against P450IID6. Previous work, using cDNA constructions spanning most of the P450IID6 protein defined the main immunogenic site between the amino acids (aa), 254–271 and predicted the presence of other putative immunogenic sites in the molecule. Fusion proteins from new cDNA constructions, spanning so-far-untested regions between aa 1–125 and 431–522, were not recognized by LKM1-positive sera. Synthetic peptides, representing sequences from putative immunogenic regions or previously untested regions, allowed a precise definition of four antigenic sites located between peptides 257–269, 321–351, 373–389 and 410–429, which were recognized, respectively, by 14, 8, 1 and 2 out of 15 LKM1-positive sera tested. The minimal sequence of the main antigenic site (peptide 257-269) recognized by the autoantibody was established to be WDPAQPPRD (peptide 262–270). In addition, deletion and replacement experiments showed that aa 263 (Asp) was essential for the binding of the autoantibody to peptide 262–270. Analysis of the second most frequently recognized peptide between aa 321–351, was performed using peptides 321–339 and 340–351 in competitive inhibition studies. Complete elimination of antibody binding to peptide 321–351 obtained by absorption of both shorter peptides indicated that peptide 321–351 is a discontinuous antigenic site. LKM1-positive sera reacting against peptide 321–351 recognized either both the shorter peptides or just one of them preferentially. Results of the present study suggest that the production of LKM1 antibodies is an antigen-driven, poly-or oligoclonal B cell response. The identification of antigenic sites will allow: (i) the development of specific diagnostic tests and (ii) further studies on the pathogenic value of LKM1 antibodies in autoimmune hepatitis.     

Human recombinant CD4 and CD4-derived synthetic peptides agglutinate immunoglobulin-coated latex particles. Evidence that residues 25–28 and 35–38 of human CD4 form two separate immunoglobulin binding sites

It has been shown previously that amino acid residues 21–49 of the first extracellular domain of human CD4 form the core of an immunoglobulin (Ig) binding site. Synthetic peptides of human CD4 that encompass this region also bind Ig and, with higher affinity, antigen/antibody complexes. Synthetic peptides also enhance binding of both monomeric and aggregated Ig to monocytic U937 cells and Staphylococcus aureus Protein A.To better characterize the nature of the Ig binding site on CD4, we tested the ability of human recombinant CD4 (rCD4) to agglutinate polystyrene particles coated with Ig. Evidence is presented that soluble rCD4 and CD4 peptide (p)21–49 were capable of specific agglutination of polystyrene particles coated with polyclonal Ig of either human or sheep origin. Agglutination could be blocked by soluble human polyclonal IgG or F(ab′)₂ fragments. Both heparin and sulfated dextrans also inhibit agglutination, suggesting that charged residues on rCD4 played an important role in agglutination mediated by rCD4 or CD4 peptide. Similarly, aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) also blocked agglutination of Ig-coated particles by rCD4. Agglutination mapping studies performed using truncated peptides revealed the existence of two discrete, closely related Ig binding sites (residues 25–28 and 35–38).     

Combination peptide immunotherapy based on T‐cell epitope mapping reduces allergen‐specific IgE and eosinophilia in allergic airway inflammation

Peptide immunotherapy using soluble peptides containing allergen‐derived immunodominant T‐cell epitopes holds therapeutic promise for allergic asthma. Previous studies in BALB/c mice using the immunodominant peptide epitope of chicken ovalbumin (p323–339) have been unable to demonstrate therapeutic effects in ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation. We have previously shown that intravenous application of p323–339 can effectively tolerise p323–339‐reactive T cells in a non‐allergic model in C57BL/6 mice. This study aimed to assess the effects of using p323–339 immunotherapy in a C57BL/6 model of ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation, identify any additional epitopes recognized by the ovalbumin‐responsive T‐cell repertoire in C57BL/6 mice and assess the effects of combination peptide immunotherapy in this model. Ovalbumin‐reactive T‐cell lines were generated from ovalbumin‐immunized C57BL/6 mice and proliferative responses to a panel of overlapping peptides covering the ovalbumin sequence were assessed. Soluble peptides (singly or combined) were administered intravenously to C57BL/6 mice before the induction of ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation. Peptide immunotherapy using the 323–339 peptide alone did not reduce the severity of allergic airway inflammation. An additional immunodominant T‐cell epitope in ovalbumin was identified within the 263–278 sequence. Combination peptide immunotherapy, using the 323–339 and 263–278 peptides together, reduced eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage and ovalbumin‐specific IgE, with apparent reductions in interleukin‐5 and interleukin‐13. Characterization of the T‐cell response to a model allergen has allowed the development of combination peptide immunotherapy with improved efficacy in allergic airway inflammation. This model holds important potential for future mechanistic studies using peptide immunotherapy in allergy.     

Novel osteoblast-adhesive peptides for dental/orthopedic biomaterials

Next generation dental/orthopedic biomaterials must be designed to enhance and support osteoblast adhesion. The osteoblasts use different ways to adhere, that is, integrin- and proteoglycan-mediated mechanisms. The present study reports on the synthesis and osteoblast-adhesive properties of peptides carrying RGD motifs and of sequences mapped on human vitronectin. Our data suggest that osteoblast adhesion on polystyrene plates modified with a linear peptide, in which the GRGDSP sequence is repeated four times, was significantly higher when compared to the adhesion obtained using branched peptides, interestingly containing the same motif. Osteoblast adhesion assays on acellular bone matrix using this active peptide gave very promising results. We also demonstrated that a novel peptide, carrying the X-B-B-B-X-B-B-X motif (where B is a basic amino acid and X is a nonbasic residue), promotes proteoglycan-mediated osteoblast adhesion more efficiently with respect to the KRSR sequence that was recently proposed as heparan-sulfate binding peptide.     

The identification of tyrosine as a common key residue in unrelated H-2Kd restricted antigenic peptides.

We have compared the activity of several Kd- or Ld-restricted antigenic peptides as competitors in a functional competition assay using cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones. All of four unrelated Kd-restricted peptides tested could compete with each other but not with the Ld-restricted peptide P91A-. 12-24 (P91A). Moreover, the P91A peptide failed to compete with the four Kd-restricted peptides. In contrast, another Ld-restricted peptide [mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) pp89 167-176] could clearly compete with both Kd- and Ld-restricted peptides. The comparison of a series of modified MCMV pp89 peptides suggested that distinct structural features allow the interaction of the peptide with the two different MHC class I molecules. We showed previously that the competitor activity of two different Kd-restricted antigenic peptides was reduced substantially upon Ala substitution of the single Tyr residues present in these peptides. We now show a similar effect for two additional Kd-restricted peptides. Our results thus suggest that Tyr may function as an 'anchor' residue for many antigenic peptides that bind to the Kd molecule. Molecular modeling of the presumed antigen-binding site of the Kd molecule revealed the presence of two deep cavities that may be involved in binding peptide amino acid side chains. A model illustrating one possible interaction of a Tyr-containing peptide with the Kd molecule is presented.     

The effect of peptide surface density on mineralization of a matrix deposited by osteogenic cells

The density of Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides covalently grafted to solid materials has been shown to affect adhesion, spreading, and focal contact formation. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ligand density on mineralization of the extracellular matrix deposited by osteoblasts. In particular, RGD-modified quartz surfaces with ligand densities varying over two orders (0.01-3.6 pmol/cm(2)) of magnitude were prepared to assess the long-term function of osteoblasts on peptide-derivatized surfaces. After 3 weeks in culture, surfaces modified with a 15 amino acid peptide (Ac-Cys-Gly-Gly-Asn-Gly-Glu-Pro-Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr-Tyr-Arg-Ala-Tyr-NH(2) ) at a density > or =0.62 pmol/cm(2) significantly (p<0.05) enhanced mineralization compared with a RGD surface density of 0.01 pmol/cm(2), RGE surfaces, or clean surfaces adsorbed with serum proteins. These results suggest that regulation of the surface density of adhesive ligands on biomaterial surfaces is a critical determinant in a strategy to alter the degree of extracellular matrix maturation in contact with solid surfaces (e.g., implants). Further studies are required to elucidate the intracellular signal transduction pathways that mediate long-term matrix mineralization through the initial engagement of these adhesive ligands.     

Identification of an antigenic epitope in Helicobacter pylori urease that induces neutralizing antibody production

We previously reported a mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb), termed L2, specific for Helicobacter pylori urease strongly inhibited its enzymatic activity. Here, to gain insight into how this antibody affects urease activity, the epitope that was recognized by the antibody was determined. By screening a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides covering the entire sequence of the two subunits (UreA and UreB), we identified a stretch of UreB-derived 19 amino acid (aa) residues (UB-33; aa 321 to 339, CHHLDKSIKEDVQFADSRI) that was specifically recognized by the L2 antibody. Further sequential amino acid deletion of the 19-mer peptide from either end allowed us to determine the minimal epitope as 8 amino acid residues (F8; SIKEDVQF) for L2 reactivity. This epitope appears to lie exactly on a short sequence which formed a flap over the active site of urease, suggesting that binding of the L2 antibody sterically inhibits access of urea, the substrate of urease. Finally, immunization of rabbits with either the 19-mer peptide or the 8-mer minimal epitope resulted in generation of antiurease antibodies that were capable of inhibiting the enzymatic activity. Since urease is critical for virulence of H. pylori, antigenic peptides that induce production of antibodies to inhibit its enzymatic activity may potentially be a useful tool as a vaccine for prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection.     

N-terminal positively charged amino acids, but not their exact position, are important for apicoplast transit peptide fidelity in Toxoplasma gondii

The non-photosynthetic plastid – or apicoplast – of Toxoplasma gondii and other apicomplexan parasites is an essential organelle and promising drug target. Most apicoplast proteins are encoded in the nucleus and targeted into the organelle through the apicoplast's four membranes courtesy of a bipartite N-terminal leader sequence comprising of an endomembrane signal peptide followed by a plastid transit peptide. Apicoplast transit peptides, like plant plastid transit peptides, have no primary consensus, are variable in length and may be distinguishable only by a relative depletion of negative charged residues and consequent enrichment in basic residues. In this study we examine the role of charged residues within an apicoplast transit peptide in T. gondii by point mutagenesis. We demonstrate that positive charged residues, combined with the absence of negatively charged amino acids, are essential for apicoplast transit peptide fidelity, as also observed in P. falciparum. Furthermore, we show that positive charge is more important at the transit peptide's N-terminus than its C-terminus, and that the nature of the positive residue and the exact position of the N-terminal positive charge are not important. These results suggest that a simple, rule-based prediction for T. gondii transit peptides, similar to that successfully implemented for P. falciparum should help to identify apicoplast proteins and facilitate the identification of drug targets in this important human pathogen.     

Reconstitution of laminin-111 biological activity using multiple peptide coupled to chitosan scaffolds

Laminin-111, a multifunctional matrix protein, has diverse biological functions. Previously, we have identified various biologically active sequences in laminin-111 by a systematic peptide screening. We also demonstrated that peptide-conjugated chitosan matrices enhance the biological functions of the active sequences and are useful as a scaffold. Here, we conjugated sixty biologically active laminin-111 peptides onto chitosan matrices. The twenty-nine peptide-chitosan matrices promoted various biological activities, including cell attachment, spreading, and neurite outgrowth. The biological activities of peptide-chitosan matrices depend on the peptide. These peptide-chitosan matrices are categorized into six groups depending on their biological activities. Next, we conjugated five active peptides, which showed strong cell attachment activity in the each group, onto a single chitosan matrix to mimic the multiple activities of laminin-111. The mixed peptides-chitosan matrix significantly promoted cell attachment and cell spreading over that observed with the individual peptides. We also demonstrated that a mixed peptides-chitosan matrix, using four neurite outgrowth-promoting peptides each from a different group, enhanced the activity. These data suggest that the mixed peptides synergistically induce laminin-like biological activities on a chitosan matrix. The active peptides-chitosan matrices described here have potential for use as biomaterial for tissue engineering and regeneration.     

Biomimetic peptides that engage specific integrin-dependent signaling pathways and bind to calcium phosphate surfaces

Many important matrix proteins involved in bone remodeling contain separate domains that orient the protein on hydroxyapatite and interact with target cell receptors, respectively. We have designed two synthetic peptides that mimic the dual activities of these large, complex proteins by binding to calcium phosphate minerals and by engaging integrin-dependent signaling pathways in osteoblasts. The addition of either PGRGDS from osteopontin or PDGEA from collagen type I to the HAP-binding domain of statherin (N15 domain) did not alter its alpha-helical structure or diminish its affinity for hydroxyapatite. Immobilized N15-PGRGDS bound MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts predominantly via the alpha v beta 3 integrin and induced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation at comparable levels to immobilized osteopontin. Immobilized N15-PDGEA bound MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts predominantly through the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin and induced similar levels of FAK phosphorylation. Although both peptides induced FAK phosphorylation with similar time courses, only the N15-PDGEA peptide induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, showing that these peptides are also capable of engaging integrin-specific signaling pathways. This peptide system can be used to study adhesion-dependent control of signaling in the context of the relevant biomineral surface and may also be useful in biomaterial and tissue engineering applications.