@phdthesis{Federico2011, author = {Federico, Stefania}, title = {Synthetic peptides derived from decorin as building blocks for biomaterials based on supramolecular interactions}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-59661}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2011}, abstract = {In this work, the development of a new molecular building block, based on synthetic peptides derived from decorin, is presented. These peptides represent a promising basis for the design of polymer-based biomaterials that mimic the ECM on a molecular level and exploit specific biological recognition for technical applications. Multiple sequence alignments of the internal repeats of decorin that formed the inner and outer surface of the arch-shaped protein were used to develop consensus sequences. These sequences contained conserved sequence motifs that are likely to be related to structural and functional features of the protein. Peptides representative for the consensus sequences were synthesized by microwave-assisted solid phase peptide synthesis and purified by RP-HPLC, with purities higher than 95 mol\%. After confirming the desired masses by MALDI-TOF-MS, the primary structure of each peptide was investigated by 1H and 2D NMR, from which a full assignment of the chemical shifts was obtained. The characterization of the peptides conformation in solution was performed by CD spectroscopy, which demonstrated that using TFE, the peptides from the outer surface of decorin show a high propensity to fold into helical structures as observed in the original protein. To the contrary, the peptides from the inner surface did not show propensity to form stable secondary structure. The investigation of the binding capability of the peptides to Collagen I was performed by surface plasmon resonance analyses, from which all but one of the peptides representing the inner surface of decorin showed binding affinity to collagen with values of dissociation constant between 2•10-7 M and 2.3•10-4 M. On the other hand, the peptides representative for the outer surface of decorin did not show any significant interaction to collagen. This information was then used to develop experimental demonstration for the binding capabilities of the peptides from the inner surface of decorin to collagen even when used in more complicated situations close to possible appications. With this purpose, the peptide (LRELHLNNN) which showed the highest binding affinity to collagen (2•10-7 M) was functionalized with an N-terminal triple bond in order to obtain a peptide dimer via copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction with 4,4'-diazidostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Rheological measurements showed that the presence of the peptide dimer was able to enhance the elastic modulus (G') of a collagen gel from ~ 600 Pa (collagen alone) to ~ 2700 Pa (collagen and peptide dimer). Moreover, it was shown that the mechanical properties of a collagen gel can be tailored by using different molar ratios of peptide dimer respect to collagen. The same peptide, functionalized with the triple bond, was used to obtain a peptide-dye conjugate by coupling it with N-(5'-azidopentanoyl)-5-aminofluorescein. An aqueous solution (5 vol\% methanol) of the peptide dye conjugate was injected into a collagen and a hyaluronic acid (HA) gel and images of fluorescence detection showed that the diffusion of the peptide was slower in the collagen gel compared to the HA gel. The third experimental demonstration was gained using the peptide (LSELRLHNN) which showed the lower binding affinity (2.3•10-4 M) to collagen. This peptide was grafted to hyaluronic acid via EDC-chemistry, with a degree of functionalization of 7 ± 2 mol\% as calculated by 1H-NMR. The grafting was further confirmed by FTIR and TGA measurements, which showed that the onset of decomposition for the HA-g-peptide decreased by 10 °C compared to the native HA. Rheological measurements showed that the elastic modulus of a system based on collagen and HA-g-peptide increased by almost two order of magnitude (G' = 200 Pa) compared to a system based on collagen and HA (G' = 0.9 Pa). Overall, this study showed that the synthetic peptides, which were identified from decorin, can be applied as potential building blocks for biomimetic materials that function via biological recognition.}, language = {en} } @article{FedericoPiercePilusoetal.2015, author = {Federico, Stefania and Pierce, Benjamin F. and Piluso, Susanna and Wischke, Christian and Lendlein, Andreas and Neffe, Axel T.}, title = {Design of Decorin-Based Peptides That Bind to CollagenI and their Potential as Adhesion Moieties in Biomaterials}, series = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, volume = {54}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, number = {37}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1433-7851}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201505227}, pages = {10980 -- 10984}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Mimicking the binding epitopes of protein-protein interactions by using small peptides is important for generating modular biomimetic systems. A strategy is described for the design of such bioactive peptides without accessible structural data for the targeted interaction, and the effect of incorporating such adhesion peptides in complex biomaterial systems is demonstrated. The highly repetitive structure of decorin was analyzed to identify peptides that are representative of the inner and outer surface, and it was shown that only peptides based on the inner surface of decorin bind to collagen. The peptide with the highest binding affinity for collagenI, LHERHLNNN, served to slow down the diffusion of a conjugated dye in a collagen gel, while its dimer could physically crosslink collagen, thereby enhancing the elastic modulus of the gel by one order of magnitude. These results show the potential of the identified peptides for the design of biomaterials for applications in regenerative medicine.}, language = {en} } @article{FedericoNoechelLoewenbergetal.2016, author = {Federico, Stefania and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and L{\"o}wenberg, Candy and Lendlein, Andreas and Neffe, Axel T.}, title = {Supramolecular hydrogel networks formed by molecular recognition of collagen and a peptide grafted to hyaluronic acid}, series = {Acta biomaterialia}, volume = {38}, journal = {Acta biomaterialia}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1742-7061}, doi = {10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.018}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a nano-structured, highly complex hydrogel, in which the macromolecules are organized primarily by non-covalent interactions. Here, in a biomimetic approach, the decorin-derived collagen-binding peptide LSELRLHNN was grafted to hyaluronic acid (HA) in order to enable the formation of a supramolecular hydrogel network together with collagen. The storage modulus of a mixture of collagen and HA was increased by more than one order of magnitude (G\&\#8242; = 157 Pa) in the presence of the HA-grafted peptide compared to a mixture of collagen and HA (G\&\#8242; = 6 Pa). The collagen fibril diameter was decreased, as quantified using electron microscopy, in the presence of the HA-grafted peptide. Here, the peptide mimicked the function of decorin by spatially organizing collagen. The advantage of this approach is that the non-covalent crosslinks between collagen molecules and the HA chains created by the peptide form a reversible and dynamic hydrogel, which could be employed for a diverse range of applications in regenerative medicine. Statement of Significance Biopolymers of the extracellular matrix (ECM) like collagen or hyaluronan are attractive starting materials for biomaterials. While in biomaterial science covalent crosslinking is often employed, in the native ECM, stabilization and macromolecular organization is primarily based on non-covalent interactions, which allows dynamic changes of the materials. Here, we show that collagen-binding peptides, derived from the small proteoglycan decorin, grafted to hyaluronic acid enable supramolecular stabilization of collagen hydrogels. These hydrogels have storage moduli more than one order of magnitude higher than mixtures of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, the peptide supported the structural organization of collagen. Such hydrogels could be employed for a diverse range of applications in regenerative medicine. Furthermore, the rational design helps in the understanding ECM structuring.}, language = {en} } @article{KhudairMarcuzziNgetal.2022, author = {Khudair, Mohammed and Marcuzzi, Anna and Ng, Kwok and Tempest, Gavin Daniel and Bartoš, František and Peric, Ratko and Maier, Maximilian and Beccia, Flavia and Boccia, Stefania and Brandes, Mirko and Cardon, Greet and Carlin, Angela and Castagna, Carolina and Chaabene, Helmi and Chalkley, Anna and Ciaccioni, Simone and Cieślińska-Świder, Joanna and Čingienė, Vilma and Cortis, Cristina and Corvino, Chiara and de Geus, Eco J. C. and Di Baldassarre, Angela and Di Credico, Andrea and Drid, Patrik and Tarazaga, Rosa Ma Fern{\´a}ndez and Gall{\`e}, Francesca and S{\´a}nchez, Esther Garcia and Gebremariam, Mekdes and Ghinassi, Barbara and Goudas, Marios and Hayes, Grainne and Honorio, Samuel and Izzicupo, Pascal and Jahre, Henriette and Jelsma, Judith and Juric, Petra and Kolovelonis, Athanasios and Kongsvold, Atle and Kouidi, Evangelia and Mansergh, Fiona and Masanovic, Bojan and Mekonnen, Teferi and Mork, Paul Jarle and Murphy, Marie and O'Hara, Kelly and Torun, Ayse Ozbil and Palumbo, Federico and Popovic, Stevo and Prieske, Olaf and Puharic, Zrinka and Ribeiro, Jos{\´e} Carlos and Rumbold, Penny Louise Sheena and Sandu, Petru and Soric, Maroje and Stavnsbo, Mette and Syrmpas, Ioannis and van der Ploeg, Hidde P. and Van Hoye, Aur{\´e}lie and Vilela, Sofia and Woods, Catherine and Wunsch, Kathrin and Caprinica, Laura and MacDonncha, Ciaran and Ling, Fiona Chun Man}, title = {DE-PASS Best Evidence Statement (BESt): modifiable determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents aged 5-19 years-a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis}, series = {BMJ open}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMJ open}, number = {9}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group}, address = {London}, organization = {DE-PASS}, issn = {2044-6055}, doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059202}, pages = {8}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Introduction Physical activity among children and adolescents remains insufficient, despite the substantial efforts made by researchers and policymakers. Identifying and furthering our understanding of potential modifiable determinants of physical activity behaviour (PAB) and sedentary behaviour (SB) is crucial for the development of interventions that promote a shift from SB to PAB. The current protocol details the process through which a series of systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses (MAs) will be conducted to produce a best-evidence statement (BESt) and inform policymakers. The overall aim is to identify modifiable determinants that are associated with changes in PAB and SB in children and adolescents (aged 5-19 years) and to quantify their effect on, or association with, PAB/SB. Methods and analysis A search will be performed in MEDLINE, SportDiscus, Web of Science, PsychINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials (CTs) that investigate the effect of interventions on PAB/SB and longitudinal studies that investigate the associations between modifiable determinants and PAB/SB at multiple time points will be sought. Risk of bias assessments will be performed using adapted versions of Cochrane's RoB V.2.0 and ROBINS-I tools for RCTs and CTs, respectively, and an adapted version of the National Institute of Health's tool for longitudinal studies. Data will be synthesised narratively and, where possible, MAs will be performed using frequentist and Bayesian statistics. Modifiable determinants will be discussed considering the settings in which they were investigated and the PAB/SB measurement methods used. Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval is needed as no primary data will be collected. The findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and academic conferences where possible. The BESt will also be shared with policy makers within the DE-PASS consortium in the first instance. Systematic review registration CRD42021282874.}, language = {en} }