Nanoengineered Self-Assembling Peptides with Increased Proteolytic Stability Promote Wound Healing.

ABSTRACT: The copper complex of the tripeptide glycine-histidine-lysine (GHK) has proven benefits in wound healing and tissue remodeling by promoting blood vessel growth and increasing skin oxygen levels, but its activity is reduced in body fluids due to fast proteolytic cleavage. Herein, we designed several peptides that bear the GHK sequence and can self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures aiming for enhanced bioactivity. The design involves a phenylalanine (F) backbone known for its ability to form supramolecular assemblies. We tested either coassembly between the structural peptide F₄D and the functional sequence GHK or assembly of covalently bound peptides, in which the GHK is bound via the glycine (F₄D-GHK) or lysine (F₄D-KHG, i.e., inverted GHK sequenc

SUBMITTER: Castro VIB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12818720 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature