Protein to biomaterials: Unraveling the antiviral and proangiogenic activities of Ac-Tβ<sub>1-17</sub> peptide, a thymosin β4 metabolite, and its implications in peptide-scaffold preparation.
This study investigated the biological activities of Ac-Tβ1-17, a novel acetylated peptide metabolite derived from the first 17 amino acids of thymosin β4 (Tβ4), with applications in regenerative biomaterials. Researchers first assessed its antiviral potential, finding that Ac-Tβ1-17 demonstrated protease inhibition activity against SARS-CoV-2 that reportedly exceeded that of its parent protein. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the peptide was associated with enhanced cell proliferation, wound healing, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. The study also incorporated Ac-Tβ1-17 into a peptide-based scaffold, where it appeared to support cell growth and angiogenesis both within the scaffold and through gradual release. Mechanistically, treatment upregulated gene expression of Akt, ERK, PI3K, MEK, and Bcl-2, along with proangiogenic proteins. Ex vivo experiments in mouse fetal metatarsal tissue further suggested enhanced tissue growth and angiogenesis. Limitations include the predominantly in vitro and ex vivo design with no human clinical data, a small-animal ex vivo model, and the absence of controlled in vivo studies. The findings are exploratory and suggest Ac-Tβ1-17 as a candidate biomaterial-active peptide warranting further investigation.
Why this grade: Evidence is derived entirely from in vitro (HUVEC cell assays), ex vivo (mouse fetal metatarsal), and biochemical experiments with no human subjects or controlled in vivo trials.
Peptide metabolites are emerging biomolecules with numerous possibilities in biomaterial-based regenerative medicine due to their inherent bioactivities. These small, naturally occurring compounds are intermediates or byproducts of larger proteins and peptides, and they can have profound effects, such as antiviral therapeutics, proangiogenic agents, and regenerative medicinal applications. This study is among the first to focus on using thymosin β4 protein-derived metabolites to pioneer novel applications for peptide metabolites in biomaterials. This study found that the novel peptide metabolite acetyl-thymosin β4 (amino acid 1-17) (Ac-Tβ 1-17 ) exhibited significant protease inhibition activity against SARS-CoV-2, surpassing its precursor protein. Additionally, Ac-Tβ 1-17 demonstrated beneficial effects, such as cell proliferation, wound healing, and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Integrating Ac-Tβ 1-17 into a peptide-based scaffold facilitated cell growth and angiogenesis inside the scaffold and through gradual release into the surrounding environment. The Ac-Tβ 1-17 peptide treatment induced significant biochemical responses in HUVEC, increasing Akt, ERK, PI3K, MEK, and Bcl-2 gene expression and proangiogenic proteins. Ac-Tβ 1-17 peptide treatment showed similar results in ex vivo by enhancing mouse fetal metatarsal growth and angiogenesis. These findings highlight the potential of natural protein metabolites to generate biologically active peptides, offering a novel strategy for enhancing biomaterial compatibility. This approach holds promise for developing therapeutic biomaterials using peptide metabolites, presenting exciting prospects for future research and applications.
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