Development and Evaluation of RADA-PDGF2 Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogel for Enhanced Skin Wound Healing

November 2023 in “ Frontiers in Pharmacology ”

Milena Deptuła, Justyna Sawicka, Piotr Sass, Piotr Sosnowski, Przemysław Karpowicz, Małgorzata Zawrzykraj, Anna Wardowska, Agata Tymińska, Maria Dzierżyńska, Zuzanna Pietralik-Molińska, Barbara Peplińska, Jacek Zieliński, Karolina Kondej, Maciej Kozak, Paweł Sachadyn, Sylwia Rodziewicz‐Motowidło, Michał Pikuła

RADA-PDGF2 self-assembling peptide hydrogel PDGF2 RADA16-I neutrophil elastase bioactive sequences cell proliferation cell migration wound closure non-cytotoxic non-immunogenic

TLDR RADA-PDGF2 hydrogel speeds up wound healing and is safe for use.

The study developed a self-assembling peptide hydrogel, RADA-PDGF2, to enhance skin wound healing by combining the RADA16-I peptide with the PDGF2 peptide, linked by a neutrophil elastase-specific fragment. This hydrogel demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity, promoted cell proliferation and migration, and enhanced collagen synthesis in vitro. In a murine model, it significantly accelerated wound closure and epithelialization compared to a control hydrogel, with 60% closure by day 9 versus 23% in the control. The hydrogel's chemical stability, biocompatibility, and ability to promote wound healing suggest its potential for treating chronic wounds, although further research is needed to optimize its therapeutic applications. The study involved 12 wounds in the mouse model.