GHK Tripeptide functionalized with self-assembled peptide-gold nanoparticles for therapeutic applications

Abstract

Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine(GHK) tripeptides are known for therapeutic potential like wound-healing, anti-inflammatory activity, and cellular regeneration. However, there has a problem about poor biological stability and limited efficacy in a physiological medium. Supramolecular peptide nanofiber-gold nanoparticle nanohybrids functionalized with GHK tripeptides overcome these limitations and enhances therapeutic efficacy and material ability. 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl- diphenylalanine scaffolds with GHK and KHG tripeptides form self-assembled fibrillar structures. Amino acid sequence influences surface exposure of lysine can impact wound-healing capabilities. Au NPs are spatially confined within the peptide nanofibers. It shows superior near-infrared(NIR) light absorption and photothermal conversion efficiency. We overcome cytotoxicity and biodegradability concerns of conventional photothermal agents, offering a strategy for post- operative cancer therapy and tissue regeneration.