Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Peptide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel Patch

Abstract

CO has garnered attention as a therapeutic gas with cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory action on human body. However, the clinical use of gaseous CO remains challenging by its high affinity to hemoglobin, resulting in systemic overexposure and CO-poisoning. These challenges have led to develop CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) but rapid dissociation of CO from CORM after administration induces uncontrollable CO-delivery to target, leading to insufficient therapeutic action of CO. Here, the syringe-deliverable CO-releasing peptide hydrogel (COH) and adhesive hydrogel patch (COHP) were prepared by supramolecular chemistry to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CO with controllable CO-release to desired site. COH generated by self-assembly of CORM-attached peptides with gel-forming FF-derivative results in fibrillar networks and exhibits prolonged CO-release compared to CORMs. Further, Ca2+-binding and mussel-inspired peptides were introduced to afford a mechanically rigid, adhesive COHP.