Impact of citrate and lipid-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles in dehydropeptide supramolecular magnetogels: properties, design and drug release

Currently, the nanoparticle functionalization effect on supramolecular peptide-based hydrogels remains undescribed, but is expected to affect the hydrogels’ self-assembly and final magnetic gel properties. Herein, two different functionalized nanoparticles: citrate-stabilized (14.4 ± 2.6 nm) and lipid-coated (8.9 ± 2.1 nm) magnetic nanoparticles, were used for the formation of dehydropeptide-based supramolecular magnetogels consisting of the ultra-short hydrogelator Cbz-L-Met-Z-ΔPhe-OH, with an assessment of their effect over gel properties. The lipid-coated nanoparticles were distributed along the hydrogel fibers, while citrate-stabilized nanoparticles were aggregated upon gelation, which resulted into a heating efficiency improvement and decrease, respectively. Further, the lipid-coated nanoparticles did not affect drug encapsulation and displayed improved drug release reproducibility compared to citrate-stabilized nanoparticles, despite the latter attaining a stronger AMF-trigger. This report points out that adsorption of nanoparticles to hydrogel fibers, which display domains that improve or do not affect drug encapsulation, can be explored as a means to optimize the development of supramolecular magnetogels to advance theranostic applications.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDB/04650/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDB/00686/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. PTDC/QUI-QOR/29015/2017Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. SFRH/BD/144017/2019European Regional Development Fund | Ref. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020European Regional Development Fund | Ref. POCI-01-0145- -FEDER-029015European Regional Development Fund | Ref. NANOCULTURE (ERDF: 1.102.531)Programa Operacional Temático Factores de Competitividade | Ref. POCI-01-0145- -FEDER-029015Programa Operacional Temático Factores de Competitividade | Ref. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CTM2017-84050-RXunta de Galicia | Ref. IN607A 2018/5Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431G 2019/0