Hydrogel compositions

Abstract

Hydrogel compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion phase and a plurality of peptides, or derivatives, or analogues thereof. Each peptide comprises at least two amino acid residues and an aromatic stacking ligand and the hydrogel is formed by self-assembly of said peptides in said aqueous dispersion medium. The aqueous dispersion phase is physiologically acceptable and may have a pH of 6 to 8, as may the hydrogel itself. The hydrogel may be used for cell culture or for treatment of medical conditions characterised by tissue loss/damage.

1 . A hydrogel composition comprising an aqueous dispersion phase and a plurality of peptides, or derivatives, or analogues thereof, wherein each peptide comprises at least two amino acid residues and an aromatic stacking ligand, and wherein the hydrogel is formed by self-assembly of said peptides in said aqueous dispersion medium. 
     
     
         2 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the aqueous dispersion phase is physiologically acceptable. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  having a pH of 6-8. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the peptide comprises a dipeptide and the aromatic stacking ligand. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the dipeptide is Leu-Leu. 
     
     
         9 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the hydrogel comprises first and second peptides each incorporating a dipeptide and an aromatic stacking ligand wherein the dipeptide of the first peptide is Phe-Phe and the dipeptide of the second peptide is Gly-Gly. 
     
     
         10 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the peptide comprises a tripeptide and the aromatic stacking ligand. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the tripeptide is Leu-Leu-Leu. 
     
     
         13 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the peptide has the structure A.S.L.-AA 1 -AA 2 -X, where A.S.L. denotes the Aromatic Stacking Ligand, where AA n  denotes amino acid residues in the peptide where n is the number of the amino acid residue, and where X is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of Phe, Leu, IKVAV, RGD and KPV. 
     
     
         14 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the peptide comprises an Arginine-Glycine-Aspartate (RGD) peptide motif. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one peptide in the hydrogel comprises an Isoleucine-Lysine-Valine-Alanine-Valine (IKVAV) peptide motif. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one peptide in the hydrogel comprises a Lysine-Proline-Valine (KPV) motif. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hydrogel incorporates a bioadditive which comprises an aromatic stacking ligand and has the structure A.S.L.-K, where A.S.L. denotes a Aromatic Stacking Ligand, and where K denotes a Lysine residue. 
     
     
         21 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the peptide comprises a mixture of Fmoc-Phe-Phe and Fmoc-Lys. 
     
     
         24 . A liquid hydrogel precursor composition comprising an aqueous dispersion phase and a plurality of peptides, or derivatives, or analogues thereof, wherein each peptide comprises at least two amino acid residues and an aromatic stacking ligand, said composition being capable of being induced to form a hydrogel by self-assembly of said peptides. 
     
     
         25 . A method of treating an individual suffering from a medical condition characterised by tissue loss/damage, the method comprising providing at a treatment site of an individual in need of such treatment, a hydrogel comprised of gel-forming peptides, or derivatives, or analogues thereof, wherein each peptide comprises at least two amino acid residues and an aromatic stacking ligand. 
     
     
         26 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A cell-supporting medium comprising a hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1  and at least one cell. 
     
     
         29 . A method of preparing a cell supporting medium according to  claim 28 , the method comprising the steps of:—
 (i) contacting either a hydrogel of the first aspect, or a liquid hydrogel precursor composition according to the second aspect, or a hydrogel composition according to the second with at least one cell; and 
 (ii) exposing the hydrogel or composition to conditions such that the at least one cell is supported on and/or in a hydrogel, thereby forming a cell-supporting medium. 
 
     
     
         30 . A method of culturing cells wherein the cells are cultured on or in a hydrogel composition as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 30  for use in vitro testing, pharmaceutical screening or as extracellular matrix models.