Prediction, screening and characterisation of novel bioactive, tetra-peptide matrikines 1
Small peptides with amino acid sequences similar to native skin proteins can beneficially affect clinical appearance (wrinkles) and architecture (collagen and elastic fibre deposition and epidermal thickness). However, the discovery of new cosmetic peptides has not been underpinned by any guiding hypothesis. As endogenous extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived peptides (matrikines) produced during tissue remodelling can influence cell activity, we hypothesised that protease cleavage site prediction can identify putative novel matrikines. This RNA-seq data is the in vitro testing part of an in silico to in vivo discovery pipeline, which enables the prediction and characterisation of peptide matrikines with therapeutic potential. We use this pipeline to identify two novel ECM peptides (GPKG and LSVD) which, in combination, act in vitro to enhance the transcription of ECM organisation and cell proliferation genes and in vivo to promote epithelial and dermal remodelling. This pipeline approach can both identify new matrikines and provide insights into the mechanisms underpinning tissue repair.