Abstract: Compositions, formulations and methods of use thereof for treating, preventing and improving the condition and aesthetic appearance of skin are described. Compositions, formulations and methods of use thereof for treatment of dermis wounds, aged dermis, diseased dermis or damaged dermis are also described. The present compositions and formulations comprise a peptide with an amino acid sequence of QHREDGS (SEQ ID NO: 1) and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention examines the interaction between an angiopoietin-1 mimetic peptide, QHREDGS (glutamine-histidine-arginine-glutamic acid-aspartic acid-glycine-serine (SEQ ID NO: 1)) immobilized to a collagen-chitosan hydrogel, and murine bone marrow derived macrophages. When macrophages were cultured in the presence of the peptide conjugated to a hydrogel, both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were produced, in contrast to the application of soluble peptide which elicited minimal cytokine secretion. This indicates a unique macrophage polarization with covalently immobilized peptide hydrogels, which can be beneficial in the context of the wound microenvironment.