Peptide Self-assembly: From Ordered to Disordered.

Biomolecular self-assembly is a ubiquitous occurrence in nature that gives rise to sophisticated superstructures that enable the implementation of complex biological functions. It encompasses both ordered structures, such as the DNA double helix, and disordered structures, such as the nucleolus and other nonmembranous organelles. In contrast to these highly organized ordered structures, which exhibit specific patterns or symmetry, disordered structures are characterized by their flexible and randomized molecular organization, which provides versatility, dynamicity, and adaptability to biological systems and contributes to the complexity and functionality of living organisms. However, these disordered structures usually exist in a thermodynamically metastable state. This means that these disordered structures are unstable and difficult to observe due to their short existence time. Achieving disordered structures through precise control of the assembly process and ensuring their stability and integrity pose significant challenges. Currently, ongoing research efforts are focused on the self-assembly of proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). However, the structural complexity and instability of proteins present prohibitive difficulties in elucidating the multiscale self-assembly process. Therefore, simple peptides, as a segment of proteins, hold great promise in constructing self-assembly systems for related research. Since our finding on droplet-like disordered structures that occur transiently during the peptide self-assembly (PSA), our research is centered around the dynamic evolution of peptide supramolecular systems, particularly the modulation of a variety of assembled structures ranging from ordered to disordered.In this Account, we narrate our recent research endeavors on supramolecular structures formed by PSA, spanning from ordered structures to disordered structures. We delve into the mechanisms of structural regulation, shedding light on how these peptide-based structures can be controlled more precisely. Moreover, we emphasize the functional applications that arise from these structures. To begin, we conduct a comprehensive overview of various types of ordered structures that emerge from PSA, showcasing their diverse applications. Following, we elaborate on the discovery and development of droplet-like disordered structures that arise during PSA. A mechanistic study on multistep self-assembly processes mediated by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is critically emphasized. Ordered structures with different morphologies and functions can be obtained by subtly controlling and adjusting the metastable liquid droplets. In particular, we have recently developed solid glasses with long-range disorder, including noncovalent biomolecular glass based on amino acid and peptide derivatives, as well as high-entropy glass based on cyclic peptides. This demonstrates the great potential of using biologically derived molecules to create green and sustainable glassy materials.

Effects of qigong exercise on physical fitness and patient-reported health outcomes in lung cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a three-month Guolin Qigong (GQ) intervention on physical fitness and patient-reported health outcomes among patients with lung cancer. METHODS: This pilot study was a non-randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants who were over 18 years of age and diagnosed with stage I-IV lung cancer were enrolled in the study and received either the GQ intervention or usual care (UC). Participants in the GQ group performed GQ at least twice a week (one hour per session) for three months. Physical fitness (chair stand, arm curl, sit and reach, back scratch, 8-foot up and go, 6-min walk test) was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, six months, and 12 months. Self-reported quality of life and sleep (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and six months. RESULTS: Forty-nine participants (65% females, 59.1 ± 7.0 years old, ranging from 39 to 71 years old) were enrolled in the study, and 25 participants completed all tests at 12-month follow-up (13 in GQ vs. 12 in UC; 68% females, 59.3 ± 5.5 years old). Compared to the UC group, results for the chair stand and arm curl tests improved significantly in the GQ group from baseline to post-intervention (P = 0.024 and P = 0.041, respectively). Similarly, the 8-foot up and go test improved in the GQ group from baseline to post-intervention and 12 months (P = 0.004 and P = 0.008, respectively) when compared to the UC group. Between-group analyses also revealed a statistically significant improvement in global health status/quality of life from baseline to six months (P = 0.018) and quality of sleep from baseline to post-intervention (P = 0.034) in favor of the GQ group. CONCLUSION: GQ had a beneficial effect on lower and upper body strength, locomotor performance (speed, agility, and balance while moving), quality of sleep, and quality of life among lung cancer survivors, but further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059145).

Quality improvement in the golden hour for premature infants: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evidence-based research has shown that golden hour quality improvement (QI) measures can improve the quality of care and reduce serious complications of premature infants. Herein, we sought to review golden hour QI studies to evaluate the impact on the outcome of preterm infants. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SinoMed databases from inception to April 03, 2023. Only studies describing QI interventions in the golden hour of preterm infants were included. Outcomes were summarized and qualitative synthesis was performed. RESULTS: Ten studies were eligible for inclusion. All studies were from single centers, of which nine were conducted in the USA and one in Israel. Seven were pre-post comparative studies and three were observational studies. Most included studies were of medium quality (80%). The most common primary outcome was admission temperatures and glucose. Five studies (n = 2308) reported improvements in the admission temperature and three studies (n = 2052) reported improvements in hypoglycemia after QI. Four studies (n = 907) showed that the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was lower in preterm infants after QI: 106/408 (26.0%) vs. 122/424(29.5%) [OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.97, p = 0.04]. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the golden hour QI bundle can improve the short-term and long-term outcomes for extremely preterm infants. There was considerable heterogeneity and deficiencies in the included studies, and the variation in impact on outcomes suggests the need to use standardized and validated measures. Future studies are needed to develop locally appropriate, high-quality, and replicable QI projects.

Functional chromopeptide nanoarchitectonics: molecular design, self-assembly and biological applications.

Chromoproteins are a class of delicate natural compounds that elegantly complex photosensitive species with proteins and play a central role in important life processes, such as photosynthesis. Inspired by chromoproteins, researchers integrate simple peptides and photosensitive molecular motifs to generate chromopeptides. Compared with chromoproteins, chromopeptides exhibit a relatively simple molecular structure, flexible and adjustable photophysical properties, and a capability of programmable self-assembly. Chromopeptide self-assembly has attracted great attention as the resultant high-level architectures exhibit an ingenious combination of photofunctions and biofunctions. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in chromopeptide nanoarchitectonics with particular focus on the design strategy, assembly mechanism, and structure-function relationship. Among them, the effect of peptide sequences and the variation in photophysical performance are critically emphasized. On this basis, various applications, including biomedicine and artificial photosynthesis, are discussed together with the future prospects of chromopeptide nanoarchitectonics. This review will provide insights into chromopeptide nanoarchitectonics and corresponding materials with precise designs, flexible nanostructures and versatile functions. In addition, knowledge involving chromopeptide nanoarchitectonics may aid in the development of many other kinds of supramolecular biological materials and bioengineering techniques.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding children with ICU-acquired weakness in pediatric intensive care unit among chinese medical staff: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: ICU-AW (Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness) is characterized by significant muscle weakness and can be caused by a variety of factors, including immobility, medication use, and underlying medical conditions.ICU-AW can affect critically ill children who have been hospitalized in the PICU for an extended period of time.The knowledge, attitude and practice level of ICU-AW of PICU medical staff directly affect the treatment of critically ill children with ICU-AW.The aim to this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Chinese medical staff regarding critically ill children with intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) and related factors. METHODS: A Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Questionnaire regarding critically ill children with ICU-AW was distributed to a stratified sample of 530 pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) healthcare workers. The questionnaire consisted of 31 items-with scores of 45, 40, and 40 for each dimension and a total score of 125. RESULTS: The mean total score of Chinese PICU healthcare workers for the KAP questionnaire regarding children with ICU-AW was 87.36 ± 14.241 (53-121), with mean total knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores of 30.35 ± 6.317, 30.46 ± 5.632, and 26.54 ± 6.454, respectively. The population distribution indicated that 50.56%, 46.04%, and 3.4% of healthcare workers had poor, average, and good scores, respectively. Multiple linear regression showed that gender, education, and hospital level classification influenced the KAP level of PICU healthcare workers regarding critically ill children with ICU-AW. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PICU healthcare workers in China have an average KAP level about ICU-AW, and the gender and education level of PICU healthcare workers, as well as the classification of hospitals where they work, predict the KAP status of healthcare workers regarding children with ICU-AW. Therefore, healthcare leaders should plan and develop specific training programs to improve the KAP level of PICU healthcare workers.

Validity of accelerometry for predicting physical activity and sedentary time in ambulatory children and young adults with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: /Objectives: This study aimed to validate five published ActiGraph (AG) cut-off points for the measurements of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in ambulatory children and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Additionally, four energy expenditure (EE) prediction equations based on AG counts and activPAL (AP) steps were examined in this population, using oxygen uptake (VO2) as the criterion. METHODS: Four male and six female participants with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-III, ages 9-21 years) completed seven activities while simultaneously wearing an AG, AP monitor and indirect calorimetry unit. VO2 was measured on a breath-by-breath basis using the indirect calorimetry and was converted into EE using metabolic equivalents. AG counts were classified as sedentary, light PA (LPA) or moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) using five cut-off points: Puyau, Evenson, Romanzini, Clanchy and Baque. The predicted EE was computed using three AG-based equations (Freedson, Trost and Treuth) and an AP step-based equation. RESULTS: Based on 1920 available data points from the 10 participants, Baque (r = 0.896, κ = 0.773) and Clanchy (r = 0.935, κ = 0.721) AG cut-off points classified PA and ST most accurately. All the equations overestimated EE during sitting activities and underestimated EE during rapid walking. The Freedson, Treuth and AP equations exhibited systematic bias during rapid walking, as their differences from the criterion measure increased progressively with increasing activity intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The AG accurately classified PA and ST when the Baque and Clanchy cut-off points were used. However, none of the available AG or AP equations accurately predicted the EE during PA and ST in children and young adults with CP. Further development is needed to ensure that both devices can estimate EE accurately in this population.

Multifunctional Antimicrobial Biometallohydrogels Based on Amino Acid Coordinated Self-Assembly.

There is a real need for new antibiotics against self-evolving bacteria. One option is to use biofriendly broad-spectrum and mechanically tunable antimicrobial hydrogels that can combat multidrug-resistant microbes. Whilst appealing, there are currently limited options. Herein, broad-spectrum antimicrobial biometallohydrogels based on the self-assembly and local mineralization of Ag+ -coordinated Fmoc-amino acids are reported. Such biometallohydrogels have the advantages of localized delivery and sustained release, reduced drug dosage and toxicity yet improved bioavailability, prolonged drug effect, and tunable mechanical strength. Furthermore, they can directly interact with the cell walls and membrane, resulting in the detachment of the plasma membrane and leakage of the cytoplasm. This leads to cell death, triggering a significant antibacterial effect against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria in cells and mice. This study paves the way for developing a multifunctional integration platform based on simple biomolecules coordinated self-assembly toward a broad range of biomedical applications.

Supramolecular Photothermal Effects: A Promising Mechanism for Efficient Thermal Conversion.

Supramolecular assemblies have been very successful in regulating the photothermal conversion efficiency of organic photothermal materials in a simple and flexible way, compared with conventional molecular synthesis. In these assemblies, it is the inherent physiochemical mechanism that determines the photothermal conversion, rather than the assembly strategy. This Minireview summarizes supramolecular photothermal effects, which refer to the unique features of supramolecular chemistry for regulating the photothermal conversion efficiency. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of how self-assembly affects the photothermal performance. The supramolecular photothermal effects on various types of light-harvesting species are discussed in detail. The timely interpretation of supramolecular photothermal effects is promising for the future design of the photothermal materials with high efficiency, precision, and multiple functionalities for a wide array of applications.

Supramolecular Protein Nanodrugs with Coordination- and Heating-Enhanced Photothermal Effects for Antitumor Therapy.

Supramolecular protein nanodrugs provide opportunities for improving antitumor therapeutic efficiency and lowering toxicity. However, protein nanodrugs that have robust structural stability and enhanced therapeutic efficiency are still in infancy. In this study, photothermal protein nanodrugs are constructed through a supramolecular approach along with heating by using proteins, photosensitizers, and metal ions as the building blocks. The metal coordination and heating improve not only the structural stability but also photothermal performance of the resulting nanodrugs. By virtue of the first integration of coordination- and heating-enhanced photothermal effects, the nanodrugs show superior photothermal conversion efficiency, enhanced tumor accumulation, and improved tumor inhibition. Metal coordination and heating are versatile to be applied for various protein nanodrugs. Hence, this study provides insights for the construction of highly efficient photothermal nanodrugs and thus will be beneficial to precision theranostics.

Covalently Assembled Dipeptide Nanoparticles with Adjustable Fluorescence Emission for Multicolor Bioimaging.

Peptide self-assembly, inspired by the naturally occurring fabrication principle, remains the most attractive in constructing fluorescent nanoagents towards bioimaging. However, the noncovalent interactions that drive peptide self-assembly are usually susceptible to the complex physiological environment; thus leading to disassembly and dysfunction of fluorescent nanoagents. Herein, a covalently crosslinked assembly strategy for fabrication of stable peptide-based nanoparticles with adjustable emission is introduced. In the process of cationic diphenylalanine peptide (H-Phe-Phe-NH2 ⋅HCl) self-assembly, glutaraldehyde is used as a crosslinker and the resulting product of the Schiff base reaction can be fluorescent. More importantly, the emission wavelength can be readily tuned by controlling the covalent reaction time. It has been demonstrated that the nanoparticles are stable, even after intracellular uptake, and can be used for sustainable multicolor fluorescent imaging. The strategy with integrating peptide self-assembly and covalent crosslinking could be promising for the design and engineering of functional fluorescent nanoparticles with robust physiological stability and adjustable emission towards improved bioimaging applications.

Spatiotemporally Coupled Photoactivity of Phthalocyanine-Peptide Conjugate Self-Assemblies for Adaptive Tumor Theranostics.

Spatiotemporally coupled tumor phototheranostic platforms offer a flexible and precise system that takes the biological interaction between tumors and photoactive agents into consideration for optimizing treatment, which is highly consistent with precision medicine. However, the fabrication of monocomponent-based photoactive agents applicable to multifold imaging techniques and multiple therapies in a facile way remains challenging. In this study, we developed simple phthalocyanine-peptide (PF) conjugate-based monocomponent nanoparticles with spatiotemporally coupled photoactivity for adaptive tumor theranostics. The self-assembled PF nanoparticles possess well-defined spherical nanostructures and excellent colloidal stability along with supramolecular photothermal effects. Importantly, the PF nanoparticles showed switchable photoactivity triggered by their interactions with the cell membrane, which enables an adaptive transformation from photothermal therapy (PTT) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to photodynamic therapy (PDT) and corresponding fluorescence imaging (FI). Theranostic modalities are integrated in a spatiotemporally coupled manner, providing a facile, biocompatible and effective route for localized tumor phototherapy. This study offers a flexible and versatile strategy to integrate multiple theranostic modalities into a single component so that it can realize its full potential and thereby amplify its therapeutic efficacy, creating promising opportunities for the design of theranostics and further highlighting their clinical prospects to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Recent advances of self-assembling peptide-based hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Peptide-based hydrogels have been proven to be preeminent biomedical materials due to their high water content, tunable mechanical stability, great biocompatibility and excellent injectability. The ability of peptide-based hydrogels to provide extracellular matrix-mimicking environments opens up opportunities for their biomedical applications in fields such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. In this review, we first describe several methods commonly used for the fabrication of robust peptide-based hydrogels, including spontaneous hydrogelation, enzyme-controlled hydrogelation and cross-linking-enhanced hydrogelation. We then introduce some representative studies on their applications in drug delivery and antitumor therapy, antimicrobial and wound healing materials, and 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering. We hope that this review facilitates the advances of hydrogels in biomedical applications.

The Dominant Role of Oxygen in Modulating the Chemical Evolution Pathways of Tyrosine in Peptides: Dityrosine or Melanin.

In diverse biological systems, the oxidation of tyrosine to melanin or dityrosine is crucial for the formation of crosslinked proteins and thus for the realization of their structural, biological, and photoactive functionalities; however, the predominant factor in determining the pathways of this chemical evolution has not been revealed. Herein, we demonstrate for tyrosine-containing amino acid derivatives, peptides, and proteins that the selective oxidation of tyrosine to produce melanin or dityrosine can be readily realized by manipulating the oxygen concentration in the reaction system. This oxygen-dependent pathway selection reflects the selective chemical evolution of tyrosine to dityrosine and melanin in anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms, respectively. The resulting melanin- and dityrosine-containing nanomaterials reproduce key functions of their natural counterparts with respect to their photothermal and photoluminescent characteristics, respectively. This work reveals the plausible role of oxygen in the chemical evolution of tyrosine derivatives and provides a versatile strategy for the rational design of tyrosine-based multifunctional biomaterials.

Nucleation and Growth of Amino Acid and Peptide Supramolecular Polymers through Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation.

The transition of peptides and proteins from the solution phase into fibrillar structures is a general phenomenon encountered in functional and aberrant biology and is increasingly exploited in soft materials science. However, the fundamental molecular events underpinning the early stages of their assembly and subsequent growth have remained challenging to elucidate. Here, we show that liquid-liquid phase separation into solute-rich and solute-poor phases is a fundamental step leading to the nucleation of supramolecular nanofibrils from molecular building blocks, including peptides and even amphiphilic amino acids. The solute-rich liquid droplets act as nucleation sites, allowing the formation of thermodynamically favorable nanofibrils following Ostwald's step rule. The transition from solution to liquid droplets is entropy driven while the transition from liquid droplets to nanofibrils is mediated by enthalpic interactions and characterized by structural reorganization. These findings shed light on how the nucleation barrier toward the formation of solid phases can be lowered through a kinetic mechanism which proceeds through a metastable liquid phase.

Smart Peptide-Based Supramolecular Photodynamic Metallo-Nanodrugs Designed by Multicomponent Coordination Self-Assembly.

Supramolecular photosensitizer nanodrugs that combine the flexibility of supramolecular self-assembly and the advantage of spatiotemporal, controlled drug delivery are promising for dedicated, precise, noninvasive tumor therapy. However, integrating robust blood circulation and targeted burst release in a single photosensitizer nanodrug platform that can simultaneously improve the therapeutic performance and reduce side effects is challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a multicomponent coordination self-assembly strategy that is versatile and potent for the development of photodynamic nanodrugs. Inspired by the multicomponent self-organization of polypeptides, pigments, and metal ions in metalloproteins, smart metallo-nanodrugs are constructed based on the combination and cooperation of multiple coordination, hydrophobic, and electrostatic noncovalent interactions among short peptides, photosensitizers, and metal ions. The resulting metallo-nanodrugs have uniform sizes, well-defined nanosphere structures, and high loading capacities. Most importantly, multicomponent assembled nanodrugs have robust colloidal stability and ultrasensitive responses to pH and redox stimuli. These properties prolong blood circulation, increase tumor accumulation, and enhance the photodynamic tumor therapeutic efficacy. This study offers a new strategy to harness robust, smart metallo-nanodrugs with integrated flexibility and multifunction to enhance tumor-specific delivery and therapeutic effects, highlighting opportunities to develop next-generation, smart photosensitizing nanomedicines.

Facile synthesis of self-assembled carbon nanotubes/dye composite films for sensitive electrochemical determination of Cd(II) ions.

A new type of voltammetric sensor material has been fabricated via a facile self-assembled method. A modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by phenylsulfonic groups grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT-SO3H) with dye molecules via Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) assembling (CNT-SO3H/dye-LB/GCE) were prepared for detecting trace levels of cadmium (Cd2+) ions by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The synergy effect between CNT-SO3H and dye as well as orderly aggregates in composite LB films contributed to greatly enhancing the determination performance. Under selected conditions, voltammetric response of the fabricated electrochemical sensor in 0.1 M acetate buffer solution containing Bi3+ ions for Cd2+ ions was linear with its concentration in the range 0.1 to 1.2 µM, with a detection limit of 0.08 µM. In addition, the preparation process of self-assembled composite film modified electrodes was simple, non-toxic, exhibiting higher sensitivity and potential application prospects in aspects of heavy metal ions detection and environmental analysis.

Amino Acid Coordination Driven Self-Assembly for Enhancing both the Biological Stability and Tumor Accumulation of Curcumin.

Clinical translation of curcumin has been highly obstructed by the rapid degradation and poor tissue absorption of this agent. Herein, we report on the generation of supramolecular curcumin nanoagents through amino acid coordination driven self-assembly to simultaneously increase the biological stability and tumor accumulation of curcumin. The biological stability of curcumin was significantly improved both through coordination and through molecular stacking. The sizes of these nanoagents can be readily manipulated to facilitate tumor accumulation. These favorable therapeutic features, together with high drug-loading capacities and responses to pH and redox stimuli, substantially enhanced the antitumor activity of curcumin without discernible side effects. Hence, supramolecular curcumin nanoagents may hold promise in moving forward the clinical application of curcumin as an effective anticancer drug.

Charge-Induced Secondary Structure Transformation of Amyloid-Derived Dipeptide Assemblies from ß-Sheet to α-Helix.

Secondary structures such as α-helix and ß-sheet are the major structural motifs within the three-dimensional geometry of proteins. Therefore, structure transitions from ß-sheet to α-helix not only can serve as an effective strategy for the therapy of neurological diseases through the inhibition of ß-sheet aggregation but also extend the application of α-helix fibrils in biomedicine. Herein, we present a charge-induced secondary structure transition of amyloid-derived dipeptide assemblies from ß-sheet to α-helix. We unravel that the electrostatic (charge) repulsion between the C-terminal charges of the dipeptide molecules are responsible for the conversion of the secondary structure. This finding provides a new perspective to understanding the secondary structure formation and transformation in the supramolecular organization and life activity.

Self-Assembled Injectable Peptide Hydrogels Capable of Triggering Antitumor Immune Response.

Self-assembled peptide hydrogels are particularly appealing for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and antitumor therapy due to various advantageous features including excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, defined molecular and higher organized structures, and easy availability. However, the poor mechanical and rheological properties of assembled peptide hydrogels cause difficulties in injection, thus limiting further applications. Herein, injectable peptide-based hydrogels with tunable mechanical and rheological properties were obtained by combination with a positively charged poly peptide (poly-l-lysine, PLL). Electrostatic coupling between PLL and a self-assembling dipeptide (Fmoc-FF) provides a smart switch to enable the fibrous hydrogels to be shear-thinning and self-healing, thus leading to the formation of supramolecular hydrogels with rheological properties suitable for injection. The latter can be flexibly adjusted by merely varying the concentration or the molecular weight of the polypeptide to satisfy a variety of requirements in biological applications. The hydrogels, consisting of helical nanofibers stabilized with disulfide bonds, are prepared and further injected for antitumor therapy. The results demonstrate that the helical fibrous hydrogel, without the addition of antigens, immune regulatory factors, and adjuvants, can activate T cell response and efficiently suppress tumor growth. Therefore, injectable hydrogels self-assembled by a combination of small peptides and biomacromolecules present a great potential for biomedical applications, especially for development of a new type of immuno-responsive materials toward antitumor therapy.

Peptide self-assembly: thermodynamics and kinetics.

Self-assembling systems play a significant role in physiological functions and have therefore attracted tremendous attention due to their great potential for applications in energy, biomedicine and nanotechnology. Peptides, consisting of amino acids, are among the most popular building blocks and programmable molecular motifs. Nanostructures and materials assembled using peptides exhibit important potential for green-life new technology and biomedical applications mostly because of their bio-friendliness and reversibility. The formation of these ordered nanostructures pertains to the synergistic effect of various intermolecular non-covalent interactions, including hydrogen-bonding, π-π stacking, electrostatic, hydrophobic, and van der Waals interactions. Therefore, the self-assembly process is mainly driven by thermodynamics; however, kinetics is also a critical factor in structural modulation and function integration. In this review, we focus on the influence of thermodynamic and kinetic factors on structural assembly and regulation based on different types of peptide building blocks, including aromatic dipeptides, amphiphilic peptides, polypeptides, and amyloid-relevant peptides.