The Powerful Functions of Peptide-Based Bioactive Matrices for Regenerative Medicine

Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2014 · DOI: 10.1007/s10439-014-1166-6 · Published: October 15, 2014

Simple Explanation

Peptides are used to create supramolecular nanostructures that mimic the architecture and chemistry of the extracellular matrix to promote interactions with cells and elicit desired behaviors in vivo. These bioactive matrices can either bind or mimic growth factors or other protein ligands to elicit a cellular response, promote specific mechano-biological responses, and also guide the migration of cells with programmed directionality. The innate biodegradability of these systems allow for the natural biological processes to take over in order to promote formation of a new tissue without leaving a trace of the nonnatural components.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review Article

Key Findings

1
Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) can self-assemble into nanostructures and hydrogel scaffolds for biological applications, demonstrating potential in neural, bone, and vascular regeneration.
2
IKVAV-bearing PA injected at the lesion site after spinal cord injury demonstrated significantly higher BBB scores compared with control animals.
3
HBPA nanoﬁbers-heparan sulfate nanoﬁbers promoted enhanced bone regeneration in a rat critical-size defect model.

Research Summary

This review highlights the functions and promise of self-assembled peptides for constructing bioactive matrices in regenerative medicine. Self-assembling peptides have advanced from fundamental studies of novel self-assembly principles, to exploratory results in vitro, to translational in vivo models. The combination of biologically relevant signals and the similarity of noncovalent interactions utilized by biological systems and self-assembling peptides have allowed these materials to replicate certain features of the ECM.

Practical Implications

Neural Regeneration

Peptide scaffolds can promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury and auditory nerve regeneration.

Bone Regeneration

PA nanoﬁber gels can promote bone formation in critical-size femoral defects and enhance spinal fusion.

Angiogenesis

Peptide-based matrices can promote the growth of new blood vessels and improve tissue perfusion in ischemic conditions.

Study Limitations

1
Only a handful of the platforms discussed have been applied successfully to in vivo models.
2
Regulatory and federal agencies support is needed for costly translational research.
3
Capturing the highly dynamic nature of the ECM remains a challenge.

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