Molecules, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124616 · Published: June 7, 2023
Biomaterials should mimic the native extracellular matrix of the tissue to be regenerated to create functional tissue engineering scaffolds. Hydrogels, particularly peptide hydrogels, show promise as biocompatible scaffolds for regenerative therapies. Functionalised hydrogels, incorporating extracellular matrix adhesion motifs, represent a novel theme aimed at enhancing hydrogel biocompatibility by considering the native microenvironment of the regeneration site. This review introduces hydrogels in tissue engineering, explores the extracellular matrix's complexity, examines specific adhesion motifs in functionalised hydrogels, and outlines their potential in regenerative medicine.
Functionalized hydrogels with ECM adhesion motifs can improve tissue regeneration by mimicking the native microenvironment.
The use of ECM-derived peptide sequences enhances the biocompatibility of hydrogels, promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.
Specific adhesion motifs, such as DGEA, can direct cell differentiation towards desired lineages, like osteogenic differentiation.