Mesenchymal stem cells aligned and stretched in self-assembling peptide hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: The presented research highlights a novel approach using fmoc-protected peptide hydrogels for the encapsulation and stretching of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study utilized a custom mechanical stretching device with a PDMS chamber to stretch human MSCs encapsulated in Fmoc hydrogels. The study assessed the influence of various solvents on the self-assembly and mechanical properties of the hydrogels, and MSC viability and alignment. Particularly we focused on fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP), and deionized water (DiH₂O). Through molecular self-assembly of the peptide sequence into β-sheets connected by π-π aromatic stacking of F-F groups, the peptide hydrogel was found to form a stiff, hy

SUBMITTER: Fouladgar F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10792194 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature