Synthetic helical peptides on nanofibers to activate cell-surface receptors and synergistically enhance critical-sized bone defect regeneration.

ABSTRACT: More than 500,000 bone grafting procedures are performed annually in the USA. Considering the significant limitations of available bone grafts, we previously invented a phase-separation technology to generate nanofibrous poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds that mimic the bone matrix collagen in nanofiber geometry and enhance bone regeneration. Here we report the development of nanofibrous scaffolds with covalently attached synthetic peptides that mimic native collagen peptides to activate the two main collagen receptors in bone cells, discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) and β1 integrins. We synthesized a PLLA-based graft-copolymer to enable covalent peptide conjugation via a click reaction. Using PLLA and the graft-copolymer, we developed 3D scaffolds with interconnected pores and peptides

SUBMITTER: Zhou T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11458538 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature