Scaffolds from Self-Assembling Tetrapeptides Support 3D Spreading, Osteogenic Differentiation, and Angiogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

ABSTRACT: The apparent rise of bone disorders demands advanced treatment protocols involving tissue engineering. Here, we describe self-assembling tetrapeptide scaffolds for the growth and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The rationally designed peptides are synthetic amphiphilic self-assembling peptides composed of four amino acids that are nontoxic. These tetrapeptides can quickly solidify to nanofibrous hydrogels that resemble the extracellular matrix and provide a three-dimensional (3D) environment for cells with suitable mechanical properties. Furthermore, we can easily tune the stiffness of these peptide hydrogels by just increasing the peptide concentration, thus providing a wide range of peptide hydrogels with different stiffnesses for 3D cell culture appli

SUBMITTER: Alshehri S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8382244 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature