Research progress of self-assembling peptide hydrogels in repairing cartilage defects

Abstract

Due to the lack of blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels, the capacity of articular cartilage to heal is extremely limited. Once damaged, it is urgent for articular cartilage to repair the injury. In recent years, there has been an increase in cartilage tissue engineering studies. Self-assembling peptide hydrogel as a kind of hydrogels composed of peptides and water is widely used in cartilage tissue engineering. Under noncovalent interactions such as electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking force, peptides self-assemble into three-dimensional (3D) structures that mimic the natural extracellular matrix and allow cells to grow, proliferate and differentiate. Because SAPHs have excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, variable mechanical properties, low immunogenicity, injectability, and the ability to load cells and bioactive substances, many researchers utilized them to promote the repair and regeneration of articular cartilage after damage. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to sum up the composition, injury characteristics, and treatments of articular cartilage, as well as the action of SAPHs in repairing articular cartilage damage.

Structural and Morphological Features of Anisotropic Chitosan Hydrogels Obtained by Ion-Induced Neutralization in a Triethanolamine Medium

“…The reactiondiffusion processes proceeding made it possible to obtain self-assembled structures with at least two self-assembly maxima. Self-assembling peptide hydrogels mimic the natural extracellular matrix and allow cells to grow, proliferate, and differentiate [16]. In addition, such biomimetic peptide hydrogels may exhibit orientated periodic ordering not only on a macroscopic but also on a microscopic scale, as was found in a study of diffusion-limited crystallization of calcium phosphate in a gelatin hydrogel [17].…”

Extracellular Vesicles and Hydrogels: An Innovative Approach to Tissue Regeneration

“…These hydrogel frameworks are multifaceted and show promise for the regeneration of diverse tissues, including nerves, cardiac tissue, cartilage, and bones. 197 In animal models, 3D-printed collagenchitosan hydrogels have been highlighted for their potential to reduce scarring, promote nerve fiber regeneration, and facilitate functional recovery. 198 The use of a mixture of HA, alginate, and fibrin as 3D printing ink is another innovative technique that paves the way for nerve tissue regeneration.…”

“…This synthetic matrix, which is enriched with growth factors and metabolites, is intended to connect cells and modulate tissue structure, ultimately replacing damaged or lost tissues. , Hydrogels have carved out a niche in tissue engineering due to their mechanical strength, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and close resemblance to the extracellular matrix of the body. These hydrogel frameworks are multifaceted and show promise for the regeneration of diverse tissues, including nerves, cardiac tissue, cartilage, and bones . In animal models, 3D-printed collagen-chitosan hydrogels have been highlighted for their potential to reduce scarring, promote nerve fiber regeneration, and facilitate functional recovery .…”

Peptide-Based Hydrogels: Template Materials for Tissue Engineering

“…Results revealed the improvement of cell growth and production of cartilage-specific ECM, showing the ability of the construct to aid cartilage tissue regeneration and confirming the importance of recreating a suitable microenvironment for optimal results. In 2022, Wang and co-workers reviewed the use of self-assembling peptide hydrogels, including KLD-12, RADA16 and IEIK13, as suitable candidates for the regeneration of cartilage [171]. Such hydrogels could have a significant clinical role in the future by providing the conditions for cell morphology and viability maintenance, increasing the release of cartilage-specific ECM, and repairing defects in situ.…”