Self-Assembling Peptide RADA16: A Promising Scaffold for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

RADA16 is a peptide-based biomaterial whose acidic aqueous solution spontaneously forms an extracellular matrix-like 3D structure within seconds upon contact with physiological pH body fluids. Meanwhile, its good biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, nontoxic degradation products and ease of modification make it an ideal scaffold for tissue engineering. RADA16 is a good delivery vehicle for cells, drugs and factors. Its shear thinning and thixotropic properties allow it to fill tissue voids by injection and not to swell. However, the weaker mechanical properties and poor hydrophilicity are troubling limitations of RADA16. To compensate for this limitation, various functional groups and polymers have been designed to modify RADA16, thus contributing to its scope and progress in the field of tissue engineering.

Injectable self-assembled GDF5-containing dipeptide hydrogels for enhanced tendon repair

“…Compared with traditional biomaterials, self-assembled polypeptide hydrogels exhibit unique characteristics. First, the hydrogel can be used as a drug delivery system to deliver drugs precisely to the repair site in a sustained, metered manner [ [25] , [26] , [27] ]. Second, it can support and promote cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue regeneration, providing favorable conditions for successful tissue engineering [ 22 , 28 , 29 ].…”