Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Due to the unique biocompatibility and bioactivity, functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds can be used to promote angiogenesis.
OBJECTIVE: To design and screen the functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds that can promote endothelial cell angiogenesis.
METHODS: The designed and selected functionalized peptide sequences were directly extended on the self-assembling peptide RADA16-I through solid phase synthesis at the C-termini to increase the angiogenic activities of RADA16-I peptide scaffolds by CPC Scientific. The functionalized self-assembling peptide was mixed with RADA16-I at the ratio of 1: 1. Then, the mixture was added into sterile culture plate and cultured at 37 ℃ overnight to form gel. pH value was mediated by changing culture medium. Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells were cultured on the surface of the peptide scaffolds for two-dimensional culture. The functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds were characterized by circular dichroism spectrum and atomic force microscopy image.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The structure of functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds is quite similar with Matrigel and they are uniformed nanofiber materials. These two designer functionalized peptides, KLT and PRG, have been demonstrated to significantly enhance endothelial cell adhesion, survival and rapid proliferation. The scaffolds of RAD/KLT and RAD/PRG can be used for the study of promoting endothelial cell angiogenesis.