1 research outputs found
Bioactive Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels Functionalized with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Nerve Growth Factor Mimicking Peptides Synergistically Promote Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Various
artificial materials have been fabricated as alternatives
to autologous nerve grafts in peripheral nerve regeneration, and these
afford positive recovery effects without the disadvantages of the
gold standard. In this study, we prepared a three-dimensional functionalized
self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel containing two neurotrophic
peptides (CTDIKGKCTGACDGKQC and RGIDKRHWNSQ derived from nerve growth
factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, respectively) that reflected
the structure and properties of the neural extracellular matrix. The
material was used to promote axonal regrowth and functional recovery.
Scanning electron microscopy revealed a three-dimensional porous matrix
within the hydrogel. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and atomic force
microscopy confirmed that the peptides displayed a β-sheet structure
and self-assembled into long nanofibers. Rheology measurements and
atomic force microscopy indicated that the elasticity of the peptide
hydrogels was close to that of the nerve tissue matrix. In vitro work
with Schwann cells and dorsal root ganglia showed that the hydrogels
exhibited good cell compatibility. Furthermore, the hydrogel containing
CTDIKGKCTGACDGKQC and RGIDKRHWNSQ promoted the neurite outgrowth of
PC12 cells significantly compared to non-functionalized peptide. In
vivo, the hydrogels were placed into chitosan tubes and used to bridge
10 mm long sciatic nerve defects in rats. We found that the combination
of CTDIKGKCTGACDGKQC and RGIDKRHWNSQ accelerated axonal regeneration
and afforded good functional recovery, suggesting that they synergistically
facilitate peripheral nerve regeneration