Transforming growth factor- fi (TGF- fi) is an important inducing factor for the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and the secretion of collagen II, but the inaccessibility and instability limit its application in clinical practice. In this study, the TGF- fi1-simulating peptide LIANAK (CM) was connected with the self-assembling peptide Ac-(RADA) 4 -CONH 2 (RAD) to obtain the functionalized self-assembling peptide Ac-(RADA) 4 -GG-LIANAK-CONH 2 (RAD-CM). The results indicated that the CM-functionalized RAD hydrogel contributed to the enhanced expressions of chondrogenic genes and extracellular matrix deposition. The self-assembling peptides were then combined with decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix (DCM) to construct a composite scaffold for articular cartilage repair. The CM-functionalized composite scaffold RAD/RAD-CM/DCM (R/C/D) exhibited good bioactivity and structural stability and exhibited satisfactory performance in promoting neocartilage restoration and the reconstruction of the osteochondral unit. This study provides a promising strategy for in situ cartilage regeneration via the stable presentation of TGF- fi1-simulating peptide.
NSTL
Elsevier
