Research Progress Of Self-Assembling Peptide Nanofiber Scaffold For Bone Repair

OBJECTIVETo review the current situation of bone repair materials, the biological characteristics of self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) as well as its potential to induce bone repair.METHODSApproximately 200 literatures regarding bone repair materials, SAPNS and its application in bone repair were extensively searched, in which 147 literatures have important relationships with these themes, and they have been analyzed and reviewed.RESULTSThe development of bone repair materials have gained some important progress in recent years, but there are still some challenges:1) The mechanical force of polymer materials is not sufficient; 2) There is ion release, corrosion and stress shielding when using metal materials; 3) Bioceramics materials suffer from high brittleness, poor toughness, slow degradation and even non-degradation; 4) Some composite materials can not overcome the shortcomgings of their components. Many studies have revealed that SAPNS has the ability to promote the function of bone cells (e.g. adherence, proliferation and differentiation), and facilitate neo-bone tissue formation in vivo. SAPNS have the properties of good biocompatibility, osteogenic activity and dagradation. Especially, two important approaches of modification with FM and controlled release of growth factors can significantly enhance cellular function and bone healing. But 3D scaffold materials formed by self-assembling peptides have insufficient mechanical force (i.e. poor compression strength, resistance to shear force and poor toughness) for bone repair. Thus, their mechanical strength needs further optimization.CONCLUSIONSThe studies regarding cell culture in vitro and neo-bone formation in vivo have revealed that SAPNS may be an ideal material for bone repair, but its biologically mechanical properties need further improvement. Fabricatioin of self-assembling peptide-based composite biomaterials may be an important approach to obtain the features of good bioactivity and appropriate mechanical force of designed materials. The methods of optimizing self-assembling peptide-based composite biomaterials mainly include:1) the combination of SAPNS with other materials with sufficient mechanical force and appropriate prosify,2) modification with FM, controlled release of signal molecules and seeding cells, and 3) control of degradation rate corresponding to the ingrowth of bone tissue, at last complete degradation.