Hydrogel scaffolds composed of genetically synthesized self-assembling peptides for three-dimensional cell culture

Abstract

Peptides were genetically produced that were composed of two or three repeats of the self-assembling peptide RADA16 (RADARADARADARADA), and referred to as RADA16 × 2 and RADA16 × 3, respectively. These peptides were expressed as fusion proteins that retained the activity of the fusion partner protein. The expressed peptides exhibited both fibril formation and the ability to support cell adhesive activity. Moreover, hydrogels formed by the peptides via the addition of a medium provided a three-dimensional environment for cell proliferation. © 2013 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan (SPSJ) All rights reserved.