Surface modification of biomimetic PLGA-(ASP-PEG) matrix with RGD-containing peptide: a new non-viral vector for gene transfer and tissue engineering

RGD-containing peptide (K16-GRGDSPC), characterized as non-viral gene vectors, was fabricated to modify the surface of PLGA-[ASP-PEG] matrix, which offered the foundation for gene transfer with porous matrix of gene activated later. Peptide was synthesized and matrix was executed into chips A, B and chip C. Chip C was regarded as control. Chips A and B were reacted with cross-linker. Then chip A was reacted with peptide. MS and HPLC were used to detect the MW and purity of peptide. Sulphur, existing on the surface of biomaterials, was detected by XPS. The purity of un-reacted peptide in residual solution was detected by a spectrophotometer. HPLC shows that the peptide purity was 94%–95%, and MS shows that the MW was 2 741.3307. XPS reveals that the binding energy of sulphur was 164 eV and the ratio of carbon to sulphur (C/S) was 99.746:0.1014 in reacted chip A. The binding energy of sulphur in reacted chip B was 164 eV and 162 eV, C/S was 99.574:0.4255, and there was no sulphur in chip C. Peptide was manufactured and linked to the surface of biomimetic and 3-D matrix, which offered the possibilities for gene transfer and tissue engineering with this new kind of non-viral gene vector.