Self-assembled peptide nanostructures and their gels for regenerative medicine applications

Abstract Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have advanced with the opportunities provided by new biomaterials with various characteristics for therapeutic purposes. Self-assembled peptide nanostructures with bioactive signals have been widely utilized as synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) materials. Cell-material interactions have been improved through the incorporation of soluble bioactive molecules, such as growth factors, or surface modification of the materials, such as via incorporation of short bioactive peptide sequences derived from natural ECM proteins. By harnessing these interactions, it is possible to regulate cell fate including viability, proliferation, migration, and differentiation at a molecular level and induce regeneration. This chapter reviews the use of self-assembled peptide nanostructures in wound healing and the regeneration of bone, cartilage, and nerve tissues.