A collagen-mimetic triple helical supramolecule that evokes integrin-dependent cell responses

Chisato M. Yamazaki, Yuichi Kadoya, Kentaro Hozumi, Hitomi Okano-Kosugi, Shinichi Asada, Kouki Kitagawa, Motoyoshi Nomizu, Takaki Koide*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Collagen is an abundantly distributed extracellular matrix protein in mammalian bodies that maintains structural integrity of the organs and tissues. Besides its function as a structural protein, collagen has various biological functions which regulate cell adhesion, migration and differentiation. In order to develop totally synthetic collagen-surrogates, we recently reported a basic concept for preparing collagen-like triple helical supramolecules based on the self-assembly of staggered trimeric peptides with self-complementary shapes. In this paper, we add one of the specific cellular functions of the native collagen to the collagen-mimetic supramolecule. We synthesized a self-assembling peptide unit containing the integrin-binding sequence Gly-Phe-Hyp-Gly-Glu-Arg. The supramolecule carrying the sequence exhibited significant binding activity to human dermal fibroblasts. The supramolecular structure was found to be essential for function in in vitro cell culture. Cell adhesion was shown to be comparable to that of native collagen, and was further demonstrated to be mediated solely by integrin α2β1. Well-grown focal contacts and stress fibers were observed in cells spread on the supramolecular collagen-mimetic. The results demonstrate the potential of peptide-based artificial collagen as a biomaterial for regulating specific cellular function and fate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1925-1934
Number of pages10
JournalBiomaterials
Volume31
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Mar

Keywords

  • Cell adhesion
  • Collagen
  • ECM (extracellular matrix)
  • Integrin
  • Peptide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Biophysics
  • Biomaterials
  • Mechanics of Materials

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