A structurally self-assembled peptide nano-architecture by one-step electrospinning

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Self-assembling peptides (SAPs) form nanostructures but have weak mechanical properties.
• Incorporating SAPs into polymer matrices can improve mechanical stability.
• Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a biocompatible polymer often used in biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To incorporate the P11-8 peptide into PCL fibrous webs via electrospinning.
• To investigate the relationship between the electrospinning process, peptide conformation, and material architecture.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties, surface characteristics, and biocompatibility of the resulting composite material.

Main Methods:

• One-step electrospinning of PCL solutions containing varying concentrations of P11-8 peptide.
• Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to analyze peptide conformation.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for fiber morphology analysis (implied).
• Contact angle measurements to assess surface wettability.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assays using L929 mouse fibroblasts.

Main Results:

• Electrospinning produced fibers in both nano- and submicron ranges, with peptide concentration influencing nano-scale structure.
• FTIR and CD spectroscopy indicated peptide self-assembly into β-sheet structures during electrospinning.
• Contact angles decreased significantly, indicating enhanced wettability.
• Electrospun peptide-loaded samples showed high cell viability (>90%), demonstrating minimal cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• A novel nanofibrous PCL/P11-8 peptide composite was successfully fabricated via electrospinning.
• The process facilitates peptide self-assembly within the PCL matrix, enhancing material properties.
• This material platform shows promise for applications such as hard tissue repair due to its biocompatibility and structural characteristics.