Figures & data
Figure 1 d-RADA16-RGD peptide.
Notes: (A) 2% d-RADA16-RGD self-assembling peptides were dissolved in the deionized water. (B) Optical microscopy images of peptide membranes. The colorless membranous structure was formed in PBS (pH 7.4) and transferred to a glass slide. d-RADA16-RGD peptide membrane can be seen by the naked eyes when stained with Congo red. Scale bar: 100 μm. (C) The molecular model of d-EAK16-RGD peptide.
Abbreviation: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline.
Abbreviation: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline.
Figure 2 CD spectra of peptide d-RADA16-RGD at 25°C, 37°C, and 60°C.
Abbreviations: CD, circular dichroism; [θ], ellipticity.
Figure 3 TEM image of 5 mg/mL d-RADA16-RGD peptide nanofibers.
Note: Scale bar: 200 nm.
Abbreviation: TEM, transmission electron microscopy.
Abbreviation: TEM, transmission electron microscopy.
Figure 4 Rheological assays of the chiral peptides.
Notes: The rheological properties of 5.0 mg/mL d-RADA16-RGD hydrogels in 20 mM CaCl2 and NaCl at 25°C.
Abbreviations: G′, the storage modulus; G″, the loss modulus.
Abbreviations: G′, the storage modulus; G″, the loss modulus.
Figure 5 Various peptide hydrogels enhance bone healing and bone morphology change at 8 weeks.
Notes: (A) d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel, (B) bFGF-incorporated d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel, and (C) PBS (pH 7.4). Black arrow: bone defect.
Abbreviations: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor.
Abbreviations: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor.
Figure 6 Osteogenic observation of various peptide hydrogels 8 weeks after implantation.
Notes: The morphology of the explanted femoral condyles undergoes 2D reconstructed micro-CT images, (A) d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel, (B) bFGF-incorporated d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel, and (C) PBS (pH 7.4). Cylinder-shaped defects are depicted in red. Scale bar: 10 mm.
Abbreviations: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; 2D, two-dimensional; micro-CT, micro computed tomography; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor.
Abbreviations: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; 2D, two-dimensional; micro-CT, micro computed tomography; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor.
Figure 7 Osteogenic observation of various peptide hydrogels 8 weeks after implantation.
Notes: Morphometric analysis of (A) BV/TV, (B) BMD, and (C) Tb Th, Group 1: d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel + PBS (pH 7.4), Group 2: d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel + bFGF, and Group 3: PBS (pH 7.4). There was a significant difference between groups (*P<0.05).
Abbreviations: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; BV/TV, bone volume per tissue volume; BMD, bone mean density; Tb Th, trabecular thickness.
Abbreviations: PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; BV/TV, bone volume per tissue volume; BMD, bone mean density; Tb Th, trabecular thickness.
Figure 8 Histological analyses of the explants 8 weeks (A–C) and 12 weeks (D–F) after implantation.
Notes: Histological sections of the rat femoral condyle defects and stained by H&E. (A, D) d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel, (B, E) bFGF-incorporated d-RADA16-RGD hydrogel, and (C, F) PBS (pH 7.4). Scale bar: 200 μm, magnification: 100×.
Abbreviations: bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; H&E, hematoxylin and eosin; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline.
Abbreviations: bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; H&E, hematoxylin and eosin; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline.
