A self-assembled peptide hydrogel for wound repair

The skin is an important protective barrier for human. The epithelial barrier is destroyed following a skin injury, thereby increasing the susceptibility of bacterial infections. After the skin is burned, the standard-of-care for burn wounds is minimizing trauma to the regenerating epidermis and dermis during gauze dressing changes. However, the use of conventional dressings for deep partial- and full-thickness burns always heal slowly. There are several wound dressings currently on the market that are used to cover the wound skin and promote healing. Peptide hydrogels show several beneficial properties. FEFEFKFK (F is phenylalanyl, K is lysinyl and E is glutamyl) can self-assemble to form a self-assembled peptide hydrogel (SAPH) with a nanofiber structure and has great potential in regenerative medicine. The FEFEFKFK-based SAPH (F-SAPH) was explored to be used as a wound dressing. First, there was no difference in the oxygen permeability and moisture permeability detected between F-SAPH and commercially available Comfeel®. In vitro data indicated good biocompatibility of F-SAPH. F-SAPH did not affect cell proliferation and differentiation, nor did it cause inflammatory reaction. In scald models without application of drugs, exogenous cytokines, or cells, F-SAPH reduced the inflammatory reaction, accelerated collagen deposition and epidermal regeneration, thereby promoting wound healing. In summary, F-SAPH acted as an excellent carrier for cell growth through biological simulation of extracellular matrix and retains various beneficial components secreted by cells, thereby contributing to the repair of damaged skin.