An integrin-specific collagen-mimetic peptide approach for optimizing Hep3B liver cell adhesion, proliferation, and cellular functions

Abstract

This study focused on mimicking collagen structurally and biologically using various peptide sequences toward realizing an artificial collagen-like biomaterial. Collagen-mimetic peptides (CMPs) incorporating integrin-specific glycine-phenylalanine-hydroxyproline-glycine-glutamate-arginine (GFOGER) sequence from residues 502 to 507 of collagen α1(I) were used as a bioadhesive matrix and grafted onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co3- hydroxyvalerate) microspheres to optimize cell adhesion, proliferation, and functions. Cell recognition of these biomolecules appeared to be conformation dependent, with the CMP1 of higher triple helix stability being preferred. Absence of the GFOGER hexapeptide in the CMP1′ and CMP2′ caused an adverse effect on the level of cell adhesion (