title: Local delivery of proteins and the use of self-assembling peptides.
abstract: Self-assembling peptides are members of a new class of molecules designed for tissue engineering and protein delivery. Upon injection in a physiological environment, self-assembling peptides form stable nanofiber hydrogels. Such biocompatible nanofibers can support three-dimensional growth and differentiation of many cell types. Self-assembling peptides are promising candidates for protein delivery, because they allow non-covalent binding of proteins, tethering of proteins, or incorporation of fusion proteins. Self-assembling peptides can be designed to deliver individual proteins or multiple factors, because the building blocks comprising self-assembling peptides can be designed with great flexibility.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent F M
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Segers
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins