Self-assembling Peptide Scaffolds Promote Enamel Remineralization

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 86; no. 5; pp. 426 - 430
• Main Authors: Kirkham, J., Firth, A., Vernals, D., Boden, N., Robinson, C., Shore, R.C., Brookes, S.J., Aggeli, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SAGE Publications 01.05.2007; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Biomimetic Materials - chemistry; Crystallization; Dental Caries - therapy; Dental Enamel - chemistry; Dentistry; Durapatite - chemistry; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Peptides - chemistry; Protein Structure, Secondary; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tooth Remineralization - methods; remineralization; self-assembly; hydroxyapatite; peptides; scaffolds; biomimetic
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/154405910708600507

Rationally designed β-sheet-forming peptides that spontaneously form three-dimensional fibrillar scaffolds in response to specific environmental triggers may potentially be used in skeletal tissue engineering, including the treatment/prevention of dental caries, via bioactive surface groups. We hypothesized that infiltration of caries lesions with monomeric low-viscosity peptide solutions would be followed by in situ polymerization triggered by conditions of pH and ionic strength, providing a biomimetic scaffold capable of hydroxyapatite nucleation, promoting repair. Our aim was to determine the effect of an anionic peptide applied to caries-like lesions in human dental enamel under simulated intra-oral conditions of pH cycling. Peptide treatment significantly increased net mineral gain by the lesions, due to both increased remineralization and inhibition of demineralization over a five-day period. The assembled peptide was also capable of inducing hydroxyapatite nucleation de novo. The results suggest that self-assembling peptides may be useful in the modulation of mineral behavior during in situ dental tissue engineering.