Evaluation of cell proliferation and differentiation on a poly(propylene fumarate) 3D scaffold treated with functional peptides

Synthetic polymers were used to fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffold of poly(propylene fumarate)/diethyl fumarate (PPF/DEF). PPF-based materials are good candidates for bone regeneration, because of their non-toxic, biodegradable byproducts, and excellent mechanical properties. However, they exhibit hydrophobic surface properties that have negative effects on cell adhesion. To change the surface properties of a PPF/DEF scaffold, the authors used three peptide modifications (RGD, cyclo RGD, and RGD-KRSR mixture) to the scaffold and tested the effects on MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The results indicated that peptide modification (particularly the RGD-KRDR mixture) altered the hydrophobic surface properties of the PPF/DEF scaffold, and promoted cell adhesion. Thus, it was suggest that peptide modification is a useful method for changing the properties of the PPF/DEF scaffold surface and may be applicable in bone tissue engineering.