Self-assembling Peptide Hydrogel Design for Enhanced Osseointegration and Vascularization of Dental Implants

Successful dental implant integration relies on osseointegration, a process requiring both bone formation (osteogenesis) and vascularization (angiogenesis) at the implant site. While conventional surface modification strategies primarily aim to enhance bone cell attachment, they often neglect the critical role of vascular support in tissue regeneration. Peptide hydrogels have emerged as promising materials due to their ability to enhance cell adhesion, mimic the natural environment, and be injectable. In this project, we developed a multifunctional hydrogel incorporating the osteoinductive peptide KLD-12 with the endothelial cell-selective REDV sequence. This KLD-12-REDV hydrogel is designed to create a biomimetic microenvironment that simultaneously promotes osteogenic and vasculogenic processes. The hydrogel's biocompatibility was assessed in vitro using a co-culture system of mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. Rheological analysis confirmed the hydrogel's structural stability, while viability assays demonstrated high cell survival rates. This strategy offers a novel and minimally invasive approach that extends beyond traditional implant surface modifications by integrating bioactive cues to support comprehensive tissue regeneration.