Peptide and Protein Presenting Materials for Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering aims to create new tissues and organs to replace those lost to disease, trauma, or congenital defects. However, considerable instruction must be given to the cells forming these new tissues if one is to create a tissue structurally and functionally similar to the native tissue. Materials are ideal for the local presentation of various peptides and proteins that can bind to cell surface receptors and regulate cell function. An overview of techniques to present peptides and proteins from materials, and the utility of these systems in engineering tissues in vitro and in vivo is presented. Successful regeneration of complex tissue structures, such as the engineered bone–cartilage interface shown in the Figure, will likely depend on the design and synthesis of materials presenting appropriate signals to interacting cells. An overview of current techniques to present cell‐interactive proteins and peptides from materials is provided, along with demonstrations of their utility.