Hybrid Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogels Promote Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice

The treatment of diabetic wounds is highly important, as long-term nonclosure of chronic wounds is exceedingly painful for patients and can even lead to amputation. Inducing vascularization remains a significant challenge in diabetic wound healing. This article describes a hybrid peptide hydrogel based on pH-sensitive self-assembling and coassembling peptides. To repair tissue in diabetic wounds, Ac-FKFEFKFE-QHREDGS-NH2 (F-Q) and Ac-FKFEFKFE-GRGDS-NH2 (F-G) were hybridized to generate hydrogels. QHREDGS is derived from angiopoietin-1, whereas GRGDS is derived from osteopontin. Coassembly of F-Q and F-G yielded a bioactive hydrogel (F-Q/F-G) with the outstanding stability and the ability to stimulate endothelial cell growth, adhesion, and migration. The levels of CD31, bFGF, and VEGF in HUVECs exposed to the self-assembled functional peptide hydrogels were significantly greater than those in the control group, indicating that these factors could promote angiogenesis. When the F-Q or F-G hydrogel was applied to the skin defect region of diabetic rodents, angiogenesis and re-epithelialization were stimulated. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the F-Q/F-G hydrogel is a biomaterial with potential for promoting wound healing and vascular regeneration in the epidermis.