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Self-assembling Peptide Scaffolds Promote Enamel Remineralization

J. Kirkham^1,*, A. Firth^1,2, D. Vernals², N. Boden², C. Robinson¹, R.C. Shore¹, S.J. Brookes¹, and A. Aggeli^2,

¹ Department of Oral Biology, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, Clarendon Way, Leeds LS2 9LU, UK; and
² Centre for Self Organising Molecular Systems, School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, UK

^* corresponding author, J.Kirkham{at}leeds.ac.uk

Rationally designed ß-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.

KEY WORDS: biomimetic • self-assembly • peptides • scaffolds • hydroxyapatite • remineralization