Covalently immobilized adhesive peptide

Many materials have been modified to contain covalently immobilized adhesive peptide sequences, as summarized in Table III [reviewed in Harbers et al. (2002) and West and Hubbell (1997)]. Interaction of cells with peptide-modified surfaces can occur directly, without mediation by adsorbed proteins. Issues that affect selectivity in cellular attachment to peptide-modified surfaces include spacer length, peptide surface... 

Brandley, B. K. and Schnaar, R. L. (1989). Tumor cell haptotaxis on covalently immobilized linear and exponential gradients of a cell adhesion peptide. Dev. Biol. 135, 74-86. 

A scaffold material can provide cues that will direct and control the cell-matrix interactions to promote and regulate tissue regeneration. Biochemical signals such as matrix proteins, adhesive peptides, and growth factors can be incorporated into a material by nonspecific adsorption or through covalent immobilization. Since many mammalian cells require adhesion for cell viability, these molecules can provide the essential cues for cell attachment. 

In order to improve the mucosal absorption of poorly absorbed drugs such as peptides and proteins, newer delivery systems with higher mucoadhesive and permeation-enhancing polymers have been developed. While the first generation of mucoadhesive polymers provided adhesion to the mucus gel layer via secondary bonds, the new generation of mucoadhesive polymers is able to form covalent bonds with the mucous layer. The immobilization of thiol groups on mucoadhesive polymers results in thiolated polymers or thiomers that can form disulfide bonds with cysteine-rich subdomains of mucus glycoproteins [84,85]. 

Massia, S.P. and Hubbell, J.A., Covalent surface immobilization of Arg ly Asp- and Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-containing peptides to obtain weU-defined cell-adhesive substrates. Anal. Biochem., 1990,187 292-301. 

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