Biomacromolecules, Vol.16, No.7, 2209-2219, 2015
Sequence-Dependent Structural Stability of Self-Assembled Cylindrical Nanofibers by Peptide Amphiphiles
Three-dimensional networks of nanofibers, which are formed through self-assembly of peptide amphiphiles, serve as a biomimetic hydrogel scaffold for tissue engineering. With an emphasis to improve hydrogel properties for cell-specific behavior, a better understanding between structural characteristics and physical properties of the macroscopic gel is sought. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations were performed on two PA sequences with identical composition (palmitoyl-V(3)A(3)E(3) and palmitoyl-A(3)V(3)E(3)) showing different self-assembly kinetic mechanisms. While both sequences yielded cylindrical nanofibers, these structures have contrasting internal arrangement with respect to the hydrophobic core; the former is continuous with predominately alkyl tails, whereas the latter is disjointed with interconnecting micelles. Two additional sequences (palmitoyl-V6E3 and palmitoyl-A(6)E(3)) were examined to determine the effects of a homogeneous beta-sheet forming segment that is either strongly or mildly hydrophobic on self-assembly. Results from this study indicate that internal structural arrangement of nanofibers can provide a correlation with structural stability and mechanical behavior of hydrogel nanostructures.