Micropatterned glycopeptide-based supramolecular hydrogels promote the alignment and contractility of cardiomyocytes

Cardiac tissue regeneration is still a challenge in tissue engineering and regenerative
medicine. A functional recovery of the cardiac tissue requires an adequate contractility of exogenous
and/or endogenous cardiomyocytes.¹⁻² Different biomaterials can be used to induce such
contractility. Herein, we propose the use of glycopeptide supramolecular gels. Due to the noncovalent
nature of the supramolecular interactions (e.g. π-π, CH-π), it is possible to generate dynamic
systems³ that respond to different (bio)chemical stimuli. Moreover, these hydrogels can be
micropatterned in order to induce the alignment of cardiomyocytes as in cardiac tissue.
Glycopeptides copycat the glycoproteins of the ECM and thus, are closer ECM mimic at biofunctional
term.⁴