Self-Assembling glycopeptide hydrogels induce the differentiation of stem cells into neural lineages

Proteoglycans are one of the constituents of the extracellular matrix (ECM), presenting significant and diverse biological roles, e.g. acting as storage depots of proteins, activation of growth factors, and co-receptors at the cell surface. In particular, heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans are present in the ECM of the central nervous system and are essential in neurogenesis.¹ Herein, we designed a minimalistic HS-mimicking glycopeptide amphiphile, i.e. Fmoc-diphenylalanine-glucosamine-6-sulfate (Fmoc-FF-GlcN6S), that self-assembles into nanofibers (similar to its nanomorphological presentation in the ECM) and gel under physiological conditions.² Its supramolecular organization and subsequent gelation were induced using temperature (T) or solvent (S) switch methods. In the T method, the glycopeptide was dissolved in water at a temperature of 90°C and gelation was promoted by cooling the solution to room temperature. In the S method, the glycopeptide was dissolved in DMSO, followed by its dilution into water, which also induced spontaneous gelation.