Self-Assembling Hydrogel Structures for Neural Tissue Repair

Hydrogel materials have been employed as biological scaffolds for tissue regeneration across a wide range of applications. Their versatility and biomimetic properties make them an optimal choice treating the complex delicate milieu neural damage. Aside from finely tailored hydrogel properties, which aim to mimic healthy physiological tissue, minimally invasive delivery method is essential prevent off-target surgery-related complications. The specific class injectable hydrogels termed self-assembling peptides (SAPs), provide ideal combination in situ polymerization combined with biofunctionlization, tunable physicochemical high cytocompatibility. This review identifies design criteria based upon key cellular interactions extracellular matrix (ECM), emphasis on aspects that are reproducible biomaterial environment. Examples most recent SAPs modification methods presented, focus biological, mechanical, topographical cues. Furthermore, SAP electrical appropriate electrochemical cues widely discussed, light endogenous activity well clinical effectiveness stimulation treatments. Recent applications repair therapies highlighted, identifying research gaps field regeneration.