Synthetic peptide-coated bone mineral for enhanced osteoblastic activation in vitro and in vivo

A 15-mer synthetic peptide, designated P1, was derived from the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor I and BMP receptor II binding domains of BMP-2 for the purpose of enhancing bone regeneration capacity of inorganic bovine bone mineral. A second peptide, denoted P2, was designed by adding seven glutamic acid residues to the N-terminal of P1 to increase the surface coating efficiency onto bone mineral. The coating efficiency of P1 increased with the concentration of peptide. P2 peptide, in contrast, had a higher coating efficiency at lower peptide concentrations. The peptides properly transduced intracellular signals properly via the Smad and ERK pathways, thereby increasing mineralization in vitro, implying that the peptides alone can induce osteoblastic differentiation. Adhesion of cells to bone mineral was greater when peptides were present than in bone mineral alone. P1- and P2-coated bone mineral increased osteoblastic differentiation, as demonstrated by ALPase activity. P1-coated bone mineral stimulated more new bone regeneration in bone defect sites after 2 weeks than the peptide-free control. These peptides, in combination with bone grafts or implants, have the potential to enhance osteoblastic differentiation and bone regeneration.