Self-assembling peptide hydrogel scaffold accelerates healing of patellar tendon injury: A histological and biomechanical study

Although KI24RGDS peptide hydrogel that acts as a cell adhesion has been reported to repair tissue in meniscus injury, its effect on tendon injuries remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of KI24RGDS for tendon repair based on histological and biomechanical evaluation. After introducing defects (length: 10 mm; width: 3 mm) at the centers of rabbits' patellar tendons, and the KI24RGDS group was implanted with KI24RGDS and observed for 8 weeks. KI24RGDS implantation resulted in limited tendon elongation and better histological scores with uniformed collagen fiber orientation and early vascularization. The failure load of the patellar tendon was higher in the KI24RGDS group than that in the defect group (p < 0.05) and no significant difference with the control group (intact patellar tendon) at 8 weeks postoperatively. In conclusion, KI24RGDS administration might have therapeutic potential for tendon injuries by accelerating collagen remodeling.