Hydrogel is a potential wound dressing material due to its ability to maintain a humid environment, the strong absorptive capacity of exuded tissue fluid, and gas exchange function. Herein, poly(N-isopropyl...
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an effective growth and angiogenic cytokine, which stimulates proliferation and survival of endothelial cells, and promotes angiogenesis and vascular permeability. Binding VEGF with heparin could protect it from rapid degradation, subsequently allowing it to be controlled release. Primarily, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and keratin were coelectrospun, followed by conjugating with heparin and subsequently binding VEGF. The loaded heparin and VEGF on these mats were quantified, respectively. The surface characteristics of mats were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The VEGF delivery results indicated these mats could sustainably release VEGF for 2 weeks. Cell viability assays suggested these mats were valid to accelerate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) proliferation, while inhibit human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) growth under the combined actions of VEGF and heparin. The results tested by blood clotting times (APTT, PT, and TT), hemolysis, and platelet adhesion indicated the mats were blood compatible. To sum up, these biocomposite mats are ideal scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering. K E Y W O R D S heparin, keratin, vascular tissue engineering, VEGF
Tissue-engineered
vascular graft (TEVG) is a promising alternative
to meet the clinical demand of organ shortages. Herein, human hair
keratin was extracted by the reduction method, followed by modification
with zwitterionic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) through
thiol–Michael addition to improve blood clotting nature. Then,
phosphobetainized keratin (PK) was coelectrospun with poly(ε-caprolactone)
(PCL) to afford PCL/PK mats with a ratio of 7:3. The surface morphology,
chemical structure, and wettability of these mats were characterized.
The biocomposite mats selectively enhanced adhesion, migration, and
growth of endothelial cells (ECs) while suppressed proliferation of
smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the presence of glutathione (GSH) and
GSNO due to the catalytic generation of NO. In addition, these mats
exhibited good blood anticoagulant activity by reducing platelet adhesion,
prolonging blood clotting time, and inhibiting hemolysis. Taken together,
these NO-generating PCL/PK mats have potential applications as a scaffold
for vascular tissue engineering with rapid endothelialization and
reduced SMC proliferation.
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