Growth factor-free, peptide-functionalized gelatin hydrogel promotes arteriogenesis and attenuates tissue damage in a murine model of critical limb ischemia.

ABSTRACT: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) occurs when blood flow is restricted through the arteries, resulting in ulcers, necrosis, and chronic wounds in the downstream extremities. The development of collateral arterioles (i.e. arteriogenesis), either by remodeling of pre-existing vascular networks or de novo growth of new vessels, can prevent or reverse ischemic damage, but it remains challenging to stimulate collateral arteriole development in a therapeutic context. Here, we show that a gelatin-based hydrogel, devoid of growth factors or encapsulated cells, promotes arteriogenesis and attenuates tissue damage in a murine CLI model. The gelatin hydrogel is functionalized with a peptide derived from the extracellular epitope of Type 1 cadherins. Mechanistically, these "GelCad" hydrogels promote

SUBMITTER: Curry CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10245920 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature