Attachment of flexible heparin chains to gelatin scaffolds improves endothelial cell infiltration.

ABSTRACT: Long-term survival of implanted cells requires oxygen and nutrients, the need for which is met by vascularization of the implant. The use of scaffolds with surface-attached heparin as anchoring points for angiogenic growth factors has been reported to improve this process. We examined the potential role of surface modification of gelatin scaffolds in promoting endothelial cell infiltration by using a unique macromolecular conjugate of heparin as a coating. Compared to other heparin coatings, this surface modification provides flexible heparin chains, representing a new concept in heparin conjugation. In vitro cell infiltration of scaffolds was assessed using a three-dimensional model in which the novel heparin surface, without growth factors, showed a 2.5-fold increase in the number of inf

SUBMITTER: Leijon J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3638622 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature