Matrix-Bound VEGF Mimetic Peptides: Design and Endothelial Cell Activation in Collagen Scaffolds.

ABSTRACT: Long term survival and success of artificial tissue constructs depend greatly on vascularization. Endothelial cell (EC) differentiation and vasculature formation are dependent on spatio-temporal cues in the extracellular matrix that dynamically interact with cells, a process difficult to reproduce in artificial systems. Here we present a novel bifunctional peptide that mimics matrix-bound vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and can be used to encode spatially controlled angiogenic signals in collagen scaffolds. The peptide is comprised of a collagen mimetic domain that was previously reported to bind to type I collagen by a unique hybridization mechanism, and a VEGF mimetic domain with pro-angiogenic activity. Circular dichroism and collagen binding studies confirm the triple helical

SUBMITTER: Chan TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4547390 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature