Engineered microenvironments for synergistic VEGF - Integrin signalling during vascularization.

ABSTRACT: We have engineered polymer-based microenvironments that promote vasculogenesis both in vitro and in vivo through synergistic integrin-growth factor receptor signalling. Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) triggers spontaneous organization of fibronectin (FN) into nanonetworks which provide availability of critical binding domains. Importantly, the growth factor binding (FNIII_12-14) and integrin binding (FNIII_9-10) regions are simultaneously available on FN fibrils assembled on PEA. This material platform promotes synergistic integrin/VEGF signalling which is highly effective for vascularization events in vitro with low concentrations of VEGF. VEGF specifically binds to FN fibrils on PEA compared to control polymers (poly(methyl acrylate), PMA) where FN remains in a globular co

SUBMITTER: Moulisova V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5354119 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature