Enhancing endothelialization by promoting endothelial cell competitiveness and endothelial function on soft polyelectrolyte multilayer film with matrix-bound VEGF

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Enhancing endothelialization by promoting endothelial cell competitiveness and endothelial function on soft polyelectrolyte multilayer film with matrix-bound VEGF Hao Chang1*, Kefeng Ren1*, Mi Hu1*, He Zhang1* and Jian Ji1* 1 Zhejiang University, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, China Rapid endothelialization of vascular implant has been regarded as an efficient solution to eliminate undesired post-implanting symptoms[1]. Promoting endothelial cell (EC) competitiveness over smooth muscle cell (SMC)[2],[3] and subsequent endothelial function[4] play significant role in success of rapid-endothelialization. To this end, we employed poly(L-lysine)/hyaluronan (PLL/HA) polyelectrolyte multilayer film (PEM)[5] with low crosslinking degrees as soft substrate and incorporated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in soft PEM in a matrix-bound manner. Adhesion and spread of both ECs and SMCs were promoted on the PEM with matrix-bound VEGF, which was associated with VEGF receptor 2. By regulating amount of VEGF incorporated in the PEM, selective EC adhesion was achieved. In addition, ECs were proliferating on PEM with matrix-bound VEGF while SMCs did not, which indicated that PEM with matrix-bound VEGF could efficiently promote EC competitiveness over SMC. Furthermore, the formed EC monolayer on the PEM with matrix-bound VEGF showed better integrity, higher release level of nitric oxide and higher expression level of endothelial function related genes than those on the substrates with high stiffness, which highlighted the benefit of soft substrate in endothelial function. This study provided a promising strategy of surface modification for enhancing endothelialization by promoting both EC competitiveness and endothelial function, which is of great potential in developing a new generation of vascular implants. Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LR15E030002); National Natural Science Foundation of China (51333005, 21374095); the National Basic Research Program of China (2011CB606203); International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of China (2014DFG52320)