title: Modulated fibronectin anchorage at polymer substrates controls angiogenesis.
abstract: A set of maleic anhydride copolymer thin films exhibiting well-defined differences in hydrophobicity and reactivity was compared with respect to the capability of supporting angiogenesis of human endothelial cells grown in contact. The physicochemical surface characteristics of the polymer substrates were found to modulate the anchorage of immobilized fibronectin. This was demonstrated to determine whether endothelial cells grow as a monolayer or form capillary networks. Enhanced reorganization of predeposited fibronectin into cell-matrix adhesions and slightly elevated levels of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP-14) occurred with weakly bound fibronectin layers where angiogenesis was most obvious. The key role of fibronectin-substrate binding for angiogenesis-under otherwise constant conditions-was further confirmed by the absence of variations in the expression of angiogenesis-related integrins (alpha(v)beta(3)) and in the secretion of the metalloproteinase MMP-2. Altogether, the results of this study point at the relevance of physicochemical surface characteristics of polymer materials for the stimulation of angiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Polymer Research Dresden and Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Dresden, Germany. pompe-tilo@ipfdd.de
authors.forename: Tilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pompe
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Markowski
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides; D011108:Polymers