title: Improving endothelial healing with novel chimeric mitogens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chimeric proteins may be used to direct cell-specific activity. Heparin-binding growth-associated molecule (HBGAM) binds to cell receptors that are relatively more robust on endothelial cells, and it may confer endothelial cell selectivity to potent angiogens such as fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1).
  
  
  METHODS
  By ligating fibroblast growth factor or its potent mutant, S130K, to HBGAM, we tested their effect on re-endothelialization after angioplasty injury by using a canine model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both HBGAM/S130K- and HBGAM/FGF-1-treated arteries had increased neointimal mitotic index and re-endothelialization rates at 30 days compared with control arteries without inducing a significant increase in the neointimal thickness or the ratio of neointimal to medial thickness between treatment and control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBGAM/S130K and HBGAM/FGF-1 facilitates endothelial healing without myointimal thickening after canine carotid artery balloon angioplasty injury. Application of these growth factors in fibrin glue may improve endothelialization clinically after angioplasty or endarterectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Loyola University, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brewster
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Brey
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Addis
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Husak
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ellinger
authors.forename: Christian C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Haudenschild
authors.forename: Howard P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Greisler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004285:Dogs; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008940:Mitotic Index; D023421:Models, Animal; D050506:Mutant Chimeric Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D050506:Mutant Chimeric Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C494171:S130K-HBGAM chimeric protein; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; C066845:pleiotrophin