title: A biomimetic peptide fluorosurfactant polymer for endothelialization of ePTFE with limited platelet adhesion.
abstract: Endothelialization of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) has the potential to improve long-term patency for small-diameter vascular grafts. Successful endothelialization requires ePTFE surface modification to permit cell attachment to this otherwise non-adhesive substrate. We report here on a peptide fluorosurfactant polymer (FSP) biomimetic construct that promotes endothelial cell (EC)-selective attachment, growth, shear stability, and function on ePTFE. The peptide FSP consists of a flexible poly(vinyl amine) backbone with EC-selective peptide ligands for specific cell adhesion and pendant fluorocarbon branches for stable anchorage to underlying ePTFE. The EC-selective peptide (primary sequence: Cys-Arg-Arg-Glu-Thr-Ala-Trp-Ala-Cys, CRRETAWAC) has demonstrated high binding affinity for the alpha(5)beta(1) integrin found on ECs. Here, we demonstrate low affinity of CRRETAWAC for platelets and platelet integrins, thus providing it with EC-selectivity. This EC-selectivity could potentially facilitate rapid in vivo endothelialization and healing without thrombosis for small-diameter ePTFE vascular grafts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Wickenden 309, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Coby C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Faina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kligman
authors.forename: Chad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Kandice
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kottke-Marchant
authors.forename: Roger E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Marchant
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene