title: Heparin-conjugated gelatin as a growth factor immobilization scaffold.
abstract: Tissue engineering requires growth factors, cells and a scaffold to permit effective tissue regeneration. This study aimed to develop a scaffold with a focus on immobilizing growth factors within gelatin. We focused on the extracellular matrix and developed a heparin-conjugated gelatin (Hep-gela). Conjugation was confirmed using the alcian blue assay and X-ray diffraction patterns. The mechanical strength and stability of the Hep-gela gel in protease solution were improved compared with collagen gel. Hep-gela was able to immobilize vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) even in the presence of albumin, with an efficiency of 54.2%. Immobilized VEGF promoted proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Hep-gela-immobilized VEGF maintained its native biological activity. In summary, Hep-gela has the potential to become an effective material in the field of regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ijima
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006493:Heparin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D055767:Immobilized Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D055767:Immobilized Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005780:Gelatin; D006493:Heparin; D003094:Collagen