title: Peptide gel in a scaffold as a composite matrix for endothelial cells.
abstract: The performance of a composite environment with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) has been studied to provide an in vitro proof of concept of their potential of being easily vascularized. These cells were seeded in 1 mm thick scaffolds whose pores had been filled with a self-assembling peptide gel, seeking to improve cell adhesion, and viability of these very sensitive cells. The combination of the synthetic elastomer poly(ethyl acrylate), PEA, scaffold and the RAD16-I peptide gel provides cells with a friendly ECM-like environment inside a mechanically resistant structure. Immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the cell cultures. The presence of the self-assembling peptide filling the pores of the scaffolds resulted in a truly 3D nanoscale context mimicking the extracellular matrix environment, and led to increased cells survival, proliferation as well as developed cell-cell contacts. The combined system consisting of PEA scaffolds and RAD16-I, is a very interesting approach as seems to enhance endothelization, which is the first milestone to achieve vascularized constructs.
authors: Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica De València, C. De Vera S/N, Valencia, 46022, Spain.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Martínez-Ramos
authors: Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica De València, C. De Vera S/N, Valencia, 46022, Spain.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Arnal-Pastor
authors: Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica De València, C. De Vera S/N, Valencia, 46022, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Vallés-Lluch
authors: Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica De València, C. De Vera S/N, Valencia, 46022, Spain.|Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Manuel Monleón
authors: MM
authors: Pradas
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides
keywords: HUVEC; endothelial markers; flow cytometry; scaffolds; self-assembling peptide