title: Functional Modification of Fibrous PCL Scaffolds with Fusion Protein VEGF-HGFI Enhanced Cellularization and Vascularization.
abstract: The lack of efficient vascularization within frequently used poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds has hindered their application in tissue engineering. Hydrophobin HGFI, an amphiphilic protein, can form a self-assembly layer on the surface of PCL scaffolds and convert their wettability. In this study, a fusion protein consisting of HGFI and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is prepared by Pichia pastoris expression system. Sodium dodecyl sulface-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blotting confirm that the VEGF-HGFI is successfully isolated and purified. Transmission electron microscope and water contact angle measurement demonstrate that VEGF-HGFI can form a self-assembly layer with about 25 nm in thickness on electrospun PCL fibers and increase their hydrophilicity. VEGF-HGFI modification can effectively enhance the adhesion, migration, and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging shows that the VEGF-HGFI modification on PCL scaffolds can exist at least 21 d in vitro and at least 14 d in vivo. Bioluminescence imaging shows that VEGF-HGFI can effectively activate vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 receptors. Subcutaneous implantation in mice and rats reveal that cellularization and vascularization are significantly improved in VEGF-HGFI modified PCL scaffolds. These results suggest that VEGF-HGFI is a useful molecule for functional modification of scaffolds to enhance cellularization and vascularization in tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
authors.forename: Liqiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Shaoyang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Yiwa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Qiuying
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
authors.forename: Dongmin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Xiangxiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China.
authors.forename: Guowei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Ruming
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
authors.forename: Haijin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China. 013053@nankai.edu.cn, qiaomq@nankai.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Mingqiang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 3000071, China.
authors.forename: Deling
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000737:chemistry*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011091:Polyesters; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C016240:polycaprolactone; C000588866:KDR protein, human; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
keywords: PCL scaffolds; VEGF; fusion proteins; hydrophobin; vascularization