Combining tunable proteolytic sequences and a VEGF-mimetic peptide for the spatiotemporal control of angiogenesis within Elastin-Like Recombinamer scaffolds

One of the main challenges in regenerative medicine is spatiotemporal control angiogenesis, which key for successful repair many tissues, and determines proper integration implant through generation a functional vascular network. To this end, we have designed three-dimensional (3D) model consisting coaxial binary elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) tubular construct. It displays fast slow proteolytic hydrogels on its inner outer part, respectively, both sensitive to urokinase plasminogen activator protease. The ELRs used build scaffold included crosslinkable domains stabilize structure conjugated VEGF-derived peptide (QK) induce angiogenesis. mechanical morphological evaluation ELR proved their suitability soft tissue regeneration. In addition, vitro studies evidenced effect QK endothelial cell spreading anastomosis. Moreover, immunohistochemical analyses after subcutaneous implantation mice showed induction low macrophage response that resolved over time. 3D constructs ability sequence guide infiltration capillary formation pre-designed arrangement constructs. These results set basis application type scaffolds medicine, where spatiotemporally controlled vascularization will help promotion an optimal repair. Herein, show angiogenesis vivo by combination sequences, with degradation kinetics, VEGF-mimetic scaffold. two bioactivities been previously described purposes, but never combined. This work demonstrates act synergistically promoting subsequent vascularization, thus leading evolution space time microstructure within hydrogel-like has not before holds great potential future applications, might be interest substantial part Acta Biomaterialia readership.