Impact of REDV peptide density and its linker structure on the capture, movement, and adhesion of flowing endothelial progenitor cells in microfluidic devices

Ligand-immobilization to stents and vascular grafts is expected promote endothelialization by capturing flowing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). However, the optimized ligand density linker structure have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that EPCs were selectively captured REDV peptide conjugated with a short linker. The microchannel surface was modified via Gly-Gly-Gly (G3), (Gly-Gly-Gly)3 (G9), diethylene glycol (diEG) linkers, moving velocity ratio evaluated. On unmodified microchannels, of exhibited unimodal distribution similar liquid flow. on peptide-immobilized indicated bimodal distribution, approximately 20 30% moved slower than flow, suggesting rolled surface. When immobilized lower 1 molecule/nm2, selective cell capture observed only in G3 diEG but G9 linkers. An silico study revealed tends form bent structure, oriented substrate side. These results EPC sequence-specific manner, more adequate.