Affinity Binding Alginate Biomaterial for the Sustained Delivery of Cardiovascular- Protective Proteins

Introduction Myocardial tissue regeneration is an emerging field of interest, aiming to reintroduce cardiac tissue and/or enhance self-repair of the infarct after myocardial infarction (MI). We developed a novel acellular injectable alginate biomaterial by utilizing the ability of alginate-sulfate to affinity-bind and present heparin-binding proteins. We hypothesized that such affinitybinding bioactive hydrogel would potentially induce tissue restoration and self-repair, by expanding the biomaterial effect beyond passive mechanical stabilization of the ventricle. Here, we aimed to test whether the sustained delivery of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) from such system would enhance its therapeutic properties.