Collagen-polymer guidance of vessel network formation and stabilization by endothelial colony forming cells in vitro

Macromol Biosci. 2013 Sep;13(9):1135-49. doi: 10.1002/mabi.201300128. Epub 2013 Jul 5.

Abstract

Vessel morphogenesis is vital to regenerative medicine strategies. Here, collagen polymers, specified by intermolecular cross-link composition, are used to independently vary microstructure (fibril density, interfibril branching) and physical properties (stiffness) to guide 3D vessel network formation by endothelial colony forming cells (ECFC) in vitro. Increasing stiffness, by modulation of fibril density or interfibril branching, increases vessel diameter, length and branching. Oligomer matrices also induce vessel stabilization via type IV collagen deposition. This work shows that ECFC vessel formation depends on the interplay of collagen microstructure and physical properties and names oligomers and intermolecular cross-links as key design parameters for vascular-inductive matrices.

Keywords: endothelial colony forming cells; microstructure; oligomers; type I collagen; vasculogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basement Membrane / drug effects
  • Basement Membrane / metabolism
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Blood Vessels / growth & development*
  • Collagen / pharmacology*
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / drug effects
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Laminin / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Polymers / pharmacology*
  • Sus scrofa
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Laminin
  • Polymers
  • Collagen