Complementary Density Gradient of Poly(hydroxyethyl
methacrylate) and YIGSR Selectively Guides Migration of Endotheliocytes
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Abstract
Selective
enhancement of directional migration of endotheliocytes
(ECs) over vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays a significant
role for the fast endothelialization of blood-contacting implants,
in particular for the antirestenosis of vascular stents. Herein, a
complementary density gradient of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)
(PHEMA) brushes and YIGSR peptide, a sequence specifically improving
the mobility of ECs, was fabricated using a dynamically controlled
reaction process. The gradients were visualized by fluorescent labeling
and further quantified by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and
quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-d). The ECs exhibited
preferential orientation and enhanced directional migration behavior
on the gradient surface toward the region of lower PHEMA density and
higher YIGSR density. The migration rate of the ECs was significantly
enhanced to 5-fold, whereas the mobility of SMCs was not significantly
influenced, leading to faster migration of ECs than SMCs. Therefore,
the success of the complementary gradient relies on the appropriate
interplay between the PHEMA brushes and the cell-specific ligands,
enabling the selective guidance of EC migration