Vascular Healing with VEGF-Collagen Binding Chimera

Loyola University Chicago, Maywood IL

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Rapid confluent endothelialization decreases platelet deposition and lessens smooth muscle cell growth, minimizing thrombosis and hyperplasia after vascular interventions. VEGF121 is a soluble EC mitogen and angiogen; it will be fused to a collagen-binding domain to form a unique chimera (VEGF-CBD). Once localized to collagen, it should promote endothelialization through several mechanisms. Aim #1 is to create VEGF-CBD, define its ability to bind to collagen type I and to exposed vessel wall collagen, and to promote in vitro EC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis quantitatively. The hypotheses are: that VEGF-CBD will promote EC proliferation and migration in vitro without stimulating SMCs, that it will bind to collagen in vitro and to exposed vessel wall collagen in vivo prolonging bioavailability. Aim #2 is to quantify in vivo: EC and SMC proliferation, luminal re-endothelializaton, and myointimal response to VEGF-CBD with an endothelial injury model. The hypothesis is that VEGF-CBD, delivered in vivo to the extracellular matrix, will promote confluent re-endothelialization that minimizes myointimal hyperplasia. Future promise for VEGFCBD may apply to intimal healing, surface endothelialization, and capillarization of and engineered tissues.