BIOLOGICAL MOLECULE-IMPREGNATED POLYESTER - AN IN-VIVO ANGIOGENESIS STUDY

Specific extracellular matrix molecules and growth factors (GFs) with angiogenic properties could be combined with biomaterials to enhance a ngiogenesis and subsequently tissue ingrowth through the wall of the p orous structure. In this study, composite fibrin matrices containing h yaluronic acid (HA), fibronectin (FN) and/or fibroblast growth factor- 1 (FGF-1), FGF-2 and an endothelial cell growth supplement (EGGS) were adsorbed onto Dacron(R) meshes which were then implanted subcutaneous ly in mice. The release from the implants and the tissue distribution of implanted GFs were determined in vivo using radiolabelled FGF-2. An giogenesis was quantified by counting the number of capillaries presen t in each Dacron(R) histological serial section. Radiolabelled GF was rapidly released from matrices and was absent from them by day 28. A v ery low percentage of the implanted radiolabelled GFs was found in the kidneys and livers of the animals. The number of microvessels formed within fibrin-impregnated samples was increased in the presence of HA and EGGS at 14d and of FN and EGGS or FGF-2 at 28d. FGF-1 had no direc t effect on angiogenesis in our model. These results indicate that. en hancement of vascularization within prosthesis mesh may be achieved by using fibrin as a support for angiogenic molecules such as HA, FN and FGFs. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited