Affinity-Immobilization of VEGF on Laminin Porous Sponge Enhances Angiogenesis in the Ischemic Brain.

Ischemic brain stroke is caused by blood flow interruption, leading to focal ischemia, neuron death, and motor, sensory, and/or cognitive dysfunctions. Angiogenesis, neovascularization from existing blood vessel, is essential for tissue growth and repair. Proangiogenic therapy for stroke is promising for preventing excess neuron death and improving functional recovery. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a critical factor for angiogenesis by promoting the proliferation, the survival, and the migration of endothelial cells. Here, angiogenic biomaterials to support injured brain regeneration are developed. Porous laminin (LN)-rich sponge (LN-sponge), on which histidine-tagged VEGF (VEGF-Histag) is immobilized via affinity interaction is developed. In an in vivo mouse stroke model, transplanting VEGF-Histag-LN-sponge produces remarkably stronger angiogenic activity than transplanting LN-sponge with soluble VEGF. The findings indicate that using affinity interactions to immobilize VEGF is a practical approach for developing angiogenic biomaterials for regenerating the injured brain.