Controlling Angiogenic Response of Endothelial Cells via Intracellular Microparticle Depot containing Growth Factors

Controlling of endothelial cell and its microenvironment is crucial to promote angiogenic response during tissue regeneration. However, current strategies are limited to genetic cellular engineering or matrix-based methods which are complex and highly variable. To overcome this, we engineer endothelial cells by intracellular loading of growth factor containing microparticles. These microparticle depots control the host cells and its microenvironment through intracellular and extracellular release of growth factors. Specifically, human endothelial cells engineered with vascular endothelial growth factor loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticle show enhanced angiogenic response through extended endothelial network and sprouting. Enhancement of angiogenic response is attributed to autocrine and paracrine-endocrine like signaling from the growth factors.