Collagen-Mimetic Proteins with Tunable Integrin Binding Sites for Vascular Graft Coatings

Achieving graft endothelialization following implantation continues to be a challenge in the development of “off-the-shelf,” small-caliber, arterial prostheses. Coating grafts with biomolecules to support the retention, migration, and differentiation of adherent endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) is a promising approach toward improving graft endothelialization. Designer Collagen Scl2-2 with 1 integrin binding site per strand (DC2-1X) is a Streptococcus pyogenes-derived, collagen-like protein that has previously been evaluated as a graft coating due to its ability to resist platelet aggregation and to promote attachment and migration of “late outgrowth” EPCs (EOCs). However, these prior assessments were performed in the absence of physiological shear. In addition, although DC2-1X coatings supported increased migration rates relative to native collagen coatings, EOC attachment and spreading remained inferior to collagen controls at all DC2-1X concentrations assayed. Thus, the objectives of the present work...