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Biotechnology Letters, Vol.34, No.9, 1765-1771, 2012
Preparation and characterization of a VEGF-Fc fusion protein matrix for enhancing HUVEC growth
To enhance vascularization of hydrophobic implants in vivo, a VEGF-Fc fusion protein consisting of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) fused to the immunoglobulin G Fc domain was prepared as an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM). VEGF-Fc was stably immobilized on a polystyrene plate due to the hydrophobicity of the Fc domain, and significantly enhanced the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Additionally, the use of VEGF-Fc as an ECM markedly promoted the proliferation of HUVECs longer than 72 h and induced the reorganization of actin filaments into larger stress fibers within these cells. The VEGF-Fc fusion protein may be a promising artificial ECM for enhancing endothelial cell growth.