Injectable multifunctional microgel encapsulating outgrowth endothelial cells and growth factors for enhanced neovascularization

Recent cell-based therapy approaches have employed both nanotechnologies and other biomedical technologies to enhance their therapeutic potential. A combined strategy using therapeutic stem/progenitor cells and angiogenic proteins is attractive for the treatment of vascular disease. In this study, we developed an injectable multifunctional micro-sized gel system (microgel), composed of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-conjugated alginate, for the delivery of both cells and growth factors in vivo. The microgels encapsulated with outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) and growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF, and hepatocyte growth factor, HGF) were formed via electrospraying. Cells encapsulated within the microgel exhibited a time-dependent proliferation with enhanced cell viability, and the size-controlled microgels resulted in sustained release of growth factors for e…