Faculty Bibliography

We explored poly(4-vinylimidazole) (P4V) as a nonviral gene carrier. We show that P4V can form DNA condensates of small size (<110 nm) using a dye-exclusion assay with ethidium bromide and dynamic light scattering, and that the complexes form in a pH-sensitive manner, due to the amphotericity of the polymer. P4V was demonstrated to lead to transfection in vitro as effectively as polyethyleneimine (PEI), but at lower cytotoxicity, under conditions where higher amounts of either polymer are required, using luciferase and green fluorescent protein as examples. Transfection in vivo was also explored, using a gene encoding yellow fluorescent protein and human osteoprotegerin injected in the tail vein of the rat. Transfection was observed, both at the gene and protein levels in lung and spleen tissue. Transfection in vivo appeared to be at least as effective using P4V as with PEI. Based upon this good transfection and low cytotoxicity, P4V seems to show promise as a nonviral gene transfer vector.

Hydrogels were formed by conjugate addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) multiacrylates and dithiothreitol (DTT) for encapsulation and sustained release of protein drugs; human growth hormone (hGH) was considered as an example. Prior to encapsulation, the hGH was precipitated either by Zn2+ ions or by linear PEG, to protect the hGH from reaction with the gel precursors during gelation. Precipitation by Zn2+ ions yielded precipitates that dissolved slowly and delayed release from even highly permeable gels, whereas linear PEG yielded rapidly dissolving precipitates. To independently protect the protein and delay its release, linear PEG precipitation was adopted, and release control via modulation of the PEG gel mesh size was sought. By varying the molecular weight of the multiarm PEG acrylates, control over gel swelling and hGH release, from a few hours to a few months, could be obtained. Protein release from the swollen and degrading PEG-based gel networks was modeled as a diffusion process with a time-dependent diffusion coefficient, calculated from swelling measurements and theoretical mesh sizes. Release following zero-order kinetics was obtained by the counter influences of decreasing protein concentration and increasing protein diffusion coefficient over time.

Most growth factors naturally involved in development and regeneration demonstrate strong binding to the extracellular matrix and are retained there until being locally mobilized by cells. In spite of this feedback between cell activity and growth factor mobilization in the extracellular matrix, this approach has not been extensively explored in therapeutic situations. We present an engineered bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) fusion protein that mimics such function in a surgically relevant matrix, fibrin, incorporated into the matrix until it is locally liberated by cell surface-associated proteases. A tripartite fusion protein, denoted TG-pl-BMP-2, was designed and produced recombinantly. An N-terminal transglutaminase substrate (TG) domain provides covalent attachment to fibrin during coagulation under the influence of the blood transglutaminase factor XIIIa. A central plasmin substrate (pl) domain provides a cleavage site for local release of the attached growth factor from the fibrin matrix under the influence of cell-activated plasmin. A C-terminal human BMP-2 domain provides osteogenic activity. TG-pl-BMP-2 in fibrin was evaluated in vivo in critical-size craniotomy defects in rats, where it induced 76% more defect healing with bone at 3 weeks with a dose of 1 mug/defect than wildtype BMP-2 in fibrin. After a dosing study in rabbits, the engineered growth factor in fibrin was evaluated in a prospective clinical study for pancarpal fusion in dogs, where it induced statistically faster and more extensive bone bridging than equivalent treatment with cancellous bone autograft. The strong healing response shown by fibrin including a bound BMP-2 variant suggests that with the combination of bound growth factor and ingrowth matrix, it may be possible to improve upon the natural growth factor and even upon tissue autograft.

Non-viral DNA delivery systems show important advantages vs. viral systems that are usually associated with an immunological response and safety risks. In this study, disulfide cross-linked peptide-DNA condensates were investigated for local gene delivery. Two different 21 amino acid peptides were designed to have a DNA binding sequence in combination with a transglutaminase substrate site or a nuclear localization site. The peptides were used in different ratios to each other to form stable cross-linked DNA-peptide condensates with a mean diameter of 164 nm and a size distribution from 43 to 204 nm. Such aggregates showed similar stability compared to condensates formed between DNA and high molecular weight poly-L-lysine (PLL). Peptide-DNA condensates were covalently immobilized into fibrin matrices by the activity of factor XIII and were used for gene delivery in vitro. After internalization, reduction of the cross-linked peptide-DNA condensates yielded increased transfection efficiencies into different cell types cultured in 2D sandwich assays, and comparable values for HUVECs cultured in a 3D fibrin matrix, as compared to PLL-DNA condensates. Cell viability 24 h after transfection remained above 95%. The target was to develop a transfection system based on small peptides that can be covalently cross-linked into fibrin-matrices where DNA-release takes place upon cellular degradation of the matrix. This approach provides an interesting tool in non-viral gene delivery.

We have recently demonstrated the possible use of organic polysulfides for the design of oxidation-sensitive colloidal carriers in the form of polymeric vesicles, which are particularly suitable for the encapsulation of hydrosoluble drugs. In the present research we extend our efforts to carriers specifically suitable for hydrophobic molecules. Exploiting the living emulsion polymerization of episulfides, we have produced new cross-linked polysulfide nanoparticles. Here we demonstrate how this process allows the production of stable nanoparticles with a good control over their size and functionality. The nanoparticles showed negligible cytotoxicity on a fibroblast model; furthermore, they exhibited sensitivity to oxidative conditions, which first produce swelling and then solubilize the material.

A number of vascular therapies could benefit from advanced methods for presentation of angiogenic growth factors, including growth of endothelium on small caliber vascular grafts and revascularization of ischemic tissue through induction of collateral vessels and microvessels. To explore methods to optimize the presentation and release of angiogenic factors in such applications in device integration and tissue repair, we studied three variant forms of vascular endothelial growth factor 121 (VEGF121), each with differential susceptibility to local cellular proteolytic activity, formulated within fibrin matrices. (1) The prototypic variant alpha2PI(1-8)-VEGF121 remains immobilized in fibrin matrices until its liberation by cell-associated enzymes, such as plasmin, that degrade the fibrin network [slow, cell-demanded release; J. Control. Release 72 (2001) 101-113]; the alpha2PI(1-8) domain serves as a site for covalent attachment to fibrin during coagulation. (2) We created a new VEGF variant, alpha2PI(1-8)-Pla-VEGF121 that couples to fibrin via a plasmin-sensitive sequence (Pla). Cleavage of this target site by plasmin enables direct release of alpha2PI(1-8)-Pla-VEGF121 from bulk matrix degradation (accelerated, cell-demanded release). (3) Native VEGF121 (burst, passive release) was considered as a reference. VEGF release profiles were determined experimentally as well as mathematically, alpha2PI(1-8)-Pla-VEGF121 being released ca. fourfold more quickly than alpha2PI(1-8)-VEGF121, both being retained compared to native VEGF121; the differences in release could be accounted for based on knowledge of the plasmin sensitivity of the bound growth factor and the structure of the fibrin network. The bound factors were competent in inducing endothelial cell proliferation, the matrix-bound forms being more effective than native VEGF121; as well as competent in inducing endothelial progenitor cell maturation into endothelial cells. These matrix-bound variants of VEGF121 may be particularly useful where retention in locally applied surgical sites is desired, such as prevention of washout from vascular graft coatings and slowing loss from tissue ingrowth matrices used in local tissue revascularization and repair.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To test a non-glycosylated recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (ngly-rhBMP-2)/fibrin composite, which has been shown experimentally to enhance healing of bone defects in rodents, in a clinical case series of dogs and cats undergoing treatment for fracture non-unions and arthrodesis. METHODS:A ngly-rhBMP-2/fibrin composite was applied in 41 sites in 38 dogs and cats for which a cancellous bone autograft was indicated, replacing the graft. RESULTS:Bridging of the bone defect with functional bone healing was achieved in 90 per cent of the arthrodesis and fracture nonunions treated in this manner. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE/CONCLUSIONS:This prospective clinical study demonstrates the beneficial effects of ngly-rhBMP-2 in a specially designed fibrin matrix on the treatment of bone defects, and validates the use of this composite as an alternative to bone autografts in dogs and cats.

New generations of synthetic biomaterials are being developed at a rapid pace for use as three-dimensional extracellular microenvironments to mimic the regulatory characteristics of natural extracellular matrices (ECMs) and ECM-bound growth factors, both for therapeutic applications and basic biological studies. Recent advances include nanofibrillar networks formed by self-assembly of small building blocks, artificial ECM networks from protein polymers or peptide-conjugated synthetic polymers that present bioactive ligands and respond to cell-secreted signals to enable proteolytic remodeling. These materials have already found application in differentiating stem cells into neurons, repairing bone and inducing angiogenesis. Although modern synthetic biomaterials represent oversimplified mimics of natural ECMs lacking the essential natural temporal and spatial complexity, a growing symbiosis of materials engineering and cell biology may ultimately result in synthetic materials that contain the necessary signals to recapitulate developmental processes in tissue- and organ-specific differentiation and morphogenesis.

The ability of the biomimetic peptides YIGSR, PHSRN and RGD to selectively affect adhesion and migration of human microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) and vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMC) was evaluated. Cell mobility was quantified by time-lapse video microscopy of single cells migrating on peptide modified surfaces. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels modified with YIGSR or PHSRN allowed only limited adhesion and no spreading of MVEC and HVSMC. However, when these peptides were individually combined with the strong cell binding peptide RGD in PEG hydrogels, the YIGSR peptide was found to selectively enhance the migration of MVEC by 25% over that of MVEC on RGD alone (p<0.05). No corresponding effect was observed for HVSMC. This suggests that the desired response of specific cell types to tissue engineering scaffolds could be optimized through a combinatory approach to the use of biomimetic peptides.

Toward the development of synthetic bioactive materials to support tissue repair, we present here the design, production, and characterization of genetically engineered protein polymers carrying specific key features of the natural extracellular matrix, as well as cross-linking with functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to form hybrid hydrogel networks. The repeating units of target recombinant protein polymers contain a cell-binding site for ligation of cell-surface integrin receptors and substrates for plasmin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), proteases implicated in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Hydrogels were formed under physiological conditions via Michael-type conjugate addition of vinyl sulfone groups of end-functionalized PEG with thiols of cysteine residues, representing designed chemical cross-linking sites within recombinant proteins. Cross-linking kinetics was shown to increase with the pH of precursor solutions. The elastic moduli (G') and swelling ratios (Q(m)) of the resulting hydrogels could be varied as a function of the stoichiometry of the reacting groups and precursor concentration. Optima of G' and Q(m), maximum and minimum, respectively, were obtained at stoichiometry ratios r slightly in excess of 1 (r = cysteine/vinyl sulfone). The pool of technologies utilized here represents a promising approach for the development of artificial matrixes tailored for specific medical applications.