The promotion of endothelial cell attachment and spreading using FNIII10 fused to VEGF-A₁₆₅

Synergy in the downstream signaling pathways of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and the integrin αvβ3 is critical for blood vessel formation. Thus, agents that activate both receptors could possess efficient pro-angiogenic potential. Here, we created a fibrin-binding bi-functional protein (FNIII10-VEGF) consisting of the 10th type III domain of fibronectin (FNIII10) fused to a plasmin-resistant VEGF-A₁₆₅ mutant (VEGF) that potentiated angiogenic processes when compared to the effect of the separate molecules. FNIII10-VEGF was able to bind both VEGFR-2 and integrin αvβ3. Intriguingly, cell attachment and spreading to immobilized FNIII10-VEGF was significantly enhanced compared to individual FNIII10 or VEGF proteins. Delivery of immobilized FNIII10-VEGF by covalent linkage to a fibrin matrix significantly enhanced the angiogenic response in an invivo wound healing assay compared to soluble VEGF. Unexpectedly, the angiogenic response to fibrin-immobilized FNIII10-VEGF was reduced in comparison to the pro-angiogenic effect of fibrin-immobilized VEGF. Collectively, findings of this study corroborate a critical role for a subtle balance of the integrin-VEGF interplay in angiogenesis and provide insight in how engineered growth factors in concert with biomaterial matrices may offer a potent molecular/material approach to harness these interactions for therapeutic angiogenesis.