Controlled release of vascular endothelial growth factor by use of collagen hydrogels

In vivo profile of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release from collagen hydrogels was investigated comparing that of hydrogel degradation while angiogenesis induced by the released VEGF was assessed. Collagen sponges were chemically cross-linked with different amounts of glutaraldehyde for various time periods. When 125I-labeled collagen hydrogels incorporating VEGF were subcutaneously implanted into the back subcutis of mice, the hydrogel radioactivity decreased with time, the decrement profile depending on the cross-linking conditions. The radioactivity was retained for longer time periods as the glutaraldehyde concentration and cross-linking time increased. Implantation study of collagen hydrogels incorporating 125I-labeled VEGF revealed that the remaining VEGF radioactivity decreased with time and the retention period was prolonged with the decreased hydrogel biodegradation. The slower the hydrogel degradation, the longer the period of VEGF retention. The collagen hydrogel incorporating VEGF induced significant angiogenesis around the implanted hydrogel, in marked contrast to VEGF in the solution form and VEGF-free empty hydrogel. The retention period of angiogenesis became longer with a decrease of the in vivo degradation rate of hydrogels. It is possible that the slower degraded hydrogel achieves a longer period of VEGF release, resulting in prolonged angiogenetic effect. We concluded that in our hydrogel system, biologically-active VEGF was released as a result of in vivo degradation of the hydrogel.