A [polycation:heparin] complex releases growth factors with enhanced bioactivity

Growth factors are potent molecules that regulate cell functions including survival, self renewal, differentiation and proliferation. High-efficacy delivery of growth factors will be a powerful tool for regenerative medicine. Decades of intense research have significantly advanced the field of controlled delivery. There is, however, still a great unmet need for new methods that can improve overall efficacy of growth factor delivery. Here, we report a new growth factor delivery vehicle formed by self assembly of heparin and a biocompatible polycation, poly(ethylene argininylaspartate diglyceride) (PEAD). Of the many heparin-binding growth factors, we chose FGF-2 and NGF to demonstrate the potential of the [PEAD:heparin] delivery vehicle. The delivery vehicle incorporates both growth factors with high efficiency, controls their release, maintains the bioactivity of FGF-2 and increases the bioactivity of NGF relative to bolus delivery. [PEAD:heparin] appears to be a promising delivery matrix for many heparin-binding growth factors and may lead to efficient growth factor delivery for a variety of diseases and disabilities.