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Updated: May 1, 2026

Analysis of Cell Migration within a Three-dimensional Collagen Matrix
Published on: October 5, 2014
A density gradient of basic fibroblast growth factor guides directional migration of vascular smooth muscle cells
Jindan Wu1, Zhengwei Mao2, Lulu Han2
1MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials & Manufacturing Technology, College of Materials and Textile, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
Abstract:
The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is an important process in many physiological events. It is of paramount importance to control the migration rate and direction of VSMCs by biomaterials. In this paper, a density gradient of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was fabricated using an injection method and the bio-conjugation between heparin and bFGF. The density of bFGF gradually increased with a slope of 17 ng/cm(2)/mm. Adhesion and migration of VSMCs were studied on the bFGF gradient. The VSMCs exhibited preferential orientation and an enhanced directional migration behavior on the gradient surface. Up to 70% cells migrated towards the region with a higher density of bFGF on the gradient. However, the bFGF gradient had no effect on the cell migration rate.
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