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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
09:29
Electrospinning Growth Factor Releasing Microspheres into Fibrous Scaffolds
Published on: August 16, 2014
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Sustained Release of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) Encapsulated Polycaprolactone (PCL) Microspheres Promote
Pala Arunkumar1, Julie A Dougherty1, Jessica Weist1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 24, 2019
Summary
Polycaprolactone microspheres successfully delivered basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 30 days, promoting angiogenesis and cell survival. This bFGF-PCL-MS formulation shows promise for treating myocardial infarction.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
- Myocardial infarction (MI) treatment strategies focus on preserving cardiac function using growth factors.
- Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) exhibits angiogenic potential but suffers from poor clinical efficacy due to short half-life and low stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop bFGF-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres (bFGF-PCL-MS) for sustained bFGF release.
- To evaluate the angiogenic potential of bFGF-PCL-MS both in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of bFGF-PCL-MS using emulsion solvent-evaporation method.
- In vitro assessment of bFGF release kinetics over 30 days.
- In vitro evaluation of HUVEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenic gene expression.
- In vivo assessment of angiogenic potential in a rat Matrigel plug assay.
Main Results:
- bFGF-PCL-MS exhibited spherical morphology (4.21 ± 1.28 µm) and sustained bFGF release for up to 30 days.
- In vitro studies demonstrated enhanced HUVEC proliferation, migration, and increased expression of angiogenic genes (bFGF, VEGFA).
- In vivo assays confirmed increased expression of angiogenic markers, validating the angiogenic potential of bFGF-PCL-MS.
Conclusions:
- Sustained release of bFGF from PCL microspheres enhances angiogenic properties.
- bFGF-PCL-MS represent a promising strategy for promoting angiogenesis and cell survival post-myocardial infarction.
- This formulation could improve therapeutic outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction.
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