Clinical translation of growth factor therapies faces multiples challenges; the most significant is how to maintain bioactivity. My lab uses heparin and a biocompatible polycation to form an injectable coacervate that preserves the bioactivities of heparin-binding proteins including many growth factors. This design is inspired by the ternary structure of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), heparin and FGF receptor. The effectiveness of the coacervate delivery system is demonstrated using multiple growth factors in multiple animal models. The coacervate provides spatial and temporal control of the release of heparin-binding proteins. Here I will discuss three applications: angiogenesis, skin wound healing, and cardiac repair post- infarction. Promising data in large animals suggests the potential of clinical translation.

Self-assembling coacervate controls the release of proteins: From design to in vivo functionality

245th National Meeting (2013)

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