Endothelial colony forming cell rolling and adhesion supported by peptide-grafted hydrogels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of peptides and peptide combinations to support circulating endothelial colony forming cell (ECFC) rolling and adhesion under shear flow, informing biomaterial design in moving toward rapid cardiovascular device endothelialization. ECFCs have high proliferative capability and can differentiate into endothelial cells, making them a promising cell source for endothelialization. Both single peptides and peptide combinations designed to target integrins αβ and αβ were coupled to poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels, and their performance was evaluated by monitoring velocity patterns during the ECFC rolling process, in addition to firm adhesion (capture).