Hydrogel providing cell-specific ingrowth

摘要

A polymeric biomaterial that facilitates cell-specific ingrowth. The polymeric biomaterial encourages the ingrowth of cell types while reducing the ingrowth of undesirable cell types. This activity encourages proper integration of prosthetic implants or scaffolds utilizing this biomaterial by discouraging encapsulation or the accumulation of inflammatory cells such as macrophages, while encouraging infiltration by desirable cells such as endothelial or smooth muscle cells. Short peptide sequences are included in a polymeric biomaterial that result in complementary activities. Peptide sequences that are specifically cleaved by proteases found within preferred cells are used to cross-link the biomaterial and lead to degradation by those cells. Peptide sequences taken from proteins involved in cell adhesion can also be attached to the biomaterial to encourage adhesion by preferred cells. Combined use of both peptides in the polymeric biomaterial provides both specific adhesion and selective ingrowth.