Precision-Guided Angiogenesis

Biomaterials are increasingly recognized as powerful tools in the regulation of angiogenesis, the complex, multi-step process of new blood vessel formation from pre-existing vasculature. This process is essential for tissue regeneration, repair, and wound healing but can also be detrimental in diseases like cancer, where angiogenesis facilitates metastasis. In our lab, we’ve pioneered the design and development of various biomaterials—such as nanoparticles and specialized scaffolds—to finely tune this process, either stimulating angiogenesis to support tissue engineering and regeneration or inhibiting it to prevent cancerous spread.

Our pro-angiogenic advanced biomaterials aim to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment and release critical ions and growth factors that initiate and sustain endothelial cell activity, crucial for forming capillary-like structures. Bioactive glasses, for instance, release ions like calcium, silicon, and phosphorus, which activate signaling pathways such as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and angiopoietin-Tie2, promoting endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Scaffolds with nanostructured surfaces and ECM-like compositions also provide a supportive niche for vascular cells, enhancing cellular adhesion, differentiation, and extracellular signaling. The inclusion of pro-angiogenic molecules in these materials further enables a controlled and sustained release, which is essential to synchronize with the stages of tissue repair and vascular network formation.

Conversely, we also develop biomaterials that can inhibit angiogenesis, particularly for use in anti-tumor therapies. By leveraging anti-angiogenic agents like endostatin, bevacizumab, and other VEGF pathway inhibitors, our biomaterials can reduce nutrient and oxygen supply to tumors, effectively “starving” cancer cells and impeding their ability to metastasize. These materials are engineered to release inhibitors in response to specific cues in the tumor microenvironment, such as pH changes or specific enzymes, ensuring that the anti-angiogenic effect is localized and minimizes off-target effects. The design of such targeted release systems requires precise control over biomaterial composition and degradation rates to maintain effective therapeutic levels in the vicinity of the tumor.

Through this dual approach of angiogenic stimulation and inhibition, our biomaterials research is pushing the boundaries of precision medicine, creating tailored solutions that can meet the unique demands of different clinical applications, from promoting vascularized tissue regeneration to inhibiting metastatic pathways in cancer. This balance of biochemical and biophysical cues within biomaterial systems showcases the potential of biomaterials to address a wide array of vascular and oncological challenges.