Self-vasculaizing three dimensional collagen by recombinant bacteriophages

Developing tissue inducing vascularization is of great important to the functional tissue design. We have genetically engineered recombinant bacteriophage displayed vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) on their coat proteins and combined it on the type I collagen scaffold, natural extracellular matrix. This functionalized tissue can lead angiogenesis and capillary morphogenesis itself without any VEGF supply. We showed that the functionalized collagen scaffold with VEGF conjugated recombinant bacteriophage was able to induce angiogenesis as well as capillary morphogenesis in three dimensions. There functionalized scaffold offers promising solution for therapies for graft surgery, such as acceleration of recovery after skin graft, or as intentional leading of vascularizing for preventing parenchyma necrosis.