Incorporation of fibronectin to enhance cytocompatibility in multilayer elastin-like protein scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Recombinant, elastin-like protein (ELP) polymers are of significant interest for the engineering of compliant, resilient soft tissues due to a wide range of tunable mechanical properties, biostability, and biocompatibility. Here, we enhance endothelial cell (EC) and mesenchymal stem cell compatibility with ELP constructs by addition of fibronectin (Fn) to the surface or bulk of ELP hydrogels. We find that cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration can be modulated by Fn addition. Adsorption of Fn to the hydrogel surface is more efficient than bulk blending. Surface immobilization of Fn by genipin crosslinking leads to stability without loss of bioactivity. Gels of varying mechanical modulus do not alter cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration in the range we investigate. However, more compliant gels promote an EC morphology suggesting tubulogenesis or network formation, whereas stiffer gels promote cobblestone morphology. Multilayer structures consisting of thin ELP sheets reinforced with collagen microfiber are fabricated and laminated through the culture of MSCs at layer interfaces. High cell viability in the resulting three-dimensional constructs suggests the applicability of Fn to the design of strong, resilient artificial blood vessels and other soft tissue replacements.