A Heparin‐Functionalized Scaffold with HB‐EGF Immobilization for Tissue Engineering

The introduction of growth factors (GFs) into scaffolds to mimic the in vivo microenvironment is a promising approach for tissue engineering. In this study, a heparin‐functionalized scaffold is designed to mimic the GFs reservoir function of extracellular matrix (ECM). Owing to its heparin‐binding domain, heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) is effectively and spatially captured by heparin‐functionalized scaffold. Furthermore, the strong interaction between heparin and heparin‐binding domain confers excellent stability of the immobilized HB‐EGF in scaffold over a long period. The heparin‐functionalized scaffold immobilized with HB‐EGF facilitates cell adhesion and promotes proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), while not inducing their differentiation during proliferation. These results indicate that the immobilized HB‐EGF has a promotive effect on proliferation of hMSCs without triggering spontaneous differentiation, and the system shows as a promising strategy to enhance stem cells proliferation in scaffolds.