Controlled release of heparin-binding growth factors using heparin-containing particulate systems for tissue regeneration

Abstract

The strategy of growth factor delivery to specific sites for therapeutic applications has been considered an essential process in biomedical fields despite some obstacles, such as a non-controlled release with initial burst. This article focuses on particulate systems using heparin for the controlled delivery of heparin-binding growth factors (HBGFs), an emerging area in the tissue engineering field. Since heparin has been widely utilized for growth factor delivery due to its electrostatic nature and specific affinity with HBGFs, heparin-containing polymeric particulates can be utilized as functional carriers to deliver growth factors in a controlled manner. In particular, examples of the HBGF delivery systems containing heparin, perspectives and potential applications are described and discussed.

Keywords::

• controlled release
• growth factor delivery
• heparin
• heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF)
• polymeric particulate
• tissue regeneration

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Korea Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (02-PJ3-PG6-EV11-0002) and the Nano-Biotechnology Project (Regenomics), Ministry of Science & Technology, Republic of Korea (B020214).