Desenvolvimento, caracterização e avaliação da atividade angiogênica de filmes biopoliméricos de alginato e carboximetilcelulose contendo lectina de Canavalia ensiformis

Abstract

The formation of a functional vascular system is a recognized challenge; therefore, tissue engineering has explored chemical and physical strategies to promote neovascularization. Angiogenesis induced by biomaterials occurs predominantly through the formation of new vessels from pre-existing vascular structures, regulated by the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of endothelial cells. Techniques aimed at inducing revascularization have emerged, including natural polymers, biodegradable products capable of regenerating tissues through the interaction of their biodegradation with immune cells. Plant lectins, in turn, are capable of modulating distinct cellular responses and exhibit angiogenic potential; they are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immunological origin that recognize and reversibly bind to specific carbohydrate molecules. The objective of this work is to incorporate the lectin from Canavalia ensiformis (ConA) into alginate and carboxymethylcellulose films to promote angiogenesis pathways and induce vascularization as a therapeutic and pharmacological approach. The characterization of the films and the physicochemical tests demonstrated the efficient incorporation of the lectin into the film, as observed in the differential scanning calorimetry analysis and the FT-Raman spectra. In addition to the significantly prolonged retention capacity of ConA in the film observed by the hemagglutinating activity analysis, SEM and roughness profile assays demonstrated the adhesion capacity of the films. Angiogenic activity was confirmed by the CAM assay, and immunohistochemical assays showed an increase in the expression of the angiogenic factors TGF-β and VEGF. These results demonstrate that the biopolymers used represent an effective alternative in inducing angiogenesis, paving the way for future research in the development of therapeutic and pharmacological biopolymers.