Regulation of sequential release of growth factors using bilayer polymeric nanoparticles for cardiac tissue engineering

Aim: Cardiac tissue engineering aims to develop engineered constructs for myocardial infarction repair, where a challenge is the control of growth factor (GF) sequential release. Herein, bilayer polymeric nanoparticles composed of a GF-encapsulating core surrounded by rate-regulating shell were developed for sequential GF release. Materials & methods: Single and bilayer polymeric nanoparticles were fabricated, characterized and biologically assessed. A novel 'Geno-Neural model' was developed and validated for rate-programming of the nanoparticles. Results: The bilayer nanoparticles featured low burst effect and time-delayed release, and allowed for sequential release of PDGF following co-release of VEGFand bFGF, which promoted angiogenesis. Conclusion: The nanoparticulate delivery system, along with the Geno-Neural model, offers great potential for spatiotemporal control of GF release for cardiovascular regenerative medicine.