A Modular, Hydroxyapatite-Binding Version of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

We report a modular peptide that mimics the pro-angiogenic properties of vascular endothelial growth factor and the hydroxyapatite-binding ability of bone protein osteocalcin. It binds rapidly and efficiently to hydroxyapatite, and locally induces early pro-angiogenic activities, including endothelial cell proliferation and migration both when it exists in a soluble form and when it is immobilized on a hydroxyapatite biomaterial.