Facile growth factor immobilization platform based on engineered phage matrices

Immobilized growth factors on tissue matrices play a critical role in controlling cell growth processes and cell morphology. We report a strategy for immobilizing growth factors on genetically engineered phage matrices for tissue regeneration. We modified M13 phages to express biotin-like peptides (HPQ) and/or integrin binding peptides (RGD) on their major and minor coat proteins. The resulting phages formed nanofibrous matrices that could easily immobilize growth factors FGFb and NGF. We demonstrated the synergistic roles of the growth factors and integrin binding peptides in controlling cell morphologies and growth. Our phage matrices, which can be easily functionalized with various ligands and growth factors, can be used as a convenient test bed for investigating the functions of various biochemical stimulants of numerous cell types. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.