COLLAGEN SCAFFOLD MODIFIED BY COVALENT GRAFTING OF ADHESION MOLECULES, ASSOCIATED METHODS AND USE THEREOF FOR CARDIOVASCULAR AND THORACIC CELL THERAPY AND CONTRACTILE TISSUE ENGINEERING
Three-dimensional solid contractile collagen scaffolds having improved biological properties and electromechanical performance are provided. The scaffolds can be used for cell transplantation, including the fixation of biocompatible reagents and adhesion molecules which control cell adhesion, apoptosis, survival and/or differentiation simultaneously. Grafting adhesion molecules to the collagen matrices renders the scaffold suitable for use in vascular and cardiothoracic surgery/medicine, as well as in cell therapy for the heart and in artificial heart muscle engineering. Also, a method for grafting and optimizing the presentation of adhesion peptides or biological agents in the scaffold is provided.
