Tethering of Epidermal Growth Factor Family Members to Dendrimer Crosslinked Collagen Gels

To enhance growth factor (GF) bioavailability, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) were tethered, via carbodiimide chemistry, to dendrimer crosslinked collagen (CG) gels, either during or following gel fabrication. GF tethering was achieved either via step-wise modification, with gels soaked in activated GF solutions, or via bulk modification with various GF solutions added to the collagen …