Covalent immobilization of fibroblast-derived matrix on metallic stent for expeditious re-endothelialization

Here, we demonstrate a fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (FDM) immobilized cobalt-chromium (Co–Cr) alloy surface to accelerate re-endothelialization. The surface characterization results showed that FDM molecules with their protein components such as collagen I, fibronectin, and laminin, were covalently grafted to Co–Cr surface. The in vitro cells experiments exhibited the superiority of the FDM-immobilized surface to capture and proliferate of endothelial progenitor and human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells than control Co–Cr alloy. These results suggested that the immobilization of FDM on the stent surface by this facile procedure could be an efficient and promising strategy to get expeditious re-endothelialization.