Cellular mechanisms of biodegradable zinc and magnesium materials on promoting angiogenesis

Biodegradable metals, zinc and magnesium, have been regarded as next-generation, biomedical implant materials to promote tissue repair and regeneration. These implants might also promote the vascularization of surrounding neotissue. Released metallic ions, Zn2+ and Mg2+, show promise in vitro to implement vessel growth by stimulating the expression of pro-angiogenic cytokines, yet there is little known regarding how cellular responses transcend to influence the tissue environment. This study serves to optimize angiogenic behavior using EA.hy926 endothelial cultures exposed to Zn2+ and Mg2+ gradients and observe the translation of these effects on blood vessel development via the in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Findings indicate that Zn2+ 10 μM and Mg2+ 10 mM instigate the most prominent effects using endothelial cultures via scratch wound and tube formation assays, yet higher concentrations at Zn2+ 50 μM and Mg2+ 50 mM encourage significant angiogenesis along the CAM. Immunoblotting results also conclude the presence and upregulation of cytokines involved in vessel growth. Optimizing the angiogenic potential of Zn2+ and Mg2+ separately sheds light to design future engineering constructs for promoting blood vessel development and successful assimilation between host and implant tissue.