PROJECT A07
Regulation of Growth Factor Signaling by the Nanoscale Presentation of the Extracellular Matrix
The coordination of adhesion receptor signals with those from growth factor receptors provides a key regulatory mechanism that controls many basic cell functions. While the importance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in regulating integrin signaling has been shown, very little is known about how the physical presentation of other matrix-bound biomolecules, in particular growth factors, affects their signaling potential and ability to crosstalk with integrins through signaling events at cellular membranes. Here, we will use a synthetic hydrogel material to investigate how vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is controlled by the presentation of VEGF and adhesive ligands regulating their clustering at the cell membrane.
