Controlled Release of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) using Therapeutic Ultrasound Enhances Angiogenesis and Reperfusion in Ischemic Muscle

Current treatment options for critical limb ischemia (CLI), an advanced type of peripheral artery disease (PAD), are grossly insufficient. Clinical trials have evaluated exogenous, pro-angiogenic growth factors to stimulate angiogenesis in PAD/CLI. However, conventional administration routes are ineffective for growth factors, which have contributed to translational challenges. We have developed a composite hydrogel scaffold, termed an acoustically-responsive scaffold (ARS), where growth factor delivery is controlled via acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV). The ARS consists of a phase-shift emulsion contained within a fibrin matrix. We demonstrate in a mouse model of CLI that ADV can be used to enhance angiogenesis and perfusion via the release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) from implanted ARSs.