Gradient Coatings of Biopeptides That Promote Endothelial Cells Selective Adhesion and Directional Migration and Methods of Using the Same

An implantable article configured to promote selective adhesion of endothelial cells and directional migration of the endothelial cells, comprising:

• a first layer of cell-resisting polymers that is uniform in composition and repels cell adhesion nondiscriminatory;
• a second layer of peptides having specific affinity to, and operable to interact specifically with, endothelial cells, wherein the peptides are distributed in a concentration gradient configured to induce the endothelial cells to migrate towards the direction of increased peptide concentration;
• and
• a substrate layer comprising biocompatible biodegradable polymers.

A method for using peptide gradient to induce selective adhesion and directional migration of endothelial cells, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first layer of cell-resisting polymers that repels cell adhesion nondiscriminatory;
• providing a second layer of peptides having specific affinity to and operable to interact specifically to endothelial cells, wherein the peptides are distributed in a concentration gradient along one axis and are conjugated to the hydrophilic polymers via a Michael addition reaction to form a two-layer structure;
• and
• placing the two-layer structure in a place accessible to endothelial cells and allow endothelial adhesion and migration to occur.