Cell migration is
vital for many fundamental biological
processes
and human pathologies throughout our life. Dynamic molecular changes
in the tissue microenvironment determine modifications of cell movement,
which can be reflected either individually or collectively. Endothelial
cell (EC) migratory adaptation occurs during several events and phenomena,
such as endothelial injury, vasculogenesis, and angiogenesis, under
both normal and highly inflammatory conditions. Several advantageous
processes can be supported by biomaterials. Endothelial cells are
used in combination with various types of biomaterials to design scaffolds
promoting the formation of mature blood vessels within tissue engineered
structures. Appropriate selection, in terms of scaffolding properties,
can promote desirable cell behavior to varying degrees. An increasing
amount of research could lead to the creation of the perfect biomaterial
for regenerative medicine applications. In this review, we summarize
the state of knowledge regarding the possible systems by which inflammation
may influence endothelial cell migration. We also describe the fundamental
forces governing cell motility with a specific focus on ECs. Additionally,
we discuss the biomaterials used for EC culture, which serve to enhance
the proliferative, proangiogenic, and promigratory potential of cells.
Moreover, we introduce the mechanisms of cell movement and highlight
the significance of understanding these mechanisms in the context
of designing scaffolds that promote tissue regeneration.