Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-grafted polycaprolactone films with surface immobilization of collagen

Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (P(NIPAAm))-grafted polycaprolactone (PCL) films with a suitable amount of immobilized cell-adhesive collagen were prepared to improve cell adhesion and proliferation above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST, 32°C) of P(NIPAAm) without destroying cell detachment properties at lower temperatures. Covalently tethered P(NIPAAm) brushes on PCL film surfaces were first prepared via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The alkyl bromide end groups of the grafted P(NIPAAm) brushes were used in nucleophilic substitution reactions for the direct coupling of collagen to produce the collagen-immobilized thermoresponsive PCL surface. At 37°C, the cell attachments on the collagen-immobilized thermoresponsive PCL surface were enhanced substantially. The attached cells could be recovered simply by lowering culture temperature. The P(NIPAAm)-grafted PCL films with immobilized collagen are potentially useful as adhesion modifiers for advanced cell culture and tissue engineering applications.     

A poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(L-glutamic acid) diblock copolymer with improved cell adhesion for surface modification

A novel PAA-b-PLGA diblock copolymer is synthesized and characterized that has excellent cell adhesion and biocompatibility. Fluorescent DiO labeling is used to monitor the attachment and growth of hASCs on the film surface, and cell proliferation over time is studied. Results show that PLLA modified by a CS/PAA-b-PLGA multilayer film can promote the attachment of human hASCs and provide an advantageous environment for their proliferation. The multilayer film presents excellent biocompatibility and cell adhesive properties, which will provide a new choice for improving the cell attachment in surface modification for tissue engineering. Hydroxyl, carboxyl and amine groups in the CS/PAA-b-PLGA multilayer film may be combined with drugs and growth factors for therapy and differentiation.     

Photocontrol of cell adhesion and proliferation by a photoinduced cationic polymer surface

In this study photoinduced cation generation, based on the photochemical properties of malachite green (MG), was used for the surface design and in vitro photochemical control of cell adhesion and proliferation. The MG-derivatized surface was prepared by coating a photoreactive polymer as a substrate onto a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheet. The photoreactive polymer was radical copolymer of styrene with the MG-derivatized monomer diphenyl(4-vinylphenyl)methane leucohydroxide (degree of substitution of MG unit: 12.4 mol%). Water contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed high hydrophobicity and homogeneous distribution of the MG groups on the outermost surface of the coated film, respectively. When the coated film was exposed to ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation at wavelengths of 290-410 nm, a time-dependent color change of the film was observed from pale yellow, before irradiation, to green. These results indicated generation of cations on the film surface by photochemical cation generation of the MG groups, which was quantitatively characterized by force versus distance curves measurements in atomic force microscopic (AFM) observation using a carboxylated AFM tip. The seeding and culture of endothelial cells showed a marked reduction in adhesion on the nonirradiated coated film surface, whereas the UV-irradiated surface promoted cell adhesion and proliferation except for incubation in serum-free medium, which was similar to commercial tissue culture PET sheet. These observations may be due to adsorption of cell adhesive proteins, typified by fibronectin, in serum-containing medium onto the cationized photoreactive copolymer surface by electrostatic interactions.     

Thermo-responsive gelatin-functionalized PCL film surfaces for improvement of cell adhesion and intelligent recovery of gene-transfected cells

Efficient local gene transfection on a tissue scaffold is dependent on good cell-adhesion characteristics. In this work, the thermo-responsive gelatin-functionalized polycaprolactone (PCL) films were proposed for improvement of cell adhesion and intelligent recovery of gene-transfected cells. Functional copolymer brushes (PCL-g-P(NIPAAm-co-MAAS)) were first prepared via surface-initiated ATRP of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and methacrylic acid sodium salt (MAAS) from the initiator-funcationalized PCL surfaces. The pendant carboxyl end-groups of the PCL-g-P(NIPAAm-co-MAAS) surface were subsequently coupled with gelatin via carbodiimide chemistry to produce the thermo-responsive gelatin-functionalized PCL surface. The thermo-responsive gelatin-functionalized PCL film surface can improve cell adhesion and proliferation above the LCST of P(NIPAAm) without destroying cell detachment properties at lower temperatures. The dense transfected cells can be recovered simply by lowering culture temperature. The thermo-responsive gelatin-functionalized PCL films are potentially useful as intelligent adhesion modifiers for directing cellular functions within tissue scaffolds.     

The chiral effects on the responses of osteoblastic cells to the polymeric substrates

In order to study the chiral effects of polylactides on responses of osteoblastic cells, poly(l-lactide) (PLLA), poly(d-lactide) (PDLA), poly(dl-lactide) (PDLLA) and the stereocomplex of PLLA and PDLLA (SC) films with different stereoforms were prepared. The surface properties of the four polylactide films were tested and the osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells were cultured on the films. The protein adsorption behaviors of fibrinogen and bovine serum albumin on films were studied. The cell proliferation, total protein amount, DNA content and alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells were evaluated. The results showed that the protein adsorption was dependant on the type of proteins. The observation of cell morphologies revealed that the PDLA film provide an unfavorable surface for cell attachment. The total protein amount, DNA content and ALP activity were closely related to the stereoforms of polylactide films. All the levels of total protein amount, DNA content and ALP activity of ROS 17/2.8 cells on PDLA film were decreased. The racemic stereocomplex of PLLA and PDLA showed relatively higher positive effects on both cell growth and proliferation.     

Cell attachment and proliferation on poly(carbonate urethanes) with various degrees of nanophase separation

In this work, we synthesized six 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)-based poly(carbonate urethanes) (PCU) by using the macrodiol poly(1,6-hexyl, 1,2-ethyl carbonate) diol (MW = 2,017) in different molar ratios to MDI. The bulk and surface properties of cast PCU films were analyzed. The glass transition temperatures measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and surface images obtained from atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated that these PCU had various degrees of nanophase separation that changed with the time and film casting temperatures. The degree of nanophase separation correlated very well with endothelial cell attachment and proliferation on PCU.     

Regulation of cellular responses to macroporous inorganic films prepared by the inverse-opal method

Regenerative medicine for repairing damaged body tissues has recently become critically important. Cell culture scaffolds are required for the control of cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in in vitro cell cultures. A new strategy to control cell adhesion, morphology, and proliferation was developed by culturing mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells on novel cell culture scaffolds fabricated using ordered nanometer-sized pores (100, 300, 500, and 1000 nm). Results of this study indicate that after 72 h of incubation, the number of cells cultured on a silica film with a pore size of 1000 nm was similar to or slightly lower than that cultured on a non-porous control silica film. Films with 100-500 nm pore sizes, however, resulted in the cell growth inhibition. Morphology of the cultured cells revealed increased elongation and the formation of actin stress fibers was virtually absent on macroporous silica films with 100-500 nm pore size. Vinculin molecules expressed in cells cultured on the non-porous silica films showed many clear focal adhesions, whereas focal contacts were insufficiently formed in cells cultured on macroporous films. The influence of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and alumina scaffolds on the behavior of MC3T3-E1 cells was also evaluated. The proliferation rate of MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on HAp films with 1000 nm pore size was increased to approximately 20% above than that obtained of cells cultured on non-porous HAp films. These results demonstrate that the pore size and constituents of films play a role in controlling the morphology and proliferation rate of MC3T3-E1 cells.     

表面微图案化聚乳酸膜的制备及其细胞亲和性评价

利用溶剂-非溶剂法(SNS)制备表面具有微孔图案的聚乳酸(PLA)膜和聚苯乙烯(PS)膜,并以微孔PS膜为模板,构建表面具有微岛图案的PLA膜.以此为基础,对所制备的微图案表面对PLA膜亲/疏水性及成骨细胞粘附与增殖性能的影响进行研究.结果显示微图案的存在显著增强了PLA膜的表面疏水性(水接触角90°);成骨细胞在微图案表面具有良好的铺展性,其黏附数量明显高于光滑PLA膜,但细胞的生长曲线相对较平缓,显示微图案表面虽有利于细胞在PLA膜表面的粘附与铺展,但对促进细胞的增殖无贡献.     

Self-assembly and bioactivity of a polymer/peptide conjugate containing the RGD cell adhesion motif and PEG

The self-assembly and bioactivity of the peptide–polymer conjugate DGRFFF–PEG3000 containing the RGD cell adhesion motif has been examined, in aqueous solution. The conjugate is designed to be amphiphilic by incorporation of three hydrophobic phenylalanine residues as well as the RGD unit and a short poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain of molar mass 3000 kg mol⁻¹. Above a critical aggregation concentration, determined by fluorescence measurements, signals of β-sheet structure are revealed by spectroscopic measurements, as well as X-ray diffraction. At high concentration, a self-assembled fibril nanostructure is revealed by electron microscopy. The fibrils are observed despite PEG crystallization which occurs on drying. This suggests that DGRFFF has an aggregation tendency that is sufficiently strong not to be prevented by PEG crystallization. The adhesion, viability and proliferation of human corneal fibroblasts was examined for films of the conjugate on tissue culture plates (TCPs) as well as low attachment plates. On TCP, DGRFFF–PEG3000 films prepared at sufficiently low concentration are viable, and cell proliferation is observed. However, on low attachment surfaces, neither cell adhesion nor proliferation was observed, indicating that the RGD motif was not available to enhance cell adhesion. This was ascribed to the core–shell architecture of the self-assembled fibrils with a peptide core surrounded by a PEG shell which hinders access to the RGD unit.     

Cell processing on polyimide surface patterned by rubbing

In this study, we prepared a novel rubbed fluorinated polyimide film using a rubbing machine with a rubbing cloth and determined the surface properties of the rubbed film using an atomic force microscope and contact angle measurements. In addition, we evaluated the cell adhesion behavior on the rubbed polyimide film using a phase contrast microscope. Interestingly, a rubbed polyimide surface having a micrometer‐scale grooved pattern was prepared by the rubbing method, and the morphologies of rat primary hepatocytes and human liver cell lines attached to the rubbed surface were three‐dimensional multicellular spheroids, while the cells on an unrubbed surface showed two‐dimensional monolayers. This initial study indicates that the rubbing method without any chemical modification is simple and can easily produce large surface areas, suggesting that the rubbing may become a novel cell culture method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell culture on NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films: a preliminary study for vascular graft development

Tissue engineering offers the potential of providing vessels that can be used to replace diseased and damaged native blood vessels. The endothelization of a synthetic vascular graft minimizes the failures associated with blood clotting and platelet activation. The aim of this study was to culture vascular-derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells on both untreated and NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films, a biocompatible and bio-resorbable polymer, and to evaluate the behavior of both cell types as a preliminary study for vascular graft development. PCL films were prepared by hot pressing; characterized by DSC, IR, SEM, and scanning force microscopy; and treated with NaOH to increase the surface hydrophilicity before cell culture. Endothelial and smooth muscle cells, isolated from pig cava vein, were characterized by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy studies of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Good adhesion, growth, viability and morphology of both the endothelial and smooth muscle cells on PCL films were obtained, but a light stimulation of mitochondrial activity was observed during short culture times. NaOH treatment improved the adhesion and enhanced the proliferation in both cell types. This verified the possible use of this modified polymer as a support in the preparation of a synthetic vascular graft. [Diagram: see text] SEM micrograph of smooth muscle cells cultured on NaOH-treated PCL film. (Original magnification: 1000x).     

Thin films of nylon 13,13 casted on water: Morphology and properties

Substrate-free thin film of Nylon 13,13 has been prepared continuously by casting the polymer on a water surface from m-cresol solution. The uniform thickness of film is ca. 500 A, as measured with a Profilometer. Film morphology and properties have been characterized by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, wide-angle x-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and by contact angle measurements. Results show that there is no preferential accumulation of the amide group toward the water surface. A spherulite structure exists in this film with a crystallinity of 26% by DSC. Fibers were drawn from the films which had a tensile modulus of 5 GPa, stiffer than reported for this nylon as prepared by other means. Other members of the nylon series, such as Nylon 6, Nylon 12, have also been prepared in films by the same casting method under modified conditions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

In situ Raman spectroscopic studies on potential-induced structural changes in polyaniline thin films synthesized via surface-initiated electropolymerization on covalently modified gold surface

The work describes the in situ Raman spectroelectrochemical studies on polyaniline (PANi) thin films covalently bound to the modified gold surface. The PANi thin films were synthesized via surface-initiated electrochemical polymerization on gold substrates initially modified by the formation of self-assembled monolayer of 4-aminothiophenol, or comparatively by the electrografting of 4-nitrobenzenediazonium salt followed by the electrochemical reduction of aromatic nitro-groups to form aniline-containing monolayer. Due to the defined surface-chain bonding and the ordered polymer structure, the obtained thin PANi films exhibit a narrow peak separation of the polymer redox transitions and negatively shifted potential of its full oxidation, as revealed by the PANi Raman spectra recorded at controlled potentials and cyclic voltammetry measurements.     

Anti-biofouling properties of amphiphilic phosphorylcholine polymer films

Surfaces of amphiphilic phosphorylcholine polymer (PC1036) prepared by spin-coating were characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry, water contact angle and atomic force microscopy. The antifouling properties of the PC1036 films to marine benthic diatom Nitzschia closterium MMDL533 were also investigated. The results showed that the dry PC1036 film promoted the adhesion of N. closterium MMDL533 because the hydrophobic lauryl groups were present in the film surface. The 2 h-swelled PC1036 films had excellent anti-fouling properties with extremely low attachment densities and retention densities no matter what the annealing temperature was. The thickness of the coated films lower than 147 Å had a profound effect on the film anti-fouling properties. Otherwise, when the film thickness was higher than that value, there was no more improvement of diatom cell reduction observed. The annealing temperature had only a little effect on the film resistant to diatom adhesion, which might be attributed to two factors including the PC group packing densities in the outer PC layer and the equilibrated water volume fraction in the 2 h-swelled PC1036 films.     

球形羟基磷灰石纳米颗粒的可控合成及其对间充质干细胞生长分化的影响

本文采用CTAB为添加剂进行球形纳米相羟基磷灰石(nHAP)的可控合成，并采用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X-射线衍射仪(XRD)、傅立叶变换红外光谱仪(FTIR)和精密接触角测量仪对所制得的纳米颗粒的物性进行了表征。结果表明所制得的纳米颗粒为部分结晶的羟基磷灰石，颗粒为均匀球形，粒径约为20 nm，具有很好的亲水性。由该纳米颗粒构成的生长基质有利于骨髓间充质干细胞的贴壁、增殖以及成骨分化，是一种良好的骨组织工程支架材料。     

Endothelial cell adhesion on polyelectrolyte multilayer films functionalised with fibronectin and collagen

The seeding of endothelial cells on biomaterial surfaces has become a major challenge to achieve better haemocompatibility of these surfaces. Multilayers of polyelectrolytes formed by the layerby-layer method are promising in this respect. In this study, the interactions of endothelial cells with multilayered polyelectrolytes films were investigated. The build-ups were prepared by selfassembled alternatively adsorbed polyanions and polycations functionalised with fibronectin and collagen. Anionic poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) and cationic poly(allylamine hydrochloride) polyelectrolytes were chosen as a model system. Elaborated surfaces were characterised by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The modified electrode showed good reversible electrochemical properties and high stability in an electrolyte solution. The film ohmic resistance was highest when the film was coated with fibronectin; the parameters so determined were correlated with atomic force microscopy images. Cell colorimetric assay (WST-1) and immunofluorescence were used to quantify the cell viability and evaluate the adhesion properties. When cultured on a surface where proteins were deposited, cells adhered and proliferated better with fibronectin than with collagen. In addition, a high surface free energy was favourable to adhesion and proliferation (48.8 mJ m⁻² for fibronectin and 39.7 mJ m⁻² for collagen, respectively). Endothelial cells seeded on functionalised-polyelectrolyte multilayer films showed a good morphology and adhesion necessary for the development of a new endothelium.     

Tuning Cell Adhesion by Incorporation of Charged Silicate Nanoparticles as Cross‐Linkers to Polyethylene Oxide

Controlling cell adhesion on a biomaterial surface is associated with the long‐term efficacy of an implanted material. Here we connect the material properties of nanocomposite films made from PEO physically cross‐linked with layered silicate nanoparticles (Laponite) to cellular adhesion. Fibroblast cells do not adhere to pure PEO, but they attach to silicate containing nanocomposites. Under aqueous conditions, the films swell and the degree of swelling depends on the nanocomposite composition and film structure. Higher PEO compositions do not support cell proliferation due to little exposed silicate surfaces. Higher silicate compositions do allow significant cell proliferation and spreading. These bio‐nanocomposites have potential for the development of biomedical materials that can control cellular adhesion.

     

Layer-by-layer films of enzymatically synthesized poly(aniline)/bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid) for the construction of nanocapacitors

Poly(aniline) (PANi) and poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) have been synthesized by enzymatic catalysis and natural bacterial reactions, respectively. Layer-by-layer films have been prepared on glass or quartz slides by alternative immersions of the substrate in dilute solutions of γ-PGA and PANi, with several rinsing in between each deposition. UV-vis spectroscopy has been used to follow the evolution of the self-assembly process as well as to characterize the oxidative states of PANi. The linear dependence of the absorbance vs. the number of layers indicates a constant increase of thickness layer-by-layer. The morphology of the multilayer films, analyzed by atomic force microscopy, is granular type. Enzymatically synthesized PANi nanofilms present good electrical conductivity while γ-PGA acts as an insulating material. These differences in electrical properties and the possibility to obtain alternated multilayered films permit the construction of entirely “biological” nanocapacitors.     

Plasma surface modification of chitosan membranes: characterization and preliminary cell response studies

Surface modification of biomaterials is a way to tailor cell responses whilst retaining the bulk properties. In this work, chitosan membranes were prepared by solvent casting and treated with nitrogen or argon plasma at 20 W for 10-40 min. AFM indicated an increase in the surface roughness as a result of the ongoing etching process. XPS and contact angle measurements showed different surface elemental compositions and higher surface free energy. The MTS test and direct contact assays with an L929 fibroblast cell line indicated that the plasma treatment improved the cell adhesion and proliferation. Overall, the results demonstrated that such plasma treatments could significantly improve the biocompatibility of chitosan membranes and thus improve their potential in wound dressings and tissue engineering applications.     

Tribological properties of self-assembled monolayers of catecholic imidazolium and the spin-coated films of ionic liquids

A novel compound of an imidazolium type of ionic liquid (IL) containing a biomimetic catecholic functional group normally seen in mussel adhesive proteins was synthesized. The IL can be immobilized on a silicon surface and a variety of other engineering material surfaces via the catecholic anchor, allowing the tribological protection of these substrates for engineering applications. The surface wetting and adhesive properties and the tribological property of the synthesized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are successfully modulated by altering the counteranions. The chemical composition and wettability of the IL SAMs were characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle (CA) measurements. The adhesive and friction forces were measured with an atomic force microscope (AFM) on the nanometer scale. IL composite films were prepared by spin coating thin IL films on top of the SAMs. The macrotribological properties of these IL composite films were investigated with a pin-on-disk tribometer. The results indicate that the presence of IL SAMs on a surface can improve the wettability of spin-coated ionic liquids and thus the film quality and the tribological properties. These films registered a reduced friction coefficient and a significantly enhanced durability and load-carrying capacity. The tribological properties of the composite films are better than those of pure IL films because the presence of the monolayers improves the adhesion and compatibility of spin-coated IL films with substrates.