Enhancing growth human endothelial cells on Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) embedded poly (?-caprolactone) (PCL) surface with nanometer scale of surface disturbance

Current Applications of Polycaprolactone as a Scaffold Material for Heart Regeneration

Despite numerous advances in treatments for cardiovascular disease, heart failure (HF) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. A significant factor contributing to the progression of cardiovascular diseases into HF is the loss of functioning cardiomyocytes. The recent growth in the field of cardiac tissue engineering has the potential to not only reduce the downstream effects of injured tissues on heart function and longevity but also re-engineer cardiac function through regeneration of contractile tissue. One leading strategy to accomplish this is via a cellularized patch that can be surgically implanted onto a diseased heart. A key area of this field is the use of tissue scaffolds to recapitulate the mechanical and structural environment of the native heart and thus promote engineered myocardium contractility and function. While the strong mechanical properties and anisotropic structural organization of the native heart can be largely attributed to a robust extracellular matrix, similar strength and organization has proven to be difficult to achieve in cultured tissues. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an emerging contender to fill these gaps in fabricating scaffolds that mimic the mechanics and structure of the native heart. In the field of cardiovascular engineering, PCL has recently begun to be studied as a scaffold for regenerating the myocardium due to its facile fabrication, desirable mechanical, chemical, and biocompatible properties, and perhaps most importantly, biodegradability, which make it suitable for regenerating and re-engineering function to the heart after disease or injury. This review focuses on the application of PCL as a scaffold specifically in myocardium repair and regeneration and outlines current fabrication approaches, properties, and possibilities of PCL incorporation into engineered myocardium, as well as provides suggestions for future directions and a roadmap toward clinical translation of this technology.

Inflammatory response and biomechanical properties of coaxial scaffolds for engineered skin in vitro and post-grafting

Engineered skin (ES) offers many advantages over split-thickness skin autografts for the treatment of burn wounds. However, ES, both in vitro and after grafting, is often significantly weaker, less elastic and more compliant than normal human skin. Biomechanical properties of ES can be tuned in vitro using electrospun co-axial (CoA) scaffolds. To explore the potential for coaxial scaffold-based ES use in vivo, two CoA scaffolds were fabricated with bioactive gelatin shells and biodegradable synthetic cores of polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), and compared with gelatin monofilament scaffolds. Fibroblast and macrophage production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor β-1 was significantly higher when cultured on PLA and PCL monofilament scaffolds compared to gelatin monofilament scaffolds. The core-shell fiber configuration significantly reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines to levels similar to those of gelatin monofilament scaffolds. In vitro, ES mechanical properties were significantly enhanced using CoA scaffolds; however, after grafting CoA- and gelatin-based ES to full-thickness excisional wounds on athymic mice, the in vitro mechanical advantage of CoA grafts was lost. A substantially increased inflammatory response to CoA-based ES was observed, with upregulation of IL-6 expression and a significant M2 macrophage presence. Additionally, expression of matrix metalloproteinase I was upregulated and collagen type I alpha 1 was downregulated in CoA ES two weeks after grafting. These results suggest that while coaxial scaffolds provide the ability to regulate biomechanics in vitro, further investigation of the inflammatory response to core materials is required to optimize this strategy for clinical use. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Engineered skin has been used to treat very large burn injuries. Despite its ability to heal these wounds, engineered skin exhibits reduced biomechanical properties making it challenging to manufacture and surgically apply. Coaxial fiber scaffolds have been utilized to tune the mechanical properties of engineered skin while maintaining optimal biological properties but it is not known how these perform on a patient especially with regards to their inflammatory response. The current study examines the biomechanical and inflammatory properties of coaxial scaffolds and uniaxial scaffolds in vitro and in vivo. The results show that the biological response to the scaffold materials is a critical determinant of tissue properties after grafting with reduced inflammation and rapid scaffold remodeling leading to stronger skin.

Enhanced Patency and Endothelialization of Small-Caliber Vascular Grafts Fabricated by Coimmobilization of Heparin and Cell-Adhesive Peptides

The clinical utility of a small-caliber vascular graft is still limited, owing to the occlusion of graft by thrombosis and restenosis. A small-caliber vascular graft (diameter, 2.5 mm) fabricated by electrospinning with a polyurethane (PU) elastomer (Pellethane) and biofunctionalized with heparin and two cell-adhesive peptides, GRGDS and YIGSR, was developed for the purpose of preventing the thrombosis and restenosis through antithrombogenic activities and endothelialization. The vascular grafts showed slightly reduced adhesion of platelets and significantly decreased adsorption of fibrinogen. In vitro studies demonstrated that peptide treatment on a vascular graft enhanced the attachment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and the presence of heparin and peptides on the graft significantly increased the proliferation of HUVECs. In vivo implantation of heparin/peptides coimmobilized graft (PU-PEG-Hep/G+Y) and PU (control) grafts was performed using an abdominal aorta rabbit model for 60 days followed by angiographic monitoring and explanting for histological analyses. The patency was significantly higher for the modified PU grafts (71.4%) compared to the PU grafts (46.2%) at 9 weeks after implantation. The nontreated PU grafts showed higher levels of α-SMA expression compared to the modified grafts, and for both samples, the proximal and distal regions expressed higher levels compared to the middle region of the grafts. Moreover, immobilization of heparin and peptides and adequate porous structure were found to play important roles in endothelialization and cellular infiltration. Our results strongly encourage that the development of small-caliber vascular grafts is feasible.

Nanostructured Polyaniline Coating on ITO Glass Promotes the Neurite Outgrowth of PC 12 Cells by Electrical Stimulation

A conducting polymer polyaniline (PANI) with nanostructure was synthesized on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. The effect of electrical stimulation on the proliferation and the length of neurites of PC 12 cells was investigated. The dynamic protein adsorption on PANI and ITO surfaces in a cell culture medium was also compared with and without electrical stimulation. The adsorbed proteins were characterized using SDS-PAGE. A PANI coating on ITO surface was shown with 30-50 nm spherical nanostructure. The number of PC 12 cells was significantly greater on the PANI/ITO surface than on ITO and plate surfaces after cell seeding for 24 and 36 h. This result confirmed that the PANI coating is nontoxic to PC 12 cells. The electrical stimulation for 1, 2, and 4 h significantly enhanced the cell numbers for both PANI and ITO conducting surfaces. Moreover, the application of electrical stimulation also improved the neurite outgrowth of PC 12 cells, and the number of PC 12 cells with longer neurite lengths increased obviously under electrical stimulation for the PANI surface. From the mechanism, the adsorption of DMEM proteins was found to be enhanced by electrical stimulation for both PANI/ITO and ITO surfaces. A new band 2 (around 37 kDa) was observed from the collected adsorbed proteins when PC 12 cells were cultured on these surfaces, and culturing PC 12 cells also seemed to increase the amount of band 1 (around 90 kDa). When immersing PANI/ITO and ITO surfaces in a DMEM medium without a cell culture, the number of band 3 (around 70 kDa) and band 4 (around 45 kDa) proteins decreased compared to that of PC 12 cell cultured surfaces. These results are valuable for the design and improvement of the material performance for neural regeneration.

From flab to fab: transforming surgical waste into an effective bioactive coating material

Cellular events are regulated by the interaction between integrin receptors in the cell membrane and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Hence, ECM, as a material, can potentially play an instructive role in cell-material interactions. Currently, adipose tissue in the form of lipoaspirate is often discarded. Here, it is demonstrated how our chemical-free decellularization method could be used to obtain ECM from human lipoaspirate waste material. These investigations show that the main biological components are retained in the lipoaspirate-derived ECM (LpECM) material and that this LpECM material could subsequently be used as a coating material to confer bioactivity to an otherwise inert biodegradable material (i.e., polycaprolactone). Overall, lipoaspirate material, a complex blend of endogenous proteins, is effectively used a bioactive coating material. This work is an important stepping-stone towards the development of biohybrid scaffolds that contain cellular benefits without requiring the use of additional biologics based on commonly discarded lipoaspirate material.

Fibro-porous poliglecaprone/polycaprolactone conduits: synergistic effect of composition and in vitro degradation on mechanical properties

Blends of poliglecaprone (PGC) and polycaprolactone (PCL) of varying compositions were electrospun into tubular conduits and their mechanical, morphological, thermal and in vitro degradation properties were evaluated under simulated physiological conditions. Generally, mechanical strength, modulus and hydrophilic nature were enhanced by the addition of PGC to PCL. An in vitro degradation study in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.3) was carried out for up to 1 month to understand the hydrolytic degradation effect on the mechanical properties in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions. Pure PCL and 4:1 PCL/PGC blend scaffolds exhibited considerable elastic stiffening after a 1 month in vitro degradation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and DSC techniques were used to understand the degradation behavior and the changes in structure and crystallinity of the polymeric blends. A 3:1 PCL/PGC blend was concluded to be a judicious blend composition for tubular grafts based on overall results on the mechanical properties and performance after a 1 month in vitro degradation study.

Immobilization of gelatin onto poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted polycaprolactone substrates for improved cell-material interactions

To enhance the cytocompatibility of polycaprolactone (PCL), cell-adhesive gelatin is covalently immobilized onto the PCL film surface via two surface-modified approaches: a conventional chemical immobilization process and a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. Kinetics studies reveal that the polymer chain growth from the PCL film using the ATRP process is formed in a controlled manner, and that the amount of immobilized gelatin increases with an increasing concentration of epoxide groups on the grafted P(GMA) brushes. In vitro cell adhesion and proliferation studies demonstrate that cell affinity and growth are significantly improved by the immobilization of gelatin on PCL film surfaces, and that this improvement is positively correlated to the amount of covalently immobilized gelatin. With the versatility of the ATRP process and tunable grafting efficacy of gelatin, this study offers a suitable methodology for the functionalization of biodegradable polyesters scaffolds to improve cell-material interactions.

Scaffolds in tissue engineering of blood vessels

Tissue engineering of small diameter (<5 mm) blood vessels is a promising approach for developing viable alternatives to autologous vascular grafts. It involves in vitro seeding of cells onto a scaffold on which the cells attach, proliferate, and differentiate while secreting the components of extracellular matrix that are required for creating the tissue. The scaffold should provide the initial requisite mechanical strength to withstand in vivo hemodynamic forces until vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts reinforce the extracellular matrix of the vessel wall. Hence, the choice of scaffold is crucial for providing guidance cues to the cells to behave in the required manner to produce tissues and organs of the desired shape and size. Several types of scaffolds have been used for the reconstruction of blood vessels. They can be broadly classified as biological scaffolds, decellularized matrices, and polymeric biodegradable scaffolds. This review focuses on the different types of scaffolds that have been designed, developed, and tested for tissue engineering of blood vessels, including use of stem cells in vascular tissue engineering.

Functional stability of endothelial cells on a novel hybrid scaffold for vascular tissue engineering

Porous and pliable conduits made of biodegradable polymeric scaffolds offer great potential for the development of blood vessel substitutes but they generally lack signals for cell proliferation, survival and maintenance of a normal phenotype. In this study we have prepared and evaluated porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) integrated with fibrin composite (FC) to get a biomimetic hybrid scaffold (FC PCL) with the biological properties of fibrin, fibronectin (FN), gelatin, growth factors and glycosaminoglycans. Reduced platelet adhesion on a human umbilical vein endothelial cell-seeded hybrid scaffold as compared to bare PCL or FC PCL was observed, which suggests the non-thrombogenic nature of the tissue-engineered scaffold. Analysis of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after 5 days of endothelial cell (EC) culture on a hybrid scaffold indicated that the prothrombotic von Willebrand factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) were quiescent and stable. Meanwhile, dynamic expressions of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase indicated the desired cell phenotype on the scaffold. On the hybrid scaffold, shear stress could induce enhanced nitric oxide release, which implicates vaso-responsiveness of EC grown on the tissue-engineered construct. Significant upregulation of mRNA for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, collagen IV and elastin, in EC was detected by RT-PCR after growing them on the hybrid scaffold and FC-coated tissue culture polystyrene (FC TCPS) but not on FN-coated TCPS. The results indicate that the FC PCL hybrid scaffold can accomplish a remodeled ECM and non-thrombogenic EC phenotype, and can be further investigated as a scaffold for cardiovascular tissue engineering.

Silk fibroin/chitosan-hyaluronic acid versus silk fibroin scaffolds for tissue engineering: promoting cell proliferations in vitro

The feasibility of silk fibroin protein (SF) scaffolds for tissue engineering applications to promote cell proliferation has been demonstrated, as well as the ability to mimic natural extra-cellular matrix (ECM), SF/chitosan (CS), a polysaccharide, scaffolds for tissue engineering. However, the response of cells to SF/CS-hyaluronic acid (SF/CS-HA) scaffolds has not been examined, which this study attempts to do and then compares those results with those of SF scaffolds. SF/CS-HA microparticles were fabricated to produce scaffolds in order to examine the proliferations of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) in the scaffolds. Positive zeta potentials and ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed the co-existence of SF and CS-HA in SF/CS-HA microparticles. HDF proliferated well and migrated into SF/CS-HA scaffolds for around 160 mum in depth, as well as those in SF scaffolds after 7 days of cultivation, as observed using confocal microscopy. Interestingly, HDF grown in SF/CS-HA scaffolds had a markedly higher cell density than that in SF ones. Additionally, MTT assay revealed that the growth rates of HDF in SF/CS-HA scaffolds significantly exceeded (P < 0.01, n = 5) those in scaffolds of SF and SF/CS. The daily glucose consumptions and lactate formations, metabolic parameters, of HDF grown in SF/CS-HA and SF/CS scaffolds were significantly higher (P < 0.01, n = 3) than those in SF ones in most culturing days. Results of this study suggest that SF/CS-HA scaffolds have better cell responses for tissue engineering applications than SF ones.

The application of type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate grafted PCL porous scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering

This study investigates a poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-graft-type II collagen-graft-chondroitin sulfate (PCL-g-COL-g-CS) biomaterial as a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering. Biodegradable polyester, PCL, was utilized to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds by particulate leaching. The PCL scaffold was then surface modified by chemical bonding of 1,6-hexanediamine and the grafting of a bioactive polymer layer of COL and CS with the help of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl- aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) on the modified PCL surface to produce PCL-g-COL and PCL-g-COL-g-CS, respectively. The characteristics of these modified and grafted matrices were examined by ESCA, aminolysis, collagen and CS assay, porosity and water-binding capacity. Grafted COL and CS markedly increased water-binding capacity, and promoted the spreading and growth of chondrocytes. During a 4-week culture period, PCL-g-COL and PCL-g-COL-g-CS matrices both provided more cell proliferation, as determined by measuring the DNA assay. Additionally, a larger amount of secreted collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) appeared in the PCL-g-COL-g-CS matrices than in the control (PCL) as indicated by the histochemical sections via Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, Masson trichrome stain and Safranin-O stain. The chondrocytes were induced to function normally; the cell phenotype was maintained, and the GAGs and collagen in the PCL-g-COL-g-CS scaffold were secreted in vitro. These results serve as a basis for future studies of the fabrication process and reveal the potential biocompatibility of the biomimetic matrix for regenerating articular cartilage or other organs.

Comparison of bone marrow stromal cell behaviors on poly(caprolactone) with or without surface modification: studies on cell adhesion, survival and proliferation

Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) is a promising biodegradable polymer for tissue engineering. However, intrinsically poor cell-adhesive properties of PCL may limit its application. In this study, the PCL film surface was modified with RGDC peptide by a chemical immobilization procedure. Furthermore, bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) behaviors including attachment, spreading, focal adhesion formation, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation, apoptosis and proliferation when cultured on the modified PCL films were investigated. Our results demonstrated that PCL with RGD modification promoted initial BMSC attachment, spreading and focal adhesion formation. At a later time point (12 h), BMSC attachment on both RGD peptide-modified PCL and PCL-NH(2) films significantly increased compared to untreated PCL films. Importantly, FAK phosphorylation was significantly increased only on the films with RGD-modified films, not on the PCL-NH(2) films, demonstrating that PCL with RGD modification had an advantage in initiating the specific integrin-mediated signal transduction and might play an important role in the subsequent retardation in cell death and enhancement in cell proliferation. The present results provide more evidence that functionalizing PCL with RGD peptides may be a feasible way to improve the interaction between BMSC and PCL substrate, which is important in tissue engineering.

RGD modified PLGA/gelatin microspheres as microcarriers for chondrocyte delivery

Poly(lactide-co-glycotide) (PLGA)/gelatin composite microspheres were prepared by an emulsion solvent evaporation technique. RGDS peptides were further immobilized under the catalyzation of water soluble carbodiimide (EDAC). Confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the gelatin was entrapped in the PLGA/gelatin microspheres with a manner of separated domains. The contents of the entrapped gelatin and immobilized RGDS peptides were quantified as 0.9 mg/20 mg and approximately 2.1 microg/20 mg microspheres by hydroxyproline analysis and bicinchoninic acid protein assay, respectively. Moreover, difference in morphology of PLGA, PLGA/gelatin and RGDS modified PLGA/gelatin (PLGA/gelatin-RGDS) microspheres was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The PLGA/gelatin and PLGA/gelatin-RGDS microspheres lost their weight rapidly in PBS, but slowly in DMEM/fetal bovine serum. Rabbit auricular chondrocytes were seeded onto the microspheres in vitro to assess their biological performance and applicability as cell carriers. Results show that amongst the PLGA, PLGA/gelatin and PLGA/gelatin-RGDS microspheres, the latter ones have the best performance in terms of chondrocyte attachment, proliferation, viability and sulfated glycosaminoglycans secretion.

Ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone initiated by the antitumor agent doxifluridine

A novel 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (5'-DFUR-PCL) polymer was synthesized from the antitumor agent doxifluridine (5'-DFUR) by the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (epsilon-CL) using Sn(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)2) as the catalyst. The structure and molecular weight of these polymers were further elucidated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and gel-permeation chromatography. The results revealed that the molecular weights of the 5'-DFUR-PCL polymers were close to the theoretical values calculated from the epsilon-CL to 5'-DFUR molar ratios and their recovery yields were as high as 90%. Two mechanisms of epsilon-CL polymerization initiated by Sn(Oct)2 were proposed involving either a single or two 5'-DFUR molecules. This study has provided an efficient method for the preparation of 5'-DFUR-PCL polymers. These novel 5'-DFUR-PCL polymers can be applied as drugs on carriers without the need for the coating or grafting processes associated with drugs in drug delivery and have great potential for cancer therapy.

Chemical and biological characterization of thiol SAMs for neuronal cell attachment

Cellular adhesion and growth on solid-state surfaces is the central theme in the development of cell-based biosensors and implantable medical devices. Suitable interface techniques must be applied to construct stable and well-organized thin films of biologically active molecules that would control the development of neuronal cells on chips. Peptides such as RGD fragments, poly-L-lysine (PLL), or basal lamina proteins, such as laminin or fibronectin, are often used in order to promote cellular adhesion on surfaces. In this paper we describe the characterization of several self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for their ability to anchor a laminin-derived synthetic peptide, PA22-2, a peptide known to promote neuronal attachment and stimulate neurite outgrowth. We have evaluated the immobilization of PA22-2 onto 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid, 4-maleimide-N-(11-undecyldithio)butanamide, and 2-(maleimide)ethyl-N-(11-hexaethylene oxide-undecyldithio)acetamide SAM functionalized Au substrates. The neuronal attachment and outgrowth have been evaluated in embryonic mouse hippocampal neuron cultures up to 14 days in vitro. Our results show that differences in the cell morphologies were observed on the surfaces modified with various SAMs, despite the minor differences in chemical composition identified using standard characterization tools. These different cell morphologies can most probably be explained when investigating the effect of a given SAM layer on the adsorption of proteins present in the culture medium. More likely, it is the ratio between the specific PA22-2 adsorption and nonspecific medium protein adsorption that controls the cellular morphology. Large amounts of adsorbed medium proteins could screen the PA22-2 sites required for cellular attachment.

Development of a fibrin composite-coated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) scaffold for potential vascular tissue engineering applications

Poor cell adhesion, cytotoxicity of degradation products and lack of biological signals for cell growth, survival, and tissue generation are the limitations in the use of a biodegradable polymer scaffold for vascular tissue engineering. We have fabricated a hybrid scaffold by integrating physicochemical characteristics of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and biomimetic property of a composite of fibrin, fibronectin, gelatin, growth factors, and proteoglycans to improve EC growth on the scaffold. Solvent cast porous films of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) was prepared using PEG as a porogen. Porosity varied between 5 and 200 microm, and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed structural aspects of PCL. Films kept in PBS for 60 days showed tensile strength and elongation matching native blood vessel. Slow degradation of the scaffold was demonstrated by gravimetric analysis and molecular weight determination. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) adhesion and proliferation on bare films were minimal. FTIR spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) of PCL-fibrin hybrid scaffold confirmed the presence of fibrin composite on PCL film. HUVEC was subsequently cultured on hybrid scaffold, and continuous EC lining was observed in 15 and 30 days of culture using ESEM. Results suggest that the new hybrid scaffold can be a suitable candidate for cardiovascular tissue engineering.

Enhancing growth and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts on chitosan grafted poly (epsilon-caprolactone) films is influenced by nano-roughness chitosan surfaces

The bioactivity of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films is improved by grafting chitosan (CS) surfaces with various values of nano-roughness on PCL surfaces. To examine the effects of the design, growing human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) on the films was conducted. Various values of nano-rough CS surfaces were cast using nano-rough PCL molds that had been fabricated using a solvent-etched technique. The features of nano-CS/PCL surfaces were characterized using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to observe the topography and to determine the value of centerline average roughness of a surface, R(a). The R(a) values of the nano-CS/PCL films were 36.8 +/- 1.6, 100.0 +/- 3.0, and 148 +/- 7.0 nm, while that of the smooth CS/PCL film was 12.5 +/- 1.6 nm. The growth and proliferation of HGFs on the films are elucidated by fluorescent staining and analyzed by MTT viability assay following three and 7 days of culture. The viability assay of the cells reveals that the growth rates of HGFs on both CS/PCL and nano-CS/PCL films significantly exceed (95% or more; P < 0.001) those of PCL on both days, demonstrating the improvement of the bioactivity of PCL films by grafting CS. Additionally, the growth rates and proliferations of HGFs on nano-CS/PCL films of roughness 100 and 148 nm markedly exceed (15% or more; P < 0.001) those on 36.8 nm nano-CS/PCL and CS/PCL films, after both periods of culturing, indicating that the high nano-roughness CS surfaces further enhance the growth rate of HGFs. In conclusion, markedly improving the bioactivity of PCL films by grafting CS is demonstrated. Moreover, high nano-roughness of nano-CS/PCL films can further accelerate the growth and proliferation of HGFs compared with those of CS/PCL films. This work presents a new concept for designing biomaterials in tissue engineering.

RGD peptide-immobilized electrospun matrix of polyurethane for enhanced endothelial cell affinity

An Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-immobilized electrospun matrix of polyurethane (PU) was developed for the enhanced affinity of endothelial cells (EC). The novel PU matrix was fabricated as a vascular shape using the electrospinning technique. Then, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was immobilized on the porous PU matrix as a spacer, followed by conjugating RGD peptide to the amino end group of the PEG chain. In the proliferation test of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on the modified PU matrix, the RGD-immobilized porous matrix showed enhanced viability of HUVEC as compared with an unmodified surface, demonstrating that the presence of RGD peptide promoted HUVEC proliferation. In addition, the RGD-immobilized PU porous matrix revealed higher cell viability than the RGD-immobilized PU film because of the porous structure with higher surface area, indicating an advantageous property of the porous matrix for HUVEC proliferation.

In vitro study on the influence of strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate on the angiogenesis-related behaviors of HUVECs

Angiogenesis is of great importance in bone tissue engineering, and has gained large attention in the past decade. Strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate (SCPP) is a novel biodegradable material which has been proved to be able to promote in vivo angiogenesis during bone regeneration. An in vitro culture system was developed in the present work to examine its influence on angiogenesis-related behaviors of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), including cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation and migration. The effects of microtopography, chemical property and the ingredients in the degradation fluid (DF) on cell behaviors were discussed. The results showed that cells attached and spread better on SCPP scaffold than on calcium polyphosphate (CPP), which might partially result from the less rough surface of SCPP scaffold and the less hydrogel formed on the surface. In addition, cell proliferation was significantly improved when treated with SCPP DF compared with the treatment with CPP DF. Statistical analysis indicated that Sr(2+) in SCPP DF might be the main reason for the improved cell proliferation. Moreover, cell migration, another important step during angiogenesis, was evidently stimulated by SCPP DF. The improved in vivo angiogenesis by SCPP might be assigned to its better surface properties and strontium in the DF. This work also provides a new method for in vitro evaluation of biodegradable materials' potential effects on angiogenesis.

Evaluation of multi-target and single-target liposomal drugs for the treatment of gastric cancer

We studied the effects of multi- and single-target liposomal drugs on human gastric cancer cell AGS both in vitro and in vivo. The cytotoxic effect of dihydrotanshinone I was significantly enhanced by treatment with octreotide-polyethylene glycol(PEG)-liposome, Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD)-PEG-liposome, and RGD/octreotide-PEG-liposome encapsulated with 0.5 mug/ml of dihydrotanshinone I to AGS cell for 24 h, compared to control. Furthermore, the AGS cell survival rate for multi-target versus single target liposomal drugs was significantly suppressed. Microscopic examination revealed that significant cell death occurred in the multi- and single-target liposomal encapsulated drug groups. Significant suppression of tumor growth in AGS cell xenograft nude mice given octreotide-PEG-liposome, RGD/octreotide-PEG-liposome encapsulated drug, versus those given a free drug was noted after 13 d of experimentation with the multi-targeted liposome: up to 60.75% and 41.2% reduction of tumor volume as compared to dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) control and the free drug groups respectively. The treated animals showed no gross signs of toxicity. The results have potential clinical application.

Accelerating thrombolysis with chitosan-coated plasminogen activators encapsulated in poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles

Accelerating thrombolysis using plasminogen activators (PAs) encapsulated liposomes or PEG microparticles by pressure-driven permeation have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in animal models. However, designing and delivering PA-encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance thrombolysis by applying electrostatic forces or ligand-receptor interactions between the NPs and blood clots has not been proposed. Therefore, without a pressure-driving factor, tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) encapsulated in PLGA NPs with chitosan (CS) and CS-GRGD coating and their thrombolysis capabilities in a blood clot-occluded tube model were evaluated by determining clot lysis times and the masses of the digested clots. The characteristics and release profiles of t-PA-encapsulated PLGA, PLGA/CS and PLGA/CS-GRGD NPs are determined by FT-IR, a laser particle/zeta potential analyzer and HPLC. Additionally, the permeation capacities of the NPs into flat blood clots were examined. For example, the mean particle sizes and encapsulation efficacies of t-PA for the NPs are in the ranges 260-320 nm and 65.5-70.5%, respectively. The results reveal that the NPs for the shortest clot lysis time and the highest weight percentages of digested clot are PLGA/CS (20.7 +/- 0.7 min) and PLGA/CS-GRGD (25.7 +/- 1.3 wt%), respectively. Compared with t-PA solution, the NPs can significantly shorten clot lysis times in the following order: PLGA/CS NPs (38.8 +/- 1.5%) > PLGA/CS-GRGD NPs (16.3 +/- 1.0%) > PLGA NPs (7.7 +/- 1.2%). Compared with t-PA solution, the NPs significantly increase the weight of digested clots in the order, PLGA/CS-GRGD (40.9 +/- 1.5%) > PLGA/CS (27.8 +/- 1.2%) > PLGA (8.6 +/- 0.6%). The highest release rate of t-PA in the fast release phase and the highest permeability into intra-clots of PLGA/CS and PLGA/CS-GRGD NPs, respectively, correspond to the shortest clot lysis time and the largest increase in weight of the digested clots among the NP system. In conclusion, the NPs designed based on new concepts significantly accelerate thrombolysis in vitro in this model, and may be useful in clinical study.

Small-diameter porous poly (epsilon-caprolactone) films enhance adhesion and growth of human cultured epidermal keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast cells

Autologous keratinocyte grafts provide clinical benefit by rapidly covering wounded areas, but they are fragile. We therefore developed biocompatible hexagonal-packed porous films with uniform, circular pore sizes to support human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Cells were cultured on these porous poly (epsilon-calprolactone) films with pore sizes ranging from novel ultra-small 3 microm to 20 microm. These were compared with flat (pore-less) films. Cell growth rates, adhesion, migration, and ultrastructural morphology were examined. Human keratinocytes and fibroblasts attached to all films. Furthermore, small-pore (3-5 microm) films showed the highest levels of cell adhesion and survival and prevented migration into the pores and opposing film surface. Keratinocyte migration over small-pore film surface was inhibited. Keratinocytes optimally attached to 3-microm-pore films due to a combination of greater pore numbers (porosity), a greater circumference of the pore edge per unit surface area, and greater frequency of flat surface areas for attachment, allowing better cell-substrate and cell-cell attachment and growth. The 3-microm pore size allowed cell-cell communication, together with diffusion of soluble nutrients and factors from the culture medium or wound substrate. These characteristics are considered important in developing grafts for use in the treatment of human skin wounds.

Cytocompatibility of poly(acrylonitrile-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) membranes with human endothelial cells and macrophages

Polyacrylonitrile modified with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) shows good hemocompatibility. This work, which aims to evaluate the cytocompatibility of membranes fabricated from poly(acrylonitrile-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PANCNVP), studied the adhesion of macrophages and endothelial cell (EC) cultures. It was found that PANCNVP membranes with higher NVP content decreased the adhesion of both macrophages and ECs. Compared with polyacrylonitrile and tissue culture polystyrene control, however, these PANCNVP membranes promoted the proliferation of ECs. Furthermore, the viability of ECs cultured on the PANCNVP membrane surfaces was also relatively competitive. Both static and dynamic water contact angle measurements were conducted to explain the nature of cell adhesion to the PANCNVP membranes. On the basis of these results and the phenomena of water swelling and water states reported previously, it was presumed that the coexistence of large amounts of bound water and free water induced by NVP moieties are responsible for the lower adhesion and better function of cells adhering to the PANCNVP membranes.

Poly (e-caprolactone) Grafted With Nano-structured Chitosan Enhances Growth of Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Polyester films are modified with their bioactivity for tissue engineering by grafting a nano-structured bioactive material, nano-structured chitosan (nano-CS), on a model polymer, poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL). The nano-CS was duplicated using a solvent-etched PCL mold and then grafted onto PCL using a selected solvent. The structure of the nano-CS/PCL surface was characterized using an atomic force microscope to observe the topography and determine the roughness. The centerline average roughness, Ra, of the surface of the nano-CS/PCL film is 106.0+/-4.0 nm whereas that of the surface of the CS-grafted PCL film (CS/PCL) is 3.6+/-0.4 nm. The latter is therefore very smooth. CS is known to swell following hydration, so the Ra values were determined again after immersion for 12 h in phosphate buffered saline. Although the centerline average roughness of the nano-CS/PCL was lower, it still markedly exceeded that of the CS/PCL film. Cells grown on nano-CS/PCL, CS/PCL, nano-structured PCL (nano-PCL), and PCL films were observed by fluorescent staining and analyzed by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) viability assay following 3 and 7 days of culture, to evaluate the effects of the design on the growth of fibroblasts. The viability assay of the cells reveals that the growth rate of cells on both CS/PCL and nano-CS/PCL films significantly exceeds (P<0.001) those of PCL and nano-PCL films on both cultural days. Additionally, the growth rate and proliferation of fibroblasts on nano-CS/PCL films significantly exceed (P<0.001) those on CS/PCL films after both periods of culturing, suggesting that the bioactive surface following a nano-structured treatment promotes the growth rate of cells. However, nano-PCL films do not have the same effects as nano-CS/PCL films do. In conclusion, a novel biomaterial, nano-CS/PCL, is developed by grafting a nano-structured bioactive surface, CS, onto the PCL surface to promote the the growth rate of fibroblasts. This work elucidates a new concept for designing films or scaffolds for tissue engineering-the grafting of nano-structured bioactive biomaterials to the films or scaffolds to promote the growth of cells.

Effect of bioactive ceramic dissolution on the mechanism of bone mineralization and guided tissue growthin vitro

A major objective of this research work was to evaluate the effect of bone cells on the dissolution-precipitation reaction in vitro. Rat bone marrow stem cells were seeded on silica-calcium phosphate nano composite (SCPC) with different chemical compositions and crystalline structures. Measurements of the Ca, P, Si, and Na concentrations in the tissue culture media using inductively coupled plasma indicated that bone marrow stem cells attached to the surface of SCPC did not affect the dissolution behavior of the material. However, bone marrow stem cells interfered with the back precipitation reaction and inhibited the formation of a calcium phosphate (Ca-P) layer on the material surface. Scanning electron microscope-energy-dispersive X-ray analyses showed that, in the absence of cells, a Ca-P layer formed on the material surface because of the dissolution-precipitation reaction. Bone cells attached to SCPC that contains high silica content absorbed significantly higher concentrations of medium Ca than cells attached to SCPC that contains low silica content. In conjunction with the absorption of high Ca concentration, attached bone marrow stem cells produced calcified nodules and mineralized extracellular matrix, indicating osteoblastic differentiation. Results of the study strongly suggest that the mechanism of bone mineralization at the interface with bioactive ceramics is mainly cell mediated and is enhanced by the absorption of critical concentrations of dissolved Ca and P. The silicon-rich phase also provided a guided cell adhesion and tissue growth in vitro. The enhanced bioactivity reactions and strong stimulatory effect on bone cell function are attributed to the modified crystalline structure of the SCPC material.