Evaluation of Plasma Modified Polycaprolactone Honeycomb Scaffolds by Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured in Vitamin D Differentiation Medium

Abstract

Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with a honeycomb (hc) microstructure have been prepared, modified at surface level by plasma processes and evaluated with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Thin scaffolds were fabricated by self‐assembly of PCL in the presence of an amphiphilic copolymer under controlled humidity. The surface of the so formed PCLhc scaffolds was modified by Ar and ArO2 plasma discharges and by plasma deposition of allylamine (ALA). Such modification induces composition changes and microstructure modifications as determined by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. As a consequence of these treatments, the hydrophobic character of PCLhc scaffolds is rectified as derived from water contact angle measurements. The hMSC cytocompatibility of these scaffolds was initially assayed under proliferation conditions evaluating surface–cell interactions by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Most relevant behaviour was observed for hMSCs cultured onto ALA modified scaffolds in view of the cytoskeleton polarization. These modified surfaces were further explored for differentiation of hMSCs in the presence of vitamin D, giving rise to secreting vesicles and increased extension of the cytoskeleton. These results are promising for the development of cell monolayer tissue regenerating platforms.

Derivatization of Plasma Polymerized Thin Films and Attachment of Biomolecules to Influence HUVEC‐Cell Adhesion

“…Within 24 h HUVECS were seen to adhere and after 3 d they were beginning to show areas of confluence on the pp‐AA coated PTFE surfaces. Improved cell adhesion on plasma polymerized amine‐rich films have previously been reported for HUVECS,33 for P19 carcinoma cells and neurons,14 osteoblasts,34, 35 and human mesenchymal stem cells,36, 37 to name but a few. The chemical modification of the pp‐AA with the diepoxide significantly reduced the adhesion characteristics at the biotic–abiotic interface.…”

Enhanced adherence of mouse fibroblast and vascular cells to plasma modified polyethylene

“…Similar to the results revealed in our work, Amornsudthiwat and Damrongsakkul [42] reported positive effect of oxygen plasma modified silk fibroin on adhesion and proliferation of L929 cells, similar to Refs. [43,44].…”

Tissue Engineering Using Novel Rapid Prototyped Diamond‐Like Carbon Coated Scaffolds

“…Together with the structure, the important effects of scaffolds' surface modification have also been emphasized 8–11. Some in vitro studies have focused on the influence of hole size and surface microtexture on cell growth and aggregation,12, 13 but have not used a rapid prototyping (RP) approach which can prove to be useful for introducing systematic variations, especially when considering the scaffold design, and promoting methodic validations.…”