Low-Temperature Barrier Discharge Plasma Modification of Scaffolds Based on Polylactic Acid

Abstract

We have explored the effect of low-temperature barrier discharge plasma treatment in oxygen, nitrogen, and argon on modification of the physicochemical properties of polylactic acid (PLA)-based scaffolds. The cellular-mediated immune response to the interaction of macrophages of three donors with the modified surface of PLA-based scaffolds was also investigated. Carbonization of the PLA surface accompanied by a carbon atomic concentration increase is shown to occur following plasma treatment. Argon plasma significantly affects the wettability characteristics of PLA; the hydrophilicity and lipophilicity are improved, and the surface energy is increased. The viability of cells in the presence of plasma-modified PLA scaffolds is lower than that for unmodified PLA but remains greater than that for the negative control. We find that PLA scaffolds do not cause increased expression of the proinflammatory (TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β) cytokines after 6 days of cell cultivation. At the same time, PLA scaffolds do not affect the increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10).

Plasma Surface Treatment and Application of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polylactic Acid Electrospun Fibrous Hemostatic Membrane

“…The effect of plasma treatment on the chemical state of atoms on the surface of the fibrous membrane was revealed using XPS. As shown in Figure 1 b–f and Supporting Information Tables S1 and S2 , three peaks (C–C, C–O, and O–C=O) can be observed at binding energies of 284.8 eV, 286 eV, and 288.5 eV split-fit, respectively [ 27 , 28 ]. It can be seen that the relative content of oxygen on the surface of PLA fibers increased from 34% to 47% and the plasma treatment caused the C–C bonds on the surface of PLA fibers to break continuously from a relative content of 47% to 35%, and the oxygen-containing functional groups (O–C=O, C–O) increased continuously.…”

“…From the XPS results, we can see that the increase of oxygen–containing functional groups on the surface of PLA after plasma treatment, which makes the polarity of the fiber surface increase, and the water contact angle on the surface of the fiber with higher polarity is lower. In addition, from the SEM image, we can see that the pore space of the fiber surface has increased, and the liquid droplet infiltrates faster on the surface with higher pore space and rougher surface, which is also one of the reasons for the change in the contact angle of the PLA fibers [ 28 ].…”

Development of a plasma-based 3D printing system for enhancing the biocompatibility of 3D scaffold

“…Therefore, in vivo response to the implant resulted in the formation of granulation tissues (fibrosis) around the scaffolds and the surface modification of the scaffolds influenced the formation of such granulation tissues. A few research has proven that plasmatreated PLA downregulates pro-inflammation when compared with non-treated PLA [15,46]. In addition, increased surface wettability is a greater antiinflammatory cell response than the hydrophobic surface [47][48][49].…”

Effect of Nitrogen Arc Discharge Plasma Treatment on Physicochemical Properties and Biocompatibility of PLA-Based Scaffolds

“…This requirement complicates the operation of devices based on this type of discharge since it increases environmental and safety requirements for production and slows down the process of plasma treatment. In turn, when the barrier discharge plasma is generated, streamers are formed that can penetrate a target made of a polymer material, leaving holes [ 20 ]. The use of arc discharge can reduce the processing time and provide a more gentle mode of polymer surface treatment, while the introduction of a precursor for the formation of a nitrogen-containing bond is not required.…”