Plasma polymer surface modified expanded polytetrafluoroethylene promotes epithelial monolayer formation in vitro and can be transplanted into the dystrophic rat subretinal space

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the surface modification of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) using an n‐heptylamine (HA) plasma polymer would allow for functional epithelial monolayer formation suitable for subretinal transplant into a non‐dystrophic rat model. Freshly isolated iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells from two rat strains (Long Evans [LE] and Dark Agouti [DA]) were seeded onto HA, fibronectin‐coated n‐heptylamine modified (F‐HA) and unmodified ePFTE and fibronectin‐coated tissue culture (F‐TCPS) substrates. Both F‐HA ePTFE and F‐TCPS substrates enabled functional monolayer formation with both strains of rat. Without fibronectin coating, only LE IPE formed a monolayer on HA‐treated ePTFE. Functional assessment of both IPE strains on F‐HA ePTFE demonstrated uptake of POS that increased significantly with time that was greater than control F‐TCPS. Surgical optimization using Healon GV and mixtures of Healon GV: phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to induce retinal detachment demonstrated that only Healon GV:PBS allowed F‐HA ePTFE substrates to be successfully transplanted into the subretinal space of Royal College of Surgeons rats, where they remained flat beneath the neural retina for up to 4 weeks. No apparent substrate‐induced inflammatory response was observed by fundus microscopy or immunohistochemical analysis, indicating the potential of this substrate for future clinical applications.

Drug release control and anti-inflammatory effect of biodegradable polymer surface modified by gas phase chemical functional reaction

“…In this study, plasma technology, which is widely used in various fields owing to its advantages, such as ease of access and reliability of effect, was applied to PLA, the most representative implantable polymer, to verify drug delivery control and anti-inflammatory effects (figure 1). Plasma technology has been widely used to impart chemical functional groups [41,42] to the surfaces of materials or for surface modification [43,44]. In this study, a plasma protocol that has been reported several times by our research group [45,46] was applied, and its consistency with previously reported studies was investigated.…”

Biofabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Niches in the Anterior Ocular Segment

“…As this material is hydrophobic, its surface must be functionalised in order to support cell attachment. Nian et al reported the fabrication of ePTFE coated with fibronectin and n-heptylamine (F-HA ePTFE) and the successful transplantation of IPE cells into the subretinal space of rats by using this substrate [176].…”