Polyvinylidene Fluoride Alters Inflammatory Responses by Activation-induced Cell Death in Macrophages

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanomaterials that have been employed in generating diverse materials. We previously reported that CNTs induce cell death in macrophages, possibly via asbestosis. Therefore, we generated CNT-attached polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is an established polymer in membrane technology, and then examined whether CNT-attached PVDF is immunologically safe for medical purposes compared to CNT alone. To test this, we treated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages (RAW cells) with CNT-attached PVDF and analyzed the production of nitric oxide (NO), a potent proinflammatory mediator, in these cells. RAW cells treated with CNT-attached PVDF showed reduced NO production in response to lipopolysaccharide. However, the same treatment also decreased the cell number suggesting that this treatment can alter the homeostasis of RAW cells. Although cell cycle of RAW cells was increased by PVDF treatment with or without CNTs, apoptosis was enhanced in these cells. Taken together, these results indicate that PVDF with or without CNTs modulates inflammatory responses possibly due to activation-induced cell death in macrophages.

Monitoring the macrophage response towards biomaterial implants using label-free imaging

“…While PVDF has been widely used in the clinic as surgical meshes [ 62 ], TPUs have been applied to cardio- or vascular implants or catheters [ 63 ]. It has been reported that the inflammatory and fibrotic effects of PVDF are less severe compared to other materials [ 64 ]. This attenuated immune response might be due to the high similarity of the carbon backbone in the molecular structure of PVDF to human tissues [ 62 , 65 ].…”

In Vitro Effect of Replicated Porous Polymeric Nano-MicroStructured Biointerfaces Characteristics on Macrophages Behavior

“…Therefore, understanding how the characteristics of biomaterial surfaces can influence or trigger macrophages behavior is crucial. Regarding micro or nanostructured PVDF, a limited number of studies are related to the effects on cells—especially macrophages—involved in the host response to the foreign body [ 16 , 17 ]. Within this context and given the potential of PVDF to be used as stable and multifunctional material in various clinical applications, physical-chemical characteristics of porous replicated PVDF biointerfaces along with biological in vitro capacity to induce the immunomodulation of macrophages were analyzed in our study.…”