Title: Superficial modification of biopolymeric scaffolds for tridimensional hepatic cell model

Authors: Odin Ramírez-Fernández; Rafael Godínez; Esmeralda Zuñiga-Aguilar; Luis E. Gómez-Quiroz; María C. Gutiérrez-Ruiz; Juan Morales; Roberto Olayo

Addresses: Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Apdo. Postal 55-534, Iztapalapa, México ' Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Apdo. Postal 55-534, Iztapalapa, México ' Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Apdo. Postal 55-534, Iztapalapa, México ' Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Apdo. Postal 55-534, Iztapalapa, México ' Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Apdo. Postal 55-534, Iztapalapa, México ' Departamento de Física, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Apdo. Postal 55-534, Iztapalapa, México ' Departamento de Física, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Apdo. Postal 55-534, Iztapalapa, México

Abstract: Cell line cultures are widely used as experimental models to mimic the characteristics and responses of cell in tissues in vivo. Cells in culture are able to proliferate and acquire the same standard phenotype of those that form tissues inside an organism. Hepatocytes, particularly, are highly specialised cells and their physiology and correct functions are affected by their geometrical conformation. Polymeric scaffolds for cell growth have been modified through plasma polymerisation to improve their biological properties. In particular, plasma-polymerised pyrrole (Ppy) has been identified as a suitable scaffold coating. Ppy-coated scaffolds show increased cellular adhesion and proliferative ratio in comparison with non-coated scaffolds. Different types of Ppy-coated scaffold were analysed as scaffolds used in tissue regeneration, based on their capability of proliferation and their physiological response. HepG2 cells were cultured on culture dishes with the following coated scaffolds: Open-cell Polylactic Acid (OPLA), collagen composite and polyglycolic acid scaffold submerged in poly(L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) copolymer solution (PGA-PLGA) and on non-coated scaffolds to compare physiological parameters such as, cell proliferation and viability. There was no morphological cell changes observed when cultured with Ppy coated scaffolds. Therefore, we are reporting not only a novel process for the modification of biomaterials, that are widely used in tissue engineering but also a cell culture base that increases cell viability.

Keywords: polypyrrole; hepatocytes; cell culture; biomaterials modification; coated scaffolds; biopolymeric scaffolds; hepatic cells; cell modelling; cell growth; plasma polymerisation; scaffold coatings; tissue regeneration; tissue engineering.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2015.068505

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2015 Vol.7 No.2, pp.110 - 123

Received: 24 Feb 2014
Accepted: 08 Jul 2014

Published online: 04 Apr 2015 *

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