[The adhesion of culture cells to some polymers (in vitro)]

Mouse L fibroblasts were grown on such plastic coated coverslips as polyvinyl acetate, cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate, polystyrene and polyvinyl alcohol in in vitro condition, in order to investigate cell contact to various polymeric substrata. Rates of cell multiplication in the presence of the plastics were obtained at the beginning of the experiments, the 2nd day, the 4th day and the 7th day of incubation. Morphological observation in the presence of the plastics were made for 14 hours. Rates of cell multiplication showed no change between most of the experimental groups, i.e., polyvinyl acetate, cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene and control, except polyvinyl alcohol. The cells were deterred from growing with polyvinyl acetate and completely deteriorated on the 4th day of incubation and thereafter. Morphological examination of the adhesion of culture cells to the polymers was made with an arbitrary classification of cell shapes such as round, bipole, spindle or star, depending upon the forms which the cells showed on the substrata under a light microscope, State of adhesion of the cells is considered to be increased in the ascending order of the four classification, polyvinyl acetate was the best in terms of cell adhesion, followed by cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene. The cells did not develop into the advanced state of adhesion in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol. As plastics have become one of the most important biomaterials in recent years, research on biocompatibility of the material, which can be represented by ascertaining of non toxicity, non irritability or non carcinogenecity and adhesion characteristics, is needed. Information on the above would surely be useful in better use of the material and also in developing new materials.