Morphology of fibroblastic cells cultured on poly(HEMA-co-AA) substrates

Fibroblastic cells in culture are characteristically elongated and grow in monolayers. This growth pattern can be modified by different factors, such as substrate interaction. It is characteristic of hydrogels made of poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (polyHEMA) that they inhibit cellular attachment and spreading. Vero cells were cultured on porous samples of polyHEMA and the copolymer poly(HEMA-co-AA) with 7.5% (w/w) and 15% (w/w) acrylic acid. Cultures were maintained for 2 and 10 days in HAM F10 medium with 10% foetal calf serum. Hydrogel samples were processed for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The round Vero cells proliferated on the hydrogels and were principally located inside the pores. Some cells were aggregated, but no extracellular matrix was found. The copolymer with 15% (w/w) acrylic acid was the most suitable substrate and should be used in future tests of morphological differentiation and induction of cellular function.