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Hepatocyte immobilization on PHEMA microcarriers and its biologically modified forms
1Liver Biosupport and Hepatitis Research Laboratory, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-7019.
Cell Transplantation
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Optimized poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) microcarriers enhance hepatocyte attachment and function. Biologically modified PHEMA surfaces, particularly with fibronectin, show the highest cell immobilization and metabolic activity for cell culture applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (PHEMA) is a versatile biomaterial for cell culture.
- Microcarrier design significantly impacts cell attachment and function.
- Surface modification is crucial for improving biocompatibility and cell-material interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of bulk structure and surface modification on PHEMA microcarriers for hepatocyte culture.
- To evaluate the influence of chemical and biological modifications on cell attachment, spreading, and metabolic activity.
- To identify optimal microcarrier characteristics for enhanced hepatocyte function.
Main Methods:
- PHEMA microcarriers with varying cross-linking densities were synthesized via phase inversion polymerization.
- Microcarrier surfaces were modified using glow-discharge treatment (dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate plasma) and covalent attachment of fibronectin and collagen.
- Hepatocytes were isolated from Wistar rats and cultured on microcarriers under stationary conditions.
- Cell attachment, viability, spreading, urea synthesis, and protein synthesis were assessed.
Main Results:
- Nonswellable PHEMA microcarriers failed to support hepatocyte attachment and viability.
- Swellable PHEMA microcarriers, especially after FBS pretreatment, promoted high cell attachment and spreading.
- Glow-discharge treatment with DMAEMA plasma improved cell attachment.
- Biologically modified microcarriers, particularly with fibronectin, exhibited the highest attachment efficiencies and metabolic activity.
Conclusions:
- Swellable PHEMA microcarriers are superior to nonswellable ones for hepatocyte culture.
- Surface modification, especially biological functionalization with fibronectin, significantly enhances hepatocyte immobilization and metabolic function.
- These findings indicate potential for advanced biomaterial-based cell culture systems.