Surface modification to improve in vitro attachment and proliferation of human urinary tract cells

To evaluate the attachment and proliferation of cultured human urinary tract cells to culture plates surface-modified by photochemical immobilization of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.

Human uroepithelial (UEC) and smooth muscle (SMC) cells were harvested from ureter and expanded in culture; 24-well culture plates surface-modified by photochemical covalent immobilization of ECM proteins were then seeded with UEC or SMC. To characterize cellular attachment, cells were incubated on surface-modified plates for 30 and 90 min. For proliferation assays the cells were incubated for 3-12 days. Standard tissue culture plates with no surface modification and sham-modified plates served as controls. Differential attachment and proliferation on the various surfaces were assessed using analysis of variance with Fisher's posthoc test for multiple comparisons.

Attachment at 30 and 90 min of both UEC and SMC on plates surface-modified with ECM proteins was significantly greater than in control plates. Surface-modification with collagen resulted in significantly greater cellular attachment than with either laminin or fibronectin. UEC proliferation was also significantly greater than in control plates by surface-modification with collagen and fibronectin, but not with laminin. SMC proliferation was significantly better after surface modification than on sham- modified plates, but was no better than standard plates.

Covalent photochemical immobilization of ECM proteins to potential growth surfaces enhances the attachment of cultured UEC and SMC and the proliferation of UEC. This technique might be useful in modifying surface properties of synthetic polymer-based materials in a controlled and defined manner, giving them the capacity to promote and sustain the growth of urinary tract cells. This may lead to development of alternative methods of tissue engineering in the urinary tract.