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Thermo-responsive PNiPAAm-g-PEG films for controlled cell detachment
Dirk Schmaljohann1, Joachim Oswald, Birgitte Jørgensen
1Institute of Polymer Research Dresden & Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany. schmaljohann@ipfdd.de
Biomacromolecules
|November 11, 2003
Summary
Thermo-responsive hydrogels made with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) and PEG enable controlled cell detachment. Fibroblast cells detach from these smart hydrogel surfaces upon a small temperature decrease, facilitating cell harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Thermo-responsive hydrogels offer tunable properties for cell culture applications.
- Immobilized hydrogels on substrates allow for controlled cell adhesion and release.
- Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) and poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEAAm) are known thermo-responsive polymers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize thermo-responsive hydrogel films for cell carrier applications.
- To investigate the temperature-dependent cell adhesion, proliferation, and detachment on these hydrogels.
- To correlate hydrogel swelling behavior with cell release characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Graft copolymers of PNiPAAm/PDEAAm and PEG were synthesized and immobilized on fluoropolymer substrates via plasma treatment.
- Surface-immobilized hydrogels were characterized for their thermo-responsive swelling transition (32-35 °C).
- L929 mouse fibroblast cells were cultured on the hydrogels at 37 °C and their behavior (adhesion, proliferation, detachment) was monitored upon temperature reduction.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel films exhibited a thermo-responsive swelling transition between 32-35 °C.
- Fibroblast cells adhered, spread, and proliferated on the hydrogels at 37 °C.
- Complete cell detachment was observed upon a 3 K temperature reduction, preceding full hydrogel swelling.
Conclusions:
- The developed thermo-responsive hydrogel films effectively support cell growth and enable temperature-triggered cell detachment.
- The rapid cell detachment, even before complete hydrogel swelling, is attributed to the weakening of cell adhesion by the high PEG content.
- These smart hydrogel systems show promise as advanced cell carriers for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.