Differentiation pattern of Vero cells cultured on poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) blends

This study evaluates the effect of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(hydroxybutyrate-cohydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) bioabsorbable polymers and their blends on the induction of alteration of cell growth pattern in vitro. Vero cells were cultured on PLLA, PHBV, and different blends (100/0, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, and 0/100). The cell adhesion assay showed that the best results were obtained with the (60/40, 50/50) blends. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the cells on (100/0) and (60/40) samples grew with a round morphology preferentially in the porous areas. The (50/50) blends had cells in the porous and smooth areas in a similar way. The (40/60) blends showed spreading cells on the smooth areas. The (0/100) sample, which had no pores, had spreading cells interconnected by filaments. Histological sections showed a confluent cell monolayer and the immunocytochemistry showed that the cells produced collagen IV and fibronectin on all substrates. Thus, we conclude that PLLA/PHBV blends were efficient in maintaining cell growth and producing an extracellular matrix on them.