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Cell proliferation on stereoregular isotactic-poly(propylene oxide) as a bulk substrate
Hiroharu Ajiro1, Mitsuru Akashi
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, and The Center for Advanced Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Biomacromolecules
|October 7, 2010
Summary
Stereoregular isotactic-poly(propylene oxide) (it-PPO) exhibits a hydrophobic nature, making it a promising biomaterial surface. This polymer supports cell adhesion and multilayer protein adsorption, indicating its potential for various biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Conventional atactic poly(propylene oxide) (a-PPO) is typically hydrophilic.
- Stereoregular polymers offer unique physical and chemical properties compared to their nonstereoregular counterparts.
- Developing novel biomaterial surfaces with controlled properties is crucial for advanced biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of stereoregular isotactic-poly(propylene oxide) (it-PPO) as a biomaterial surface.
- To characterize the surface properties and behavior of it-PPO regarding protein adsorption and cell culture.
- To explore the influence of polymer chain configuration on surface characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of stereoregular isotactic-poly(propylene oxide) (it-PPO).
- Surface modification techniques including spin coating and dip coating to create different surface topographies.
- Contact angle measurements to determine surface hydrophobicity.
- Protein adsorption studies using bovine serum albumin (BSA), bovine gamma globulin (BγG), and bovine plasma fibrinogen (BPF).
- Cell adhesion and culture assays using mouse fibroblast L929 cells.
Main Results:
- it-PPO demonstrated a significant hydrophobic character (contact angle: 95.6 ± 3.8°), contrasting with conventional a-PPO.
- High crystallinity of it-PPO enabled the creation of smooth (spin coating) and microsized crater-shaped (dip coating) surfaces.
- Multilayered adsorption of BSA, BγG, and BPF was observed on it-PPO surfaces.
- Mouse fibroblast L929 cells adhered well and cultured effectively on it-PPO surfaces, outperforming the control surface (Cell Desk LF1).
Conclusions:
- Stereoregular isotactic-poly(propylene oxide) (it-PPO) possesses unique hydrophobic properties and controllable surface topographies suitable for biomaterial applications.
- The polymer's backbone structure, maintaining the polyether chemical nature, dictates its favorable physical characteristics for cell adhesion and protein interactions.
- it-PPO represents a promising candidate for developing advanced biomedical surfaces that promote cell growth and manage protein adsorption.
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