Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Nanofiber density determines endothelial cell behavior on hydrogel matrix

Abstract

When cultured under static conditions, bacterial cellulose pellicles, by the nature of the polymer synthesis that involves molecular oxygen, are characterized by two distinct surface sides. The upper surface is denser in fibers (entangled) than the lower surface that shows greater surface porosity. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to exploit how the microarchitecture (i.e., surface porosity, fiber network structure, surface topology, and fiber density) of bacterial cellulose pellicle surfaces influence cell–biomaterial interaction and therefore cell behavior. Adhesion, cell ingrowth, proliferation, viability and cell death mechanisms were evaluated on the two pellicle surface sides. Cell behavior, including secondary necrosis, is influenced only by the microarchitecture of the surface, since the biomaterial is extremely pure (constituted of cellulose and water only). Cell–cellulose fiber interaction is the determinant signal in the cell–biomaterial responses, isolated from other frequently present interferences such as protein and other chemical traces usually present in cell culture matrices. Our results suggest that microarchitecture of hydrogel materials might determine the performance of biomedical products, such as bacterial cellulose tissue engineering constructs (BCTECs).

Journal
Materials Science and Engineering C
Volume
33
Pagination
4684–4691
Keywords
Bacterial cellulose tissue engineering construct (BCTEC), HUVEC and Secondary necrosis, Scaffold microarchitecture
Rights
Restricted Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
Year of Publication
2013
Date Published
2013-07-26
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