Abstract
We have investigated the influence of various plasma treatments of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds on the adhesion and proliferation of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC). The PCL scaffolds were treated in plasmas created in O2, NH3or SO2gas at identical conditions. Surface functionalization of plasma-treated samples was determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cell adhesion and morphology were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and the influence of plasma treatment on cell adhesion and viability was evaluated with cell viability assay (MTT assay). The results showed the highest metabolic activity of HUVEC on PCL samples treated with O2and NH3plasma. Accordingly, the cells reflected the best adhesion and morphology on O2and NH3plasma-treated PCL samples already at 3 h. Moreover, treatment with O2and NH3plasma even stimulated endothelial cell proliferation on PCL surfaces by 60% as measured at 24 h, showing significant improvement in endothelialization of this material. Contrarily, SO2plasma appeared to be less promising in comparison with O2and NH3plasma; however, it was still better than without any plasma treatment. Thus, our results importantly contribute to the biocompatibility improvement of the PCL polymer, commonly used for scaffolds in tissue engineering.
Highlights
Polymeric materials are nowadays frequently used in various medical applications including artificial implants, tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressings, and drug delivery systems [1,2,3,4]
PLC polymer was treated with NH3, O2, and SO2 plasma in order to change surface properties of the sample
Plasma treatment led to changes in surface chemical composition and morphology as well as related hydrophobicity of the polymer, reflecting different adhesion characteristics of cells to the polymer surface
Summary
Polymeric materials are nowadays frequently used in various medical applications including artificial implants, tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressings, and drug delivery systems [1,2,3,4]. Many of such applications usually require modification of surface properties of the polymer to improve its biocompatibility, cell adhesion and proliferation, and attachment of bioactive functional groups [5,6,7,8]. Many of the potential uses of nanofibrous membranes are related to high porosity, large surface area, and small pore distribution. Electrospinning can produce continuous nanofibers from submicron diameter scale down to nanometer diameter scale through an electrically charged jet of polymer solution [9, 10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
