Difference in adhesion and proliferation of fibroblast between Langmuir-Blodgett films and cast surfaces of poly (gamma-benzyL L-glutamate)/poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer.

Abstract

Block copolymers consisting of poly (gamma-benzyl L-glutamate) and poly (ethylene oxide) as the hydrophobic and hydrophilic components, respectively were prepared. Cell attachment onto the surfaces of block copolymers fabricated either as well-defined ordered Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films or solvent cast microphase-separated structures was studied. On ordered LB surfaces, adherent fibroblasts were larger than on the microphase-separated cast surfaces within 15 min. The difference in cell adhesion between LB films and cast surfaces increased with increasing PEO contents in block copolymer. Adherent cells increased with an increase in surface pressure of LB films in any polymer. Phase-contrast microphotographs of adherent cells showed rapid and extensive morphologic changes associated with the LB surface as compared to cast film surfaces. The number of cells grown on the LB surface is greater than that on the cast film.