Tissue Culture Grade Polystyrene Research Articles

High strength, biodegradable and cytocompatible alpha tricalcium phosphate-iron composites for temporal reduction of bone fractures

In this work alpha tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP)/iron (Fe) composites were developed as a new family of biodegradable, load-bearing and cytocompatible materials. The composites with composition from pure ceramic to pure metallic samples were consolidated by pulsed electric current assisted sintering to minimise processing time and temperature while improving their mechanical performance. The mechanical strength of the composites was increased and controlled with the Fe content, passing from brittle to ductile failure. In particular, the addition of 25 vol% of Fe produced a ceramic matrix composite with elastic modulus much closer to cortical bone than that of titanium or biodegradable magnesium alloys and specific compressive strength above that of stainless steel, chromium-cobalt alloys and pure titanium, currently used in clinic for internal fracture fixation. All the composites studied exhibited higher degradation rate than their individual components, presenting values around 200 μm/year, but also their compressive strength did not show a significant reduction in the period required for bone fracture consolidation. Composites showed preferential degradation of α-TCP areas rather than β-TCP areas, suggesting that α-TCP can produce composites with higher degradation rate. The composites were cytocompatible both in indirect and direct contact with bone cells. Osteoblast-like cells attached and spread on the surface of the composites, presenting proliferation rate similar to cells on tissue culture-grade polystyrene and they showed alkaline phosphatase activity. Therefore, this new family of composites is a potential alternative to produce implants for temporal reduction of bone fractures. Statement of SignificanceBiodegradable alpha-tricalcium phosphate/iron (α-TCP/Fe) composites are promising candidates for the fabrication of temporal osteosynthesis devices. Similar to biodegradable metals, these composites can avoid implant removal after bone fracture healing, particularly in young patients. In this work, α-TCP/Fe composites are studied for the first time in a wide range of compositions, showing not only higher degradation rate in vitro than pure components, but also good cytocompatibility and mechanical properties controllable with the Fe content. Ceramic matrix composites show high specific strength and low elastic modulus, thus better fulfilling the requirements for bone fractures fixation. A significant advance over previous works on the topic is the use of pulsed electric current assisted sintering together with α-TCP, convenient to improve the mechanical performance and degradation rate, respectively.

The use of substrate materials and topography to modify growth patterns and rates of differentiation of muscle cells.

Cells are cultured on platforms made of a variety of materials with selected topographies during studies of cell response and behavior. Understanding the effects of substrates is essential for such applications as developing effective interfaces between body cells and implanted materials and devices. In this study, the effects of substrate surface properties on cell differentiation and alignment on C2C12 myoblasts cultured on conventional or fabricated polymeric cell culture substrates were investigated. Comparisons were made between cells cultured on tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS), glass, Permanox, and cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry of cell markers was used to analyse the extent of differentiation. Alignment and guidance of cell growth and spread were studied using patterned platforms. Gratings were made on polystyrene (PS) and PDMS and differentiation was facilitated after 5 days by media exchange. Differences in cell morphology were observed between cells cultured on TCPS and PDMS substrates. Fully differentiated myotubes were observed in highest numbers on TCPS substrates and were non-detectable on PDMS substrates in the time frame of 144 h. Muscle cell alignment and their differentiation followed along the grating patterns on PS and elongated along the pattern length. On the other hand, on PDMS cells formed sheets of tissue and peeled from the substrate. We have revealed the potential for the combinations of surface materials and topography on cell behavior to induce accelerated differentiation and coordinated alignment. The results demonstrate that culture environment can be designed or engineered to modify or regulate muscle cell functions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1638-1645, 2016.

Biohydrogels Interpenetrated with Hydroxyethyl Cellulose and Wooden Pulp for Biocompatible Materials

Biohydrogel interpenetrated films of wooden pulp cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) were prepared, and their biomedical properties were investigated. Our purpose was to obtain new material combining the nontoxicity and biocompatibility in wooden pulp cellulose films by interpenetration of HEC. It was found that the increment of HEC content affects the mechanical properties of the hydrogel from 10 to 50 wt % content of HEC. In vitro biocompatibility tests showed that protein adsorption, clotting time, and platelet adhesion were affected with the increment of HEC. All of the obtained hydrogels showed better cytocompatibility than the reference on a tissue culture grade polystyrene dish. However, HEC content seemed to decrease fibroblast cell densities due to its effect on the film properties, showing different pulp aggregation. In conclusion, the cell densities on hydrogel were significantly changed depending upon the HEC interpenetration.

Mediatory role of interleukin‐6 in α smooth muscle actin induction and myofibroblast formation around silicone tissue expander

Materials used for medical devices are usually tested for their biocompatibility, before use. However, it is known that long-term implantation in the body may lead to degradation of the material leading to an adverse tissue response. The failure of silicone breast implants due to excessive fibrosis and contracture has led to studies to delineate the cause of fibrosis around this material. To detect the biological moieties involved, conditioned media from RAW 264.7 macrophages seeded over commercially available silicone tissue expander material was added to L929 fibroblasts. Ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene and tissue culture grade polystyrene served as the control materials. The gene expression of fibrogenic cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) in the RAW macrophages and myofibroblast marker alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in L929 cells were quantitated by real time polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression analysis of αSMA was carried out by immunocytochemical staining and confocal microscopy. An in vitro degradation study of silicone expander material in pseudoextracellular fluid (PECF) and the αSMA expression in fibroblasts incubated with the silicone extract containing PECF has revealed the role of silicone leachants in induction of myofibroblasts. This in vitro expression study revealed the additional profibrotic role of IL-6 in fibroblast to myofibroblast transition and the synergy between material aspects and biomolecules in regulating fibrosis around Silicone implants. These findings may help in targeting newer biological moieties in the profibrotic pathway and in devising better manufacturing processes aiding the life of millions of patients.

Photo-Cross-Linkable Thermoresponsive Star Polymers Designed for Control of Cell-Surface Interactions

Star polymers with thermoresponsive arms, consisting of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (MEO₂MA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate with ~4 ethylene oxide units (OEOMA₃₀₀, M(n) = 300), were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). 25% of the arms contained benzophenone chain-end functionality at the star periphery. A mixture of linear poly(MEO₂MA-co-OEOMA₃₀₀)-Br macroinitiators without and with benzophenone end-group macroinitiators were (MI and Bzp-MI, respectively) cross-linked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate to form star polymers. Formation of star polymers was monitored by GPC, and the presence of benzophenone functionality in the stars was confirmed by ¹H NMR. The UV-vis spectroscopy revealed that the star polymers exhibit the low critical solution temperature (LCST) at 27 °C, slightly lower than LCST of either MI or Bzp-MI. Commercially available tissue culture grade polystyrene surface was modified by depositing a thin film of functionalized stars and UV cross-linking (λ = 365 nm). The star polymers covalently attached onto surfaces allowed a control of cell shrinkage and attachment in response to temperature changes.

Influence of biodegradable and non-biodegradable material surfaces on the differentiation of human monocyte-derived macrophages

Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and multinucleated foreign body giant cells (FBGC) are the primary cell types that remain at the cell–material interface of polyurethane (PU)-based medical devices as a result of chronic inflammatory responses. In vitro studies have demonstrated that MDM possess degradative potential toward PU, which can result in device failure. Because most studies have followed the degradation potential, morphology, and function of these cells only once fully differentiated, the current study investigated the influence of a non-degradable control tissue culture-grade polystyrene (TCPS) surface relative to two degradable model polycarbonate-urethanes (PCNU), of different chemistry, on various parameters of MDM morphology and function during a 14-day differentiation time course. The differentiation of human monocytes isolated from whole blood on PCNU materials resulted in increased cell attachment, decreased multinucleation, and significant decreases in cell spreading when compared with cells differentiated on TCPS. Actin-stained podosome-like cell adhesion structures were increased in PCNU-adherent cells, accompanied by an alteration in β-actin and vinculin protein expression. The expression of the CD68 macrophage marker was reduced when cells were adherent to the PCNU materials and compared with TCPS, suggesting altered cell activation by the degradable relative to non-degradable materials. The degradative potential of these cells was altered by the material surface they were exposed to as measured by esterase activity and protein expression of monocyte-specific esterase. This was also supported by physical material breakdown evident in scanning electron microscopy images that illustrated holes in the PCNU films generated by the presence of differentiating MDM. It was concluded from these studies that PCNU materials significantly alter the function and morphology of differentiating MDM. This must be taken into consideration when studying cell–material interactions because these cells will receive cues from their immediate environment (including the biomaterial) upon differentiation, thereby affecting their resulting phenotype.

Is Cell Culture Stressful? Effects of Degradable and Nondegradable Culture Surfaces On U937 Cell Function

In vitro cell culture has become one of the most widely used techniques in biological and health sciences research, with the most common culture supports being either tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS) or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It has previously been shown that monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) respond to material surface chemistry, synthesizing and releasing degradative activities that could produce products, which alter the cell's response. In this study, functional parameters of differentiated U937 macrophage-like cells were compared when cultured on nondegradable standard control surfaces versus models of biomaterials (polycarbonate-based polyurethanes) used in the manufacture of medical devices previously shown to degrade and/or elicit pathways of inflammation. Although the influence of PDMS and TCPS on cell function is often underappreciated by investigators, both surfaces elicited enzyme markers of inflammation. Cells on TCPS had the highest intracellular and released esterase activities and protein levels. Cells on PDMS had the most released acid phosphatase activity and protein (P < 0.001), as well as de novo 57- and 59-kDa released proteins. The criteria for defining an activated cell phenotype become critically important when materials such as PDMS and TCPS are used as standard control surfaces whether in experiments for research in elucidating metabolic pathways or in screening drugs and materials for therapeutic uses.

Phenotype and gene expression pattern of osteoblast‐like cells cultured on polystyrene and hydroxyapatite with pre‐adsorbed type‐I collagen

Hydroxyapatite and type-I collagen are major components of bone matrix. We compared phenotype and gene expression pattern of osteoblast-like cells cultured on HAp and HAp with pre-adsorbed type-I collagen from neutral solutions (HAp/NCs) with those of tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS) and TCPS with the collagen (TCPS/NCs). In initial cell attachment, the cells tensely spread on TCPS, while loosely spread on TCPS/NCs, HAp, and HAp/NCs. The levels of expressed integrin alpha2 and alpha5 subunits were not significantly different among any surfaces. Although the cells on HAp/NCs directly attached with the same collagen molecules as TCPS/NCs, mineralization was observed in only TCPS/NCs. The basal substrates (TCPS and HAp) greatly influenced osteoblast maturation even in the surfaces with pre-adsorbed collagen, since mineralization was induced by TCPS, but not by HAp. Gene expression pattern analyzed with DNA microarray also supported greater influence of basal substrates than pre-adsorbed collagen. In addition, comprehensive gene expression analyses revealed that HAp and HAp/NCs specifically up-regulated Ly6a and Tmem37 genes, while down-regulated Ifitm5 gene.

Glow discharge modified tissue culture polystyrene: role of surface chemistry in cellular attachment and proliferation

A radio frequency glow discharge has been used to selectively deposit non-polar hydrocarbon films onto tissue culture grade polystyrene surfaces. The resulting surfaces have been studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle analysis and atomic force microscopy. Regions with differing surface chemistry and polarity have been produced on the same substrate using a simple masking technique and allowed the spatially controlled attachment of mammalian cells. The attachment of cells to plasma modified tissue culture polystyrene surfaces has been correlated to the concentration of specific oxygen functional groups.

Study of Staphylococcus Aureus Adhesion on a Novel Nanostructured Surface by Chemiluminometry

In recent years the progress in the field of nanotechnologies has offered new possibilities to control the superficial features of implant materials down to a nanoscale level. Several studies have therefore tried to explore the effects of nanostructured biomaterial surfaces on the behavior of eukaryotic cells. However, nanotopography could exert an influence also on the behavior of prokaryotic cells, with relevant implications concerning the susceptibility of implant surfaces to infection. Aim of this study was to examine the behavior of Staphylococcus aureus on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces either cylindrically nanostructured (PET-N) or flat ion-etched (PET-F), and on tissue culture-grade polystyrene (PS). Microbial adherence was assessed by chemiluminometry under 4 different conditions: (a) bacteria suspended in MEM medium, (b) bacteria in MEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), (c) test surfaces preconditioned in FBS, and (d) post-exposure of colonised surfaces to serum-supplemented MEM. Under all circumstances, PET-F and PET-N specimens showed identical bacterial adhesion properties. In the absence of serum, all 3 test materials showed a very high adhesivity to microbial cells and both PET surfaces exhibited greater adhesion than PS. On the contrary, the presence of 10% serum in solution significantly affected cell behavior: the number of microbial cells on all surfaces was drastically reduced, and the adhesion properties of PET surfaces with respect to PS were reversed, with PET being less adhesive. Overall, the specific cylindrical nanostructures created on PET did not significantly influence microbial behavior. Ongoing studies are verifying whether other nanotopographies with different geometry could have more substantial effects.

Osteoblasts Generate Harder, Stiffer, and More Delamination-Resistant Mineralized Tissue on Titanium Than on Polystyrene, Associated With Distinct Tissue Micro- and Ultrastructure

This study revealed that osteoblasts generate harder, stiffer, and more delamination-resistant mineralized tissue on titanium than on the tissue culture polystyrene, associated with modulated gene expression, uniform mineralization, well-crystallized interfacial calcium-phosphate layer, and intensive collagen deposition. Knowledge of this titanium-induced alteration of osteogenic potential leading to enhanced intrinsic biomechanical properties of mineralized tissue provides novel opportunities and implications for understanding and improving bone-titanium integration and engineering physiomechanically tolerant bone. Bone-titanium integration is a biological phenomenon characterized by continuous generation and preservation of peri-implant bone and serves as endosseous anchors against endogenous and exogenous loading, of which mechanisms are poorly understood. This study determines the intrinsic biomechanical properties and interfacial strength of cultured mineralized tissue on titanium and characterizes the tissue structure as possible contributing factors in biomechanical modulation. Rat bone marrow-derived osteoblastic cells were cultured either on a tissue culture-grade polystyrene dish or titanium-coated polystyrene dish having comparable surface topography. Nano-indentation and nano-scratch tests were undertaken on mineralized tissues cultured for 28 days to evaluate its hardness, elastic modulus, and critical load (force required to delaminate tissue). Gene expression was analyzed using RT-PCR. The tissue structural properties were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), collagen colorimetry and localization with Sirius red stain, mineral quantification, and localization with von Kossa stain and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Hardness and elastic modulus of mineralized tissue on titanium were three and two times greater, respectively, than those on the polystyrene. Three times greater force was required to delaminate the tissue on titanium than that on the polystyrene. SEM of the polystyrene culture displayed a porous structure consisting of fibrous and globular components, whereas the titanium tissue culture appeared to be uniformly solid. Cell proliferation was remarkably reduced on titanium. Microscopic observations revealed that the mineralized tissue on titanium was composed of uniform collagen-supported mineralization from the titanium interface to the outer surface, with intensive collagen deposition at tissue-titanium interface. In contrast, tissue on the polystyrene was characterized by collagen-deficient mineralization at the polystyrene interface and calcium-free collagenous matrix formation in the outer tissue area. Such characteristic microstructure of titanium-associated tissue was corresponded with upregulated gene expression of collagen I and III, osteopontin, and osteocalcin mRNA. Cross-sectional TEM revealed the apposition of a high-contrast and well-crystallized calcium phosphate layer at the titanium interface but not at the polystyrene interface. Culturing osteoblasts on titanium, compared with polystyrene, enhances the hardness, elastic modulus, and interfacial strength of mineralized tissue to a higher degree. Titanium per se possesses an ability to alter cellular phenotypes and tissue micro- and ultrastructure that result in enhanced intrinsic biomechanical properties of mineralized tissue.

The human macrophage response during differentiation and biodegradation on polycarbonate-based polyurethanes: Dependence on hard segment chemistry

Human monocytes, isolated from whole blood, were seeded onto tissue culture grade polystyrene (PS) and three polycarbonate-based polyurethanes (PCNUs) (synthesized with either 1,6-hexane diisocyanate (HDI) or 4,4′-methylene bis-phenyl diisocyanate (MDI), poly(1,6-hexyl 1,2-ethyl carbonate) diol (PCN) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) in different stoichiometric ratios (HDI:PCN:BD 4:3:1 or 3:2:1 and MDI:PCN:BD 3:2:1) (referred to as HDI431, HDI321 and MDI321, respectively). Following their differentiation to monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) the cells were trypsinized and reseeded onto each of the PCNUs synthesized with either 14C-HDI or 14C-BD and degradation was measured by radiolabel release (RR). When the differentiation surface was MDI321, there was more RR from 14C-HDI431 than from any other surface ( p < 0.0001 ) whereas the amount of esterase (identified by immunoblotting) as well as the esterase activity was the greatest in MDM differentiated on PS, reseeded on 14C-HDI431 ( p < 0.0001 ). The effect of potential degradation products (methylene dianiline (MDA) and BD) from the PCNUs was carried out to determine possible links between products and substrate-induced activation of MDM. MDA was found to inhibit RR 60% from MDM seeded on 14C-MDI321B ( p < 0.0001 ), ∼20% from 14C-HDI431 ( p = 0.002 ) and no effect from 14C-HDI321B. MDA inhibited esterase activity 30% from MDM only on 14C-MDI321B ( p = 0.003 ), but no effect on esterase activity was observed for the other two polymers. BD had no inhibitory effect on RR from any PCNU, but did inhibit esterase activity in MDM on 14C-HDI431 ( p = 0.025 ). This study indicates that the degradation of a specific material is a multi-factorial process, dictated by its susceptibility to hydrolysis, the effect of specific products generated during this course of action, and perhaps not as well appreciated, the material's inherent ability to influence enzyme synthesis and release.

The effect of biomimetic apatite structure on osteoblast viability, proliferation, and gene expression

The conventional biomimetic apatite coating process can be accelerated by immersing substrates into concentrated simulated body fluid (5× SBF) at 37°C to form an initial coating of apatite precursor spheres, and transform the precursors into plate-like apatite structures. Depending on processing parameters, different apatite structures can be created over the same substrate. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the different apatite microenvironment on cell spreading, viability, proliferation, and gene expression. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts were cultured on five surfaces: conventional apatite (CA), precursor apatite spheres (PreA), large plate-like apatites (LgA), small plate-like apatites (SmA), and tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS). PreA induced significantly higher cell death during the first two weeks. TCPS supported more uniform spreading (1 day) and higher proliferation (2 weeks) than CA, LgA, and SmA. Apatites restricted spreading and promoted the extension of cellular projections along the textured surfaces under confocal microscopy observation. By 3 weeks, LgA induced highest expression of mature osteogenic markers osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) in both regular and osteogenic culture media based on quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The results of this study suggest differential cell responses to subtle changes in apatite microenvironment.

Temperature-responsive cell culture surfaces enable "on-off" affinity control between cell integrins and RGDS ligands.

In this study, specific interactions between immobilized RGDS (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) cell adhesion peptides and cell integrin receptors located on cell membranes are controlled in vitro using stimuli-responsive polymer surface chemistry. Temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-carboxyisopropylacrylamide) (P(IPAAm-co-CIPAAm)) copolymer grafted onto tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS) dishes permits RGDS immobilization. These surfaces facilitate the spreading of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without serum depending on RGDS surface content at 37 degrees C (above the lower critical solution temperature, LCST, of the copolymer). Moreover, cells spread on RGDS-immobilized surfaces at 37 degrees C detach spontaneously by lowering culture temperature below the LCST as hydrated grafted copolymer chains dissociate immobilized RGDS from cell integrins. These cell lifting behaviors upon hydration are similar to results using soluble RGDS in culture as a competitive substitution for immobilized ligands. Binding of cell integrins to immobilized RGDS on cell culture substrates can be reversed spontaneously using mild environmental stimulation, such as temperature, without enzymatic or chemical treatment. These findings are important for control of specific interactions between proteins and cells, and subsequent "on-off" regulation of their function. Furthermore, the method allows serum-free cell culture and trypsin-free cell harvest, essentially removing mammalian-sourced components from the culture process.

Nanofabrication for micropatterned cell arrays by combining electron beam-irradiated polymer grafting and localized laser ablation.

Most methods reported for cell-surface patterning are generally based on photolithography and use of silicon or glass substrates with processing analogous to semiconductor manufacturing. Herein, we report a novel method to prepare patterned plastic surfaces to achieve cell arrays by combining homogeneous polymer grafting by electron beam irradiation and localized laser ablation of the grafted polymer. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) was covalently grafted to surfaces of tissue culture-grade polystyrene dishes. Subsequent ultraviolet ArF excimer laser exposure to limited square areas (sides of 30 or 50 microm) produced patterned ablative photodecomposition of only the surface region (approximately 100-nm depth). Three-dimensional surface profiles showed that these ablated surfaces were as smooth and flat as the original tissue culture-grade polystyrene surfaces. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the ablated domains exposed basal polystyrene and were surrounded with PIPAAm-grafted chemistry. Before cell seeding, fibronectin was adsorbed selectively onto ablated domains at 20 degrees C, a condition in which the non-ablated grafted PIPAAm matrix remains highly hydrated. Hepatocytes seeded specifically adhered onto the ablated domains adsorbed with fibronectin. Because PIPAAm, inhibits cell adhesion and migration even at 37 degrees C when the grafted density is > 3 microg/cm2, all the cells were confined within the ablated domains. A 100-cell domain array was achieved by this method. This surface modification technique can be utilized for fabrication of cell-based biosensors as well as tissue-engineered constructs.

Effects of Serum on the Kinetics of CHO Attachment to Ultraviolet–Ozone Modified Polystyrene Surfaces

Attachment kinetics of Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells were investigated on ultraviolet-ozone oxidized polystyrene (UVO-PS) dishes in the presence and absence of serum. The surface chemistry of UVO-PS has been extensively characterized. Although cells attached rapidly to the oxidized dishes with serum present it was found that serum actually inhibits the rate of attachment. Spreading of attached cells was favored by the presence of serum. It is suggested that the increased quantity of hydrophilic carboxyl groups on longer exposed UVO-PS leads to a change in the protein layer adsorbed from serum and also a higher affinity of the surface for extracellular proteins secreted by the attached cells. The UVO-PS surfaces present a new way of producing tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS) in a highly controllable method, which would ensure greater consistency in TCPS surfaces.

Neutrophil-mediated biodegradation of medical implant materials.

During the acute inflammatory response to implanted medical devices, human neutrophils (PMN) release oxidative and hydrolytic activities which may ultimately contribute to the degradation of the biomaterial. In this study, the biological activities secreted by live PMNs which may contribute to biodegradation were investigated using a 14C label in the monomer unit of a poly(ester-urea-urethane) (PEUU) substrate. By using specific inhibitors, it was possible to propose a mechanism for PMN-mediated biodegradation. PMN, labeled with 3H-arachidonic acid, released significantly more 3H when adherent to PEUU than when adherent to tissue culture grade polystyrene (P<0.05). The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors, aristolochic acid (ARIST) and quinacrine (QUIN), decreased the release of 3H and inhibited PEUU biodegradation (>50%, P<0.05). ARIST had no effect on cell viability, whereas QUIN significantly decreased it. The serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride inhibited biodegradation, but did not decrease cell survival. There is evidence to suggest that activation via the PLA2 pathway caused the release of hydrolytic activities which were able to elicit 14C release from PEUU. The role of oxidative compounds which were released via activation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), was not apparent, since PMA inhibited biodegradation and cell survival (>40%, P<0.05). This study has shown that it is possible to find out the differences in PMN activation through the PLA2 pathway when exposed to different material surfaces, making this a model system worthy of further investigation.

In vitro activation of human monocytes by silicones

The effect of silicone biomaterials on the immune system still remains largely unknown. This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which silicone elastomer, with or without either pre-adsorbed human serum albumin (HSA), IgG, fibrinogen or whole plasma, can activate peripheral blood monocytes. Monocytes were isolated from buffy coats from the local Red Cross Blood Center. Monocytes were cultured for 18 h, culture supernatant collected, and analyzed for IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α by employing commercial ELISA kits. Monocytes, in contact with either polystyrene or silicones without protein adsorption, were minimally activated as evidenced by the low concentration of all the cytokines measured. On the other hand, monocytes became activated when in contact with silicones having adsorbed either of the above proteins. The silicone gel, silicone oil and silicone gel/oil combination appeared to cause the monocytes to secrete nearly twice the amount of all three cytokines as compared with silicone elastomer. This result may be a function of the increased effective surface area produced by the silicone gels and silicone oils. Contact angle measurements confirm that silicones have a very hydrophobic surface, whereas tissue culture grade polystyrene (TPST) is hydrophilic. We know that hydrophobic surfaces tend to be much more denaturing to adsorbed proteins than hydrophilic surfaces. Thus our results indicate that plasma proteins adsorbed to very hydrophobic surfaces cause monocytes to secrete significant amounts of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α.

Differential synthesis of cholesterol esterase by monocyte-derived macrophages cultured on poly(ether or ester)-based poly(urethane)s.

Monocytes adherent to implanted biomaterials differentiate into macrophages while synthesizing large amounts of degradative enzymes, including cholesterol esterase (CE), which previously has been shown to degrade poly(urethane)s. Human peripheral blood monocytes were cultured on tissue culture grade polystyrene (PS), and two model poly(urethane)s were synthesized from (1) polycaprolactone (PCL) and (2) polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO), both with 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and ethylene diamine (ED). The increase in CE and total protein per cell were measured on days 8 and 28 in culture and normalized to the DNA content per cell. At day 8 there consistently were fewer cells remaining on the PTMO-based polymer than on the PCL-based polymer or the PS (p < 0.05). When comparing day 28 to day 8, there was more CE activity and protein per cell on all materials. However, there was a disproportionate synthesis of CE per mg of total protein on PS and TDI/PCL/ED whereas on PTMO there was not. Significantly, there was more protein and CE per cell on PTMO than on PS or TDI/PCL/ED (p < 0.05). This in vitro model system of the chronic phase of inflammation has shown that it is possible to culture monocytes for a month and assess the material surface itself as a potent activator of the differentiation into macrophages without secondary stimulation. Since CE has been shown to degrade poly(ether and ester)-based poly(urethane)s, the differential production of this enzyme relative to the total protein on different surfaces may impact on the potential long-term biostability of an implanted material.

Coupled influence of substratum hydrophilicity and surfactant on epithelial cell adhesion.

The influence of substratum surface hydrophilicity and of a surfactant on human epithelial cell adhesion and protein adsorption was investigated. Therefore, tissue culture grade polystyrene (TCPS) and bacteriological grade polystyrene (BGPS) substrata were treated with different media, with or without Pluronic F68 [a poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) triblock copolymer surfactant], and with or without type I collagen as a typical extracellular matrix protein. The conditioned substrata were submitted to XPS analysis and assayed for cell adhesion by inoculating Hep G2 cells in a chemically defined nutritive medium. The presence of collagen at the substratum surface is required to obtain attachment and spreading of Hep G2 cells. With PS substrata, treating with a solution of collagen does not promote cell adhesion if the solution contains Pluronic; XPS data show that this is due either to prevention of collagen adsorption or to its desorption by rinsing. With less hydrophobic TCPS substrata, the presence of Pluronic in the conditioning solution does not preclude cell adhesion, nor collagen adsorption. The effect of BGPS and TCPS substrata on Hep G2 cell adhesion is thus mediated by the presence of a surfactant that affects the adsorption of collagen.