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PubMed2005

Designer zinc-finger proteins and their applications.

The Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger is one of the most common DNA-binding motifs in Eukaryota. A simple mode of DNA recognition by the Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger domain provides an ideal scaffold for designing proteins with novel sequence specificities. The ability to bind specifically to virtually any DNA sequence combined with the potential of fusing them with effector domains has led to the technology of engineering of chimeric DNA-modifying enzymes and transcription factors. This in turn has opened the possibility of using the engineered zinc finger-based factors as novel human therapeutics. One such synthetic factor-designer zinc finger transcription activator of the vascular endothelial growth factor A gene-has recently entered clinical trials to evaluate the ability of stimulating the growth of blood vessels in treating the peripheral arterial obstructive disease. This review concentrates on the aspects of natural Cys(2)His(2) zinc fingers evolution and fundamental steps in design of engineered zinc finger proteins. The applications of engineered zinc finger proteins are discussed in a context of the mechanism mediating their effect on the targeted DNA. Furthermore, the regulation of the expression of zinc finger proteins and their targeting to various cellular compartments and to chromatin and non-chromatin target templates are described. Also possible future applications of designer zinc finger proteins are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Flow perfusion improves seeding of tissue engineering scaffolds with different architectures.

Engineered bone grafts have been generated in static and dynamic systems by seeding and culturing osteoblastic cells on 3-D scaffolds. Seeding determines initial cellularity and cell spatial distribution throughout the scaffold, and affects cell-matrix interactions. Static seeding often yields low seeding efficiencies and poor cell distributions; thus creating a need for techniques that can improve these parameters. We have evaluated the effect of oscillating flow perfusion on seeding efficiency and spatial distribution of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells in fibrous polystyrene matrices (20, 35 and 50-microm fibers) and foams prepared by salt leaching, using as controls statically seeded scaffolds. An additional control was investigated where static seeding was followed by unidirectional perfusion. Oscillating perfusion resulted in the most efficient technique by yielding higher seeding efficiencies, more homogeneous distribution and stronger cell-matrix interactions. Cell surface density increased with inoculation cell number and then reached a maximum, but significant detachment occurred at greater flow rates. Oxygen plasma treatment of the fibers greatly improved seeding efficiency. Having similar porosity and dimensions, fibrous matrices yielded higher cell surface densities than foams. Fluorescence microscopy and histological analyses in polystyrene and PLLA scaffolds demonstrated that perfusion seeding produced more homogeneous cell distribution, with fibrous matrices presenting greater uniformity than the foams.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2006

Nanoscale anionic macromolecules can inhibit cellular uptake of differentially oxidized LDL.

Nanoscale particles could be synthetically designed to potentially intervene in lipoprotein matrix retention and lipoprotein uptake in cells, processes central to atherosclerosis. We recently reported on lipoprotein interactions of nanoscale micelles self-assembled from amphiphilic scorpion-like macromolecules based on a lauryl chloride-mucic acid hydrophobic backbone and poly(ethylene glycol) shell. These micelles can be engineered to present varying levels of anionic chemistry, a key mechanism to induce differential retentivity of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (Chnari, E.; Lari, H. B.; Tian, L.; Uhrich, K. E.; Moghe, P. V. Biomaterials 2005, 26, 3749). In this study, we examined the cellular interactions and the ability of carboxylate-terminated nanoparticles to modulate cellular uptake of differentially oxidized LDL. The nanoparticles were found to be highly biocompatible with cultured IC21 macrophages at all concentrations examined. When the nanoparticles as well as LDL were incubated with the cells over 24 h, a marked reduction in cellular uptake of LDL was observed in a nanoparticle concentration-dependent manner. Intermediate concentrations of nanoparticles (10(-6) M) elicited the most charge-specific reduction in uptake, as indicated by the difference in uptake due to anionic and uncharged nanoparticles. At these concentrations, anionic nanoparticles reduced LDL uptake for all degrees of oxidation (no oxidation, mild, high) of LDL, albeit with qualitative differences in the effects. The anionic nanoparticles were particularly effective at reducing the very high levels of uptake of the most oxidized level of LDL. Since complexation of LDL with anionic nanoparticles is reduced at higher degrees of LDL oxidation, our results suggest that anionic nanoparticles interfere in highly oxidized (hox) LDL uptake, likely by targeting cellular/receptor uptake mechanism, but control unoxidized LDL uptake by mechanisms related to direct LDL-nanoparticle complexation. Thus, anionically functionalized nanoparticles can modulate the otherwise unregulated internalization of differentially oxidized LDL.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Overexpression of insulin degrading enzyme: cellular localization and effects on insulin signaling.

To investigate the role of insulin degrading enzyme (insulysin, EC 3.4.24.56) in insulin signaling, Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the human insulin receptor were genetically engineered to also stably overexpress the rat insulin degrading enzyme. In comparison to the parental cells, these cells expressed 2.7-fold elevated levels of enzyme and insulin degradation was also increased 2-fold. These cells also exhibited a more rapid decrease in receptor tyrosine phosphorylation after removal of insulin. Moreover, low concentrations of insulin were less effective at stimulating proliferation of the cells overexpressing the enzyme. Finally, a fraction of the overexpressed enzyme as well a fraction of the endogenous enzyme could be detected on the plasma membrane surface of these cells. These results support the hypothesis that this enzyme may function in insulin signaling by degrading the insulin molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The cellular basis of kidney development.

Mammalian kidney development has helped elucidate the general concepts of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions, inductive signaling, epithelial cell polarization, and branching morphogenesis. Through the use of genetically engineered mouse models, the manipulation of Xenopus and chick embryos, and the identification of human renal disease genes, the molecular bases for many of the early events in the developing kidney are becoming increasingly clear. Early patterning of the kidney region depends on interactions between Pax/Eya/Six genes, with essential roles for lim1 and Odd1. Ureteric bud outgrowth and branching morphogenesis are controlled by the Ret/Gdnf pathway, which is subject to positive and negative regulation by a variety of factors. A clear role for Wnt proteins in induction of the kidney mesenchyme is now well established and complements the classic literature nicely. Patterning along the proximal distal axis as the nephron develops is now being investigated and must involve aspects of Notch signaling. The development of a glomerulus requires interactions between epithelial cells and infiltrating endothelial cells to generate a unique basement membrane. The integrity of the glomerular filter depends in large part on the proteins of the nephrin complex, localized to the slit diaphragm. Despite the kidney's architectural complexity, with the advent of genomics and expression arrays, it is becoming one of the best-characterized organ systems in developmental biology.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The extracellular portion of the insulin receptor beta-subunit regulates the cellular trafficking of the insulin-insulin receptor complex. Studies on Chinese hamster ovary cells carrying the Cys 860-->Ser insulin receptor mutation.

OBJECTIVE: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with human engineered insulin receptor (IR) cDNA to mutate Cys 860 to Ser (CHO-IR(C860S)) showed a defective insulin internalization without affecting insulin binding and IR autophosphorylation. Moreover, this mutation reduces insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and insulin-induced metabolic and mitogenic effects. Altogether, these observations support a role of the extracellular domain of IR beta-subunit in insulin and receptor intracellular targeting as well as in insulin signaling. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study assesses in more details the effect of IR(C860S) mutation on the trafficking of the insulin-IR complex. In particular, IR internalization, phosphorylation, dissociation and recycling, as well as insulin degradation and retroendocytosis have been investigated in CHO cells overexpressing either wild type (CHO-IR(WT)) or mutated IRs. RESULTS: the C860S mutation significantly decreases IR internalization both insulin stimulated and constitutive. In spite of a similar dissociation of internalized insulin-IR complex, recycling of internalized IR was significantly faster (half life (t(1/2)): 21 min vs 40 min, P<0.001) and more extensive (P<0.01) for IR(C860S) than for IR(WT). On the other hand, insulin degradation and retroendocytosis were superimposable in both cell lines. As expected, insulin-induced phosphorylation was similar in both IRs, however dephosphorylation was much more rapid and was greater (P<0.01) in CHO-IR(WT) as compared with CHO-IR(C860S) cells. CONCLUSIONS: Transmembrane and intracellular domain of IR seem to be determinants for IR internalization. Now we report that Cys 860 in the IR beta-subunit ectodomain may be of relevance in ensuring a proper internalization and intracellular trafficking of the insulin-IR complex.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Application of perfusion culture system improves in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis of bone marrow-derived osteoblastic cells in porous ceramic materials.

Composites of bone marrow-derived osteoblasts (BMOs) and porous ceramics have been widely used as a bone graft model for bone tissue engineering. Perfusion culture has potential utility for many cell types in three-dimensional (3D) culture. Our hypothesis was that perfusion of medium would increase the cell viability and biosynthetic activity of BMOs in porous ceramic materials, which would be revealed by increased levels of alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OCN) and enhanced bone formation in vivo. For testing in vitro, BMO/beta-tricalcium phosphate composites were cultured in a perfusion container (Minucells and Minutissue, Bad Abbach, Germany) with fresh medium delivered at a rate of 2 mL/h by a peristaltic pump. The ALP activity and OCN content of composites were measured at the end of 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of subculture. For testing in vivo, after subculturing for 2 weeks, the composites were subcutaneously implanted into syngeneic rats. These implants were harvested 4 or 8 weeks later. The samples then underwent a biochemical analysis of ALP activity and OCN content and were observed by light microscopy. The levels of ALP activity and OCN in the composites were significantly higher in the perfusion group than in the control group (p < 0.01), both in vitro and in vivo. Histomorphometric analysis of the hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections revealed a higher average ratio of bone to pore in BMO/beta-TCP composites of the perfusion group after implantation: 47.64 +/- 6.16 for the perfusion group and 26.22 +/- 4.84 for control at 4 weeks (n = 6, p < 0.01); 67.97 +/- 3.58 for the perfusion group and 47.39 +/- 4.10 for control at 8 weeks (n = 6, p < 0.05). These results show that the application of a perfusion culture system during the subculture of BMOs in a porous ceramic scaffold is beneficial to their osteogenesis. After differentiation culture in vitro with the perfusion culture system, the activity of the osteoblastic cells and the consequent bone formation in vivo were significantly enhanced. These results suggest that the perfusion culture system is a valuable and convenient tool for applications in tissue engineering, especially in the generation of artificial bone tissue.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Mitochondrially targeted vitamin E and vitamin E mitigate ethanol-mediated effects on cerebellar granule cell antioxidant defense systems.

Ethanol (EtOH) disrupts the structure and function of the developing nervous system, sometimes leading to birth defects associated with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Animal FAS models indicate that cellular membrane peroxidation, intracellular oxidant accumulation, and suppression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes contribute to the toxic effects of EtOH. Mitochondrially targeted vitamin E (MitoVit E), a chemically engineered form of vitamin E (VE) designed to accumulate in the mitochondria, has been shown to inhibit intracellular oxidant accumulation and cell death more effectively than VE. In previous investigations, we have shown that, in vivo, VE reduces neuronal death in the developing cerebellum of EtOH-exposed animals, and, in vitro, VE prevents apoptotic and necrotic death of EtOH-exposed cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). The present investigation shows that, in a FAS CGC model, 1 nM MitoVit E renders significant neuroprotection against EtOH concentrations as high as 1600 mg/dL. The present study also demonstrates that, in this same model, MitoVit E mitigates EtOH-induced accumulation of intracellular oxidants and counteracts suppression of glutathione peroxidase/glutathione reductase (GSH-Px/GSSG-R) functions, protein expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS), and total cellular glutathione (GSH) levels. In the presence and absence of EtOH, VE amplifies the protein expression levels of gamma-GCS, an enzyme that performs the rate-limiting step for GSH synthesis, and total GSH levels. These results suggest that MitoVit E and VE ameliorate EtOH toxicity through non-oxidant mechanisms-modulations of endogenous cellular proteins-and antioxidant means.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

MyD genes in negative growth control.

Two interrelated cellular processes are invoked simultaneously upon induction of differentiation, the regulated progression of cells through successive stages of cell differentiation and growth inhibition which ultimately leads to growth arrest. In tissues with rapid cell turnover terminally differentiated cells undergo programmed cell death. Terminal differentiation, thus, represents one form of negative growth control. It was surmised that the molecular engine which drives the differentiation process forward requires induction of positive regulators of terminal cell differentiation, to be found among differentiation primary response genes, as well as suppression of negative regulators, which correspond to genes which control cellular growth. This line of thought has prompted the isolation of myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD) genes activated in the absence of de novo protein synthesis, upon IL-6 induced terminal differentiation of murine M1 myeloblastic leukemia cells, where the cells growth arrest and ultimately undergo programmed cell death. As delineated in this review many of the genes identified as MyD genes, including both known genes [IRF-1, (AP-1)Fos/Jun.EGR-1] and novel ones (MyD88, MyD116, MyD118), turned out to play a role in negative growth control, including growth suppression and apoptosis, in many cell types, of both hematopoietic and non hematopoietic origins.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2004

[Recent researches on the responses of fibroblasts exposed to cyclic mechanical stretching in vitro].

Recently, in vitro dynamical cell-culture has been drawing more and more attention from researchers in the areas of tissue engineer, and a series of researches have demonstrated that cyclic mechanical stretching has significant effects on the cell proliferation, differentiation, and on the cell alignment on scaffold, as well as on the synthesis of extracellular matrix, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). By focusing on reviewing the culture of several kinds of fibroblasts in vitro, we learned that these cellular responses mentioned above induced by cyclic mechanical stretching were tested by many precisely designed experiments, and assumed that cyclic mechanical stretching, if applied properly, would contribute significantly to our purpose of constructing more sophisticated tissue-engineered tendon and ligament.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed2005

Genetically engineered dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene promoters with better PHOX2-binding sites drive significantly enhanced transgene expression in a noradrenergic cell-specific manner.

A continuously growing body of evidence suggests that dysregulation of noradrenergic (NA) neurons is implicated in the etiology and pathophysiology of various human diseases such as depression, drug addiction, and autonomic dysfunction. An efficient NA neuron-specific promoter is potentially valuable to investigate the precise role of NA neurons in normal as well as in diseased brain and to treat the associated disorders by gene therapy. In this study, we tested a novel strategy to modify genetically the promoter of the human dopamine beta-hydroxylase (hDBH) gene to overcome its inherent weakness while maintaining its cell-type specificity. We optimized the nucleotide sequence motifs of PHOX2-binding sites (PRS2 and PRS3) residing within the hDBH promoter. Optimization of both PRS2 and PRS3 motifs significantly increased their binding affinities to PHOX2A, leading to a dramatic increase in the promoter strength (>20-fold). More importantly, these modifications do not alter the level of transgene expression in non-NA cells either in vitro or in vivo, demonstrating tight cell-type specificity. This work shows that a cellular gene promoter can be genetically modified to strengthen its promoter activity without losing cell-type specificity by optimizing critical cis-regulatory elements. Our genetically engineered promoter may be useful for cell-type-specific gene targeting as well as for generating in vivo animal models with altered gene expression in a specific cell type.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Genetic engineering of herpes simplex virus and vector genomes carrying loxP sites in cells expressing Cre recombinase.

The prokaryotic Cre-loxP recombination system is a powerful tool that enables in vitro and in vivo site-specific manipulations of the genome of eukaryotic cells as well as of DNA viruses and their derived vectors. This system, however, has not yet been exploited in the context of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infected cells, perhaps because this virus encodes several functions that induce a strong shutoff of cellular protein synthesis, a fact that could preclude expression of cellular-encoded Cre recombinase. In the present study, we show that efficient site-specific recombination can take place in cell lines expressing Cre, even in the context of HSV-1 infection, as evidenced by the engineering of an HSV-1 recombinant virus and several viral vectors carrying one or two loxP sequences. More precisely, we have used this system to induce an irreversible switch in the expression of a viral complex transcription unit encoding two different open reading frames and allowing consecutive expression of two reporter genes. Furthermore Cre recombinations were also used to induce the decatenation of the genomic concatemers harbored by amplicon particles upon infection of cells under nonreplicative conditions, thus enabling the rescue of many independent plasmids corresponding to the original amplicon plasmid used to generate the vectors. Thus the Cre-loxP recombination system can successfully be used for engineering the genome of HSV-1 or HSV-1-based vectors in cultured cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Molecular and cellular parameters controlling the immunogenicity of foreign B- or T-cell epitopes expressed by recombinant vectors.

Extensive work is being performed to develop live recombinant bacterial vaccines. The use of non-pathogenic bacteria or attenuated strains derived from pathogens may allow protection against the pathogen and at the same time induce immunity against one or several foreign antigens expressed by the recombinant micro-organism. Several bacteria such as attenuated Salmonella or BCG have been used successfully in several experimental models to induce protective immune responses against several pathogens. However, the presentation to the immune system of a foreign antigen in a context different from the natural one may greatly modify the characteristics of elicited immune responses. It is therefore of the utmost importance to establish rules concerning the influence of the vector on the immunogenicity of recombinant antigens. Using a bacterial system that allows the expression of genetically engineered hybrid proteins, we have analysed: 1) the role of the molecular environment on the immunogenicity of foreign B- or T-cell epitopes; 2) the influence of the cellular location of a foreign B-cell epitope on the induction of specific immune responses; 3) the role of the bacterial vector (E. coli or Salmonella typhimurium) on the isotypic characteristic of antibody responses induced against the recombinant antigen. These studies revealed the complexity of the mechanisms which control the immunogenicity of foreign B- or T-cell epitopes expressed by recombinant vectors.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed2003

Fabrication of mitral valve chordae by directed collagen gel shrinkage.

The principles of tissue engineering are being used to explore numerous applications in reconstructive surgery. Mitral valve chordae are one such potential area, as mitral valve repair is increasing in popularity and synthetic materials have not been used widely. The use of cells, combined with reconstituted type I collagen, is an attractive option for fabricating materials for the replacement of thin tendonous structures such as mitral valve chordae. We have been using the principle of directed collagen gel shrinkage to fabricate tendinous structures with good mechanical properties. In this study, our objective was to maximize the strength of the collagen constructs by choosing cell type and optimizing cell-seeding density, culture time, and initial collagen concentration. A collagen-cell suspension was cast into silicone rubber wells with microporous anchors at the ends and cultured in an incubator. The anchors allowed shrinkage to occur only transverse to the long axis of the wells, thus creating highly aligned collagenous constructs. Collagen gel contraction increased with higher cell-seeding density. The optimal value was 10(6) cells/mL. The rate of gel contraction decreased with the initial collagen concentration. Fibril density increased with culture time, as the gel contracted. After the system was optimized, the mechanical strength of the constructs increased to 1.1 MPa, a value at least an order of magnitude greater than previously published results with similar systems. This study has demonstrated that collagen-cell constructs, with material properties similar to those of native mitral valve chordae, can be developed using the principle of directed collagen gel shrinkage. These structures may have application in other areas that require small-diameter tendons.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Immunological research of rat osteoblast xenotransplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the immunoreaction after osteoblast xenotransplantation and to investigate the possibility of heterogenic osteocyte transplantation and tissue engineered bone reconstruction. METHODS: Rat osteoblasts were isolated by two-part bony digestion/elements in culturing, and incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C, 5% carbon dioxide for 5 days until they multiplied and formed a monolayer on the bottom of dish. Twenty-eight rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Autograft of osteoblasts(group A), xenograft of osteoblasts(group B) and normal saline(group C) were implanted into the rectus abdominus muscle. The immunological and histological observations were performed after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of transplantation. RESULTS: Cultured cells reached confluence within 5 days and was identified as osteoblasts by ALP staining and Bon kossa staining. The result of host versus graft reaction was negative. In group B, specific antibody reaction was detected 2 weeks and 4 weeks after transplantation. Cell mediated cytotoxicity was detected after 2 weeks, reached the peak value 4 weeks later, and then began to decline 8 weeks later. HE staining showed mass inflammatory cells and no ectopic ossification after 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Heterogenic osteoblast transplantation will lead to an obvious change in host humoral and cellular immunity and lost the ability of bone formation. So, it can not be used for the reliable cell sources for osteocyte transplantation or tissue-engineering bone reconstruction.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Mineralization capacity of Runx2/Cbfa1-genetically engineered fibroblasts is scaffold dependent.

Development of tissue-engineered constructs for skeletal regeneration of large critical-sized defects requires the identification of a sustained mineralizing cell source and careful optimization of scaffold architecture and surface properties. We have recently reported that Runx2-genetically engineered primary dermal fibroblasts express a mineralizing phenotype in monolayer culture, highlighting their potential as an autologous osteoblastic cell source which can be easily obtained in large quantities. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the osteogenic potential of Runx2-expressing fibroblasts when cultured in vitro on three commercially available scaffolds with divergent properties: fused deposition-modeled polycaprolactone (PCL), gas-foamed polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), and fibrous collagen disks. We demonstrate that the mineralization capacity of Runx2-engineered fibroblasts is scaffold dependent, with collagen foams exhibiting ten-fold higher mineral volume compared to PCL and PLGA matrices. Constructs were differentially colonized by genetically modified fibroblasts, but scaffold-directed changes in DNA content did not correlate with trends in mineral deposition. Sustained expression of Runx2 upregulated osteoblastic gene expression relative to unmodified control cells, and the magnitude of this expression was modulated by scaffold properties. Histological analyses revealed that matrix mineralization co-localized with cellular distribution, which was confined to the periphery of fibrous collagen and PLGA sponges and around the circumference of PCL microfilaments. Finally, FTIR spectroscopy verified that mineral deposits within all Runx2-engineered scaffolds displayed the chemical signature characteristic of carbonate-containing, poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite. These results highlight the important effect of scaffold properties on the capacity of Runx2-expressing primary dermal fibroblasts to differentiate into a mineralizing osteoblastic phenotype for bone tissue engineering applications.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Sustainability of keratinocyte gene transfer and cell survival in vivo.

The epidermis is an attractive site for therapeutic gene delivery because it is accessible and capable of delivering polypeptides to the systemic circulation. A number of difficulties, however, have emerged in attempts at cutaneous gene delivery, and central among these is an inability to sustain therapeutic gene production. We have examined two major potential contributing factors, viral vector stamina and involvement of long-lived epidermal progenitor cells. Human keratinocytes were either untreated or transduced with a retroviral vector for beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) at > 99% efficiency and then grafted onto immunodeficient mice to regenerate human epidermis. Human epidermis was monitored in vivo after grafting for clinical and histologic appearance as well as for gene expression. Although integrated vector sequences persisted unchanged in engineered epidermis at 10 weeks post-grafting, retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven beta-Gal expression ceased in vivo after approximately 4 weeks. Endogenous cellular promoters, however, maintained consistently normal gene expression levels without evidence of time-dependent decline, as determined by immunostaining with species-specific antibodies for human involucrin, filaggrin, keratinocyte transglutaminase, keratin 10, type VII collagen, and Laminin 5 proteins out to week 14 post-grafting. Transduced human keratinocytes generated multilayer epidermis sustained through multiple epidermal turnover cycles; this epidermis demonstrated retention of a spatially appropriate pattern of basal and suprabasal epidermal marker gene expression. These results confirm previous findings suggesting that viral promoter-driven gene expression is not durable and demonstrate that keratinocytes passaged in vitro can regenerate and sustain normal epidermis for prolonged periods.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of metallic and polymeric biomaterial surface energy and surface roughness characteristics for directed cell adhesion.

Directed cell adhesion remains an important goal of implant and tissue engineering technology. In this study, surface energy and surface roughness were investigated to ascertain which of these properties show more overall influence on biomaterial-cell adhesion and colonization. Jet impingement was used to quantify cellular adhesion strength. Cellular proliferation and extracellular matrix secretion were used to characterize colonization of 3T3MC fibroblasts on: HS25 (a cobalt based implant alloy, ASTM F75), 316L stainless steel, Ti-6Al4V (a titanium implant alloy), commercially pure tantalum (Ta), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone rubber (SR), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The metals exhibited a nearly five-fold greater adhesion strength than the polymeric materials tested. Generally, surface energy was proportional to cellular adhesion strength. Only polymeric materials demonstrated significant increased adhesion strength associated with increased surface roughness. Cellular adhesion on metals demonstrated a linear correlation with surface energy. Less than half as much cellular proliferation was detected on polymeric materials compared to the metals. However the polymers tested demonstrated greater than twice the amount of secreted extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on a per cell basis than the metallic materials. Thus, surface energy may be a more important determinant of cell adhesion and proliferation, and may be more useful than surface roughness for directing cell adhesion and cell colonization onto engineered tissue scaffoldings.

3T3 Cells↗