Surface modification of PES fibers for biocompatibility
Surface modification of PES fibers for biocompatibility
Sarvenaz Torabi,1Babak Akbari,2,*Hossein Noruzy moghadam ,3
1. MA student at the University of Tehran 2. Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran 3. Instructor at Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute
Introduction: Polyethersulphone (PES) is one of the most important polymers with many desirable properties like exceptional mechanical properties, chemical stability, and so on. For these reasons, it is used as a biomaterial in medicine. One of the clinical applications of PES is in haemodialysis membranes. PES has also been used as scaffolding in some projects. On the other hand, PES is very hydrophilic and therefore has some problems. When it comes into contact with blood, some proteins attach to its surface and the biocompatibility and haemocompatibility properties of the polymer are reduced. There are many surface modification methods to improve biocompatibility and cell properties. This study reviewed the previous studies on surface modification of PES.
Methods: Chua et al compared the expansion of human umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells on unmodified, hydroxylated, carboxylated, and aminated PES nanofibers. The results of the ten-day culture showed an increase in the growth of cells on the aminated fibers.
Another research study was on the bioartificial kidney. In this study, PES fibers coated by L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and human collagen type IV to improve proliferation of human embryonic kidney cells-293 (HEK-293) and separation of uremic toxins. The result showed low hemolysis, prolonged blood coagulation time, and minimal platelet adhesion. These results demonstrated that these coated PES fibers can be a potential biocompatible substrate for the attachment and proliferation of HEK-293 cells and the removal of uremic toxins from the simulated blood.
Modification of PES fibers with a peptide sequence based on fibronectin was performed by Lin et al. The attachment and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells was assessed and RGD-treated surfaces resulted in a higher proliferation of ASCs after 6 and 48 h. These results indicate that PES membranes modified with the RGD peptide sequence can be utilized for enhanced cell attachment in biomedical applications.
In a research that Was performed by Hashemi et al, PES fibers were modified by collagen, and mouse embryonic stem cell proliferation was tested. The results indicated the enhanced infiltration and teratoma formation of cells in modified PES.
In one study, PES fibers coated with glutaraldehyde-crosslinked gelatine were produced by the dry-wet spinning method using a triple orifice spinneret. The results of in vitro haemocompatibility tests showed better blood compatibility on modified PES. HepG2/C3A cells cultured on days 3 and 6 showed better cell attachment and proliferation. This study shows that these fibers are a suitable substrate for hepatocyte culture.
Seyedjafari et al also coated PES fibers with collagen for liver tissue engineering. Human bone marrow-derived stem cells are seeded on this fiber. cell-seeded scaffolds after 7 days of culture were tested by MTT assay. The results showed normal attachment and proliferation on modified PES fibers.
Polyethersulfone fibers were chemically modified by covalent coupling with lactobionic acid. The hemocompatibility test indicated the suitability of the modified membranes with human blood. Human primary mesenchymal stem cells and HepG2 cells were cultured on modified PES and the result showed suitable cell proliferation and growth.
In another study, the surface of PES fibers was modified by fluorapatite nanoparticles. MTT test showed suitable proliferation, and attachment of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on modified PES fibers. The result showed that these modified fibers helped with biocalcification and osteogenesis.
In the research of Shabani et al, PES fibers were surface-modified by plasma treatment and collagen grafting. Stem cells were cultured on modified fibers and this test showed normal morphology of the cell.
Results: The results of previous research have shown that coating the surface of polyethersulfone fibers reduces the hydrophobicity of the surface, which increases coagulation time, reduces platelet adhesion, and improves blood compatibility. In cell culture, this also increases the biocompatibility, adhesion, and growth of cells.
Conclusion: Polyethersulfone has been used as a biomaterial because of its unique properties. It has been used as a scaffold for stem cells, liver, etc. However, the problem of hydrophobicity has limited its use. As described above, by modifying the surface, it is possible to improve the hydrophobic properties and consequently its biocompatibility. Considering that polyethersulfone is a commercial polymer, research is still ongoing, and more clinical and in vivo studies are needed to modify its surface.