Chemical surface modification of poly-ε-caprolactone improves Schwann cell proliferation for peripheral nerve repair.
Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer used in tissue engineering for various clinical applications. Schwann cells (SCs) play an important role in nerve regeneration and repair. SCs attach and proliferate on PCL films but cellular responses are weak due to the hydrophobicity and neutrality of PCL. In this study, PCL films were hydrolysed and aminolysed to modify the surface with different functional groups and improve hydrophilicity. Hydrolysed films showed a significant increase in hydrophilicity while maintaining surface topography. A significant decrease in mechanical properties was also observed in the case of aminolysis. In vitro tests with Schwann cells (SCs) were performed to assess film biocompatibility. A short-time experiment showed improved cell attachment on modified films, in particular when amino groups were present on the material surface. Cell proliferation significantly increased when both treatments were performed, indicating that surface treatments are necessary for SC response. It was also demonstrated that cell morphology was influenced by physico-chemical surface properties. PCL can be used to make artificial conduits and chemical modification of the inner lumen improves biocompatibility.
['de Luca|Alba C|AC|', 'Terenghi|Giorgio|G|', 'Downes|Sandra|S|']
D000588:Amines D000818:Animals D002448:Cell Adhesion D049109:Cell Proliferation D048430:Cell Shape D006868:Hydrolysis D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions D009416:Nerve Regeneration D010525:Peripheral Nerves D011091:Polyesters D051381:Rats D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley D012583:Schwann Cells D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared D013499:Surface Properties D014867:Water
surface modification Schwann cells biocompatibility nerve regeneration polycaprolactone wettability