Speaker
Description
Introduction
In recent years of regenerative medicine research, polymers have been utilized in an enormous number of types, variations and modifications, yet their potential is far from exhausted. One of the polymers with great variability of shapes and properties is polyurethane. It is a relatively cytocompatible polymer spinnable into nanofibers, allowing the natural extracellular matrix to be mimicked. Another cell-instructive cue of a biomaterial, which is especially advantageous for the cultivation of cardiac and neural tissues, is conductivity. Here, conductive polymers, such as polypyrrole, are very attractive thanks to their combined electron and ion-based conductivity as well as their quick and modifiable chemical synthesis.
Methodology
In this submitted research, electrospinning of polyurethane was used to prepare both anisotropic mats (aligned fibers) and isotropic mats (randomly oriented fibers). These substrates were next coated by in situ polymerization of conductive polypyrrole. Morphology of the created composites was characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The impact of the two cell-instructive factors on cell behavior was studied by fluorescence microscopy of fibroblasts, and more importantly, of embryonic stem cells.
Results
Testing revealed decreased cytocompatibility of synthesized polypyrrole coatings which may be easily improved by beforehand adhesion of biomolecules. In addition, a significant change in morphology of fibroblasts, mainly initiated by the fiber alignment, was observed. Nevertheless, neither anisotropy nor conductivity affected the clustering of embryonic stem cells in the undifferentiated state.
Conclusion
Results of this research deepen current limited knowledge on the polymer biomaterials constructions, biomimicking modifications, and their impact on cell behaviors. However, the challenge still remains in comprehension of every factor which controls and affects cell cultivation, especially stem cells. Complete understanding would allow perfect scaffold designing for specific tissue growth achievement.
Acknowledgments: This research was supported by OP RDE by the project The Development of Capacity for Research and Development of TBU in Zlín - CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/16_028/0006243.
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