AVS 49th International Symposium
    Plasma Science Wednesday Sessions
       Session PS+BI-WeA

Paper PS+BI-WeA3
Can Plasma Polymerised Surfaces Promote the Co-culture of Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Human Epidermal Keratinocytes in the Tissue Engineering of Skin?

Wednesday, November 6, 2002, 2:40 pm, Room C-103

Session: Plasma Processing for Biocompatible Surfaces
Presenter: M.C. Higham, University of Sheffield, UK
Authors: M.C. Higham, University of Sheffield, UK
S. MacNeil, University of Sheffield, UK
R.D. Short, University of Sheffield, UK
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Within the field of tissue engineering there is a need to develop new approaches to achieve effective wound closure in patients with extensive skin loss or chronic ulcers. Plasma polymers are synthetic surfaces capable of influencing and controlling cell physiology either directly or through an adsorbed protein layer. This project exploits the well-known interdependency of epithelial keratinocytes and stromal fibroblasts in conjunction with plasma surface technology. The aim of my project is to produce a chemically defined surface, which with the aid of a feeder layer of lethally irradiated dermal fibroblasts will improve the performance of the keratinocyte cell. Unable to divide yet remain physiologically active, irradiated fibroblasts aid keratinocyte attachment and proliferation from which sub-confluent cells can be transferred to wound bed models. Plasma co-polymers of acrylic acid/octa-1,7-diene have been prepared and characterised using X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS). The fibroblasts and keratinocytes were cultured on plasma polymer coated 24 well plates. Cell attachment and proliferation were assessed using MTT-ESTA and DNA assays. The performance of both cell types on the plasma polymer surfaces was compared to Tissue Culture Plastic (TCPS) and Collagen I, plus a negative control of a pure hydrocarbon layer. A pure acrylic acid surface, fabricated at a power of 10W and containing 9% carboxylate group was found to promote both fibroblast and keratinocyte attachment and proliferation and permit the co-culture of keratinocytes with irradiated fibroblasts. The performance of this surface was comparable to collagen I, a well-established substratum for the attachment of keratinocytes. Current work is examining the potential of plasma polymer surfaces within the field of tissue engineering for transfer of keratinocytes onto an in vitro wound bed model and thereafter clinical trials.