AVS 52nd International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Tuesday Sessions
       Session BI2-TuA

Paper BI2-TuA5
Using Plasma Deposits to Promote Cell Population of the Porous Interior of 3D Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 3:20 pm, Room 312

Session: Surface Modification
Presenter: M.R. Alexander, University of Nottingham, UK
Authors: J.J.A. Barry, University of Nottingham, UK
M.M.C.G. Silva, University of Nottingham, UK
K.M. Shakesheff, University of Nottingham, UK
S.M. Howdle, University of Nottingham, UK
M.R. Alexander, University of Nottingham, UK
Correspondent: Click to Email
Cell attachment and proliferation on poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) tissue engineering scaffolds is low, this is generally regarded to be due to the hydrophobicity of the polymer surface. This study reports the first successful deposition of allyl amine plasma polymer throughout the porous network of a 3D scaffold to improve cell adhesion. This is compared and contrasted with the plasma grafting of allyl amine to the PLA. XPS analysis of sectioned scaffolds is used to demonstrate the penetration of nitrogen species to the inner surfaces. The nitrogen concentration at the exterior and interior scaffold surface was greater for the plasma deposits than the grafted surfaces. The variation in nitrogen concentration indicated a variation in thickness through the scaffold due to diffusion limited deposition in the interior pores. The chemistry was characterised using high resolution C1s and N1s core level with reference to literature NEXAFS and derivatisation studies. In vitro evaluation of biocompatibility was carried out by studying 3T3 fibroblast attachment, morphology and metabolic activity on the scaffolds. Cell activity and attachment was found to be greater for the plasma deposits than the plasma grafted PLA scaffolds and greater for both than the as-fabricated PDLLA scaffolds. It is concluded that plasma deposition is a viable method of increasing cell attachment throughout porous PLA and other scaffolds without changing the bulk characteristics of the polymer.