title: Fibroblast proliferation over dialysis membrane: an experimental model for "tissue" biocompatibility evaluation.
abstract: The present study reports on a biological model based on fibroblast proliferation applied to 3 different types of flat-plate dialysis membrane, in order to ascertain whether the artificial materials currently used in hemodialysis cause in vitro cellular proliferation. The study plan we followed involved plate membrane isolation from non-used dialyzers and used dialyzers, observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) both before and after testing with human fibroblasts by means of cell culture. Fibroblast growth was assessed by phase contrast light microscopy examination and cytometric DNA content evaluation. Our investigations proved that the artificial materials we considered interact with fibroblast cultures. Noticeable proliferative response was observed both after contact with unused material and on mediation by the protein layer absorbed on the membrane surface at the end of dialysis sessions. In this last case fibroblast proliferative activity appeared higher than that observed with unused membranes, showing that the soluble molecules entrapped in the protein layer appeared able to exert a biological activity even in vitro tests.
authors.affiliation: Human Morphology Institute, University of Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biagini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stefoni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solmi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castaldini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buttazzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattioli Belmonte
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nanni Costa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iannelli
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Borgnino
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000378:metabolism / Q000592:standards*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement / Q000378:metabolism; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000592:standards*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; C010504:polyacrylonitrile; C005506:polycarbonate; D002482:Cellulose; D004247:DNA; C009865:cuprammonium cellulose