title: Influence of polymer membrane porosity on C3A hepatoblastoma cell adhesive interaction and function.
abstract: The effect of the porosity of acrylonitrile-N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer membranes on human C3A hepatoblastoma cell adhesive interaction and functioning is investigated on four membranes with an average pore size ranging between 6 and 12 nm. Adhesion of C3A cells was quantified and characterized by studying overall cell morphology and focal adhesion formation. Cell-cell interactions were characterized by E-cadherin expression and organization. Cell growth, fibronectin synthesis and cytochrome P450 activity were estimated as criteria of functional cell activity. The results suggest that membrane porosity influences the initial cell-surface interactions since an increasing pore size augmented cell adhesion and aggregate formation. Cell growth after 7 d was diminished on membranes with an average pore size of 12 nm. The activity of P450 measured by 7-ethoxycoumarin conversion at day 7 was influenced by membrane topography representing a clear optimum in the range of 7-10 nm pore size. These results indicate that membrane porosity is a determinant for the function of hepatocytes in extracorporal liver assist devices.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad G Bonchev Str, Bl 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krasteva
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weigel
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schossig
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altankov
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Groth
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D018197:Hepatoblastoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System