title: In vitro culture of rat neuromicrovascular endothelial cells on polymeric scaffolds.
abstract: Polyphosphazenes are polymers possessing a skeleton composed of alternating phosphorous and nitrogen atoms, and two side-moieties linked to each phosphorous atom. Polyphosphazenes with amino acid esters as side-moieties are biocompatible and biodegradable polymers. Two polyphosphazenes, poly[bis(ethyl alanate) phosphazene] and poly[(ethyl phenylalanate)0.8(ethyl alanate)0.8(ethyl glycinate)0.4 phosphazene] (PPAGP) were synthesized, and processed to form small fibers. Their ability to support rat neuromicrovascular endothelial cell (EC) adhesion and growth has been studied, using poly(D,L-lactic acid) as reference compound. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that both poly[bis(ethyl alanate) phosphazene] and PPAGP fibers were thinner than poly(D,L-lactic acid) fibers, and possessed a more irregular and porous surface. All polymers increased EC adhesion, compared with polystyrene, but only polyphosphazenes were able to improve EC growth. The highest increase in EC proliferation was induced by PPAGP, which, as revealed by environmental scanning electron microscopy, was also able to induce ECs to arrange into tubular structures. The conclusion is drawn that PPAGP may provide the best scaffold for engineered blood vessels, because it promotes adhesion, growth, and organization of ECs into capillary-like structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Conconi
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lora
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baiguera
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boscolo
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Folin
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scienza
authors.forename: Piera
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rebuffat
authors.forename: Pier Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Parnigotto
authors.forename: Gastone Giovanni
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Nussdorfer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001388:Aziridines / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000294:innervation; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D001388:Aziridines; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C500041:poly(bis(ethyl alanate) phosphazene); C033920:phenylalanyl-prolyl-arginyl-5-amidoisophthalic acid dimethyl ester