Plasma surface modification of chitosan membranes: characterization and preliminary cell response studies.
Surface modification of biomaterials is a way to tailor cell responses whilst retaining the bulk properties. In this work, chitosan membranes were prepared by solvent casting and treated with nitrogen or argon plasma at 20 W for 10-40 min. AFM indicated an increase in the surface roughness as a result of the ongoing etching process. XPS and contact angle measurements showed different surface elemental compositions and higher surface free energy. The MTS test and direct contact assays with an L929 fibroblast cell line indicated that the plasma treatment improved the cell adhesion and proliferation. Overall, the results demonstrated that such plasma treatments could significantly improve the biocompatibility of chitosan membranes and thus improve their potential in wound dressings and tissue engineering applications.
Silva
Simone S
SS
3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Department of Polymer Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. simonesilva@dep.uminho.pt
Luna
Sandra M
SM
Gomes
Manuela E
ME
Benesch
Johan
J
Pashkuleva
Iva
I
Mano
João F
JF
Reis
Rui L
RL
D000818:Animals; D001128:Argon / Q000737:chemistry; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D051379:Mice; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D017155:Wettability
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D001128:Argon; D048271:Chitosan; D009584:Nitrogen