Microporous poly(L-lactic acid) membranes fabricated by polyethylene glycol solvent-cast/particulate leaching technique.
With the eventual goal of developing a tissue-engineered tear secretory system, we found that primary lacrimal gland acinar cells grown on solid poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) supports expressed the best histiotypic morphology. However, to be able to perform vectorial transport functions, epithelia must be supported by a permeable substratum. In the present study, we describe the use of a solvent-cast/particulate leaching technique to fabricate microporous PLLA membranes (mpPLLAm) from PLLA/polyethylene glycol blends. Scanning electron microscopy revealed pores on both the air-cured ( approximately 4 microm) and glass-cured sides (<2 microm) of the mpPLLAm. Diffusion studies were performed with mpPLLAm fabricated from 57.1% PLLA/42.9% polyethylene glycol blends to confirm the presence of channelized pores. The data reveal that glucose, L-tryptophan, and dextran (a high molecular weight glucose polymer) readily permeate mpPLLAm. Diffusion of the immunoglobulin G through the mpPLLAm decreased with time, suggesting the possible adsorption and occlusion of the pores. Cells cultured on the mpPLLAm (57.1/42.9 wt%) grew to subconfluent monolayers but retained histiotypic morphological and physiological characteristics of lacrimal acinar cells in vivo. Our results suggest that mpPLLAm fabricated using this technique may be useful as a scaffold for a bioartificial lacrimal gland device.
Selvam
Shivaram
S
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
Chang
Wenji V
WV
Nakamura
Tamako
T
Samant
Deedar M
DM
Thomas
Padmaja B
PB
Trousdale
Melvin D
MD
Mircheff
Austin K
AK
Schechter
Joel E
JE
Yiu
Samuel C
SC
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000737:chemistry; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D011817:Rabbits; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C033616:poly(lactide)