title: Chemical surface modification of poly-ε-caprolactone improves Schwann cell proliferation for peripheral nerve repair.
abstract: Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer used in tissue engineering for various clinical applications. Schwann cells (SCs) play an important role in nerve regeneration and repair. SCs attach and proliferate on PCL films but cellular responses are weak due to the hydrophobicity and neutrality of PCL. In this study, PCL films were hydrolysed and aminolysed to modify the surface with different functional groups and improve hydrophilicity. Hydrolysed films showed a significant increase in hydrophilicity while maintaining surface topography. A significant decrease in mechanical properties was also observed in the case of aminolysis. In vitro tests with Schwann cells (SCs) were performed to assess film biocompatibility. A short-time experiment showed improved cell attachment on modified films, in particular when amino groups were present on the material surface. Cell proliferation significantly increased when both treatments were performed, indicating that surface treatments are necessary for SC response. It was also demonstrated that cell morphology was influenced by physico-chemical surface properties. PCL can be used to make artificial conduits and chemical modification of the inner lumen improves biocompatibility.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science Centre, Department of Engineering and Physical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HS, United Kingdom; Blond McIndoe Laboratories, School of Biomedicine, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alba C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Luca
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Terenghi
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downes
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D006868:Hydrolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions / Q000187:drug effects; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D011091:Polyesters; D014867:Water; C016240:polycaprolactone