title: Selective functionalization of nanofiber scaffolds to regulate salivary gland epithelial cell proliferation and polarity.
abstract: Epithelial cell types typically lose apicobasal polarity when cultured on 2D substrates, but apicobasal polarity is required for directional secretion by secretory cells, such as salivary gland acinar cells. We cultured salivary gland epithelial cells on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofiber scaffolds that mimic the basement membrane, a specialized extracellular matrix, and examined cell proliferation and apicobasal polarization. Although cells proliferated on nanofibers, chitosan-coated nanofiber scaffolds stimulated proliferation of salivary gland epithelial cells. Although apicobasal cell polarity was promoted by the nanofiber scaffolds relative to flat surfaces, as determined by the apical localization of ZO-1, it was antagonized by the presence of chitosan. Neither salivary gland acinar nor ductal cells fully polarized on the nanofiber scaffolds, as determined by the homogenous membrane distribution of the mature tight junction marker, occludin. However, nanofiber scaffolds chemically functionalized with the basement membrane protein, laminin-111, promoted more mature tight junctions, as determined by apical localization of occludin, but did not affect cell proliferation. To emulate the multifunctional capabilities of the basement membrane, bifunctional PLGA nanofibers were generated. Both acinar and ductal cell lines responded to signals provided by bifunctional scaffolds coupled to chitosan and laminin-111, demonstrating the applicability of such scaffolds for epithelial cell types.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Life Sciences Bldg., Albany, NY 12222, USA.
authors.forename: Shraddha I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Cantara
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Soscia
authors.forename: Sharon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sequeira
authors.forename: Riffard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Jean-Gilles
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castracane
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D051381:Rats; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid