Biomimetic L-aspartic acid-derived functional poly(ester amide)s for vascular tissue engineering.
Functionalization of polymeric biomaterials permits the conjugation of cell signaling molecules capable of directing cell function. In this study, l-phenylalanine and l-aspartic acid were used to synthesize poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) with pendant carboxylic acid groups through an interfacial polycondensation approach. Human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (HCASMC) attachment, spreading and proliferation was observed on all PEA films. Vinculin expression at the cell periphery suggested that HCASMCs formed focal adhesions on the functional PEAs, while the absence of smooth muscle α-actin (SMαA) expression implied the cells adopted a proliferative phenotype. The PEAs were also electrospun to yield nanoscale three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds with average fiber diameters ranging from 130 to 294nm. Immunoblotting studies suggested a potential increase in SMαA and calponin expression from HCASMCs cultured on 3-D fibrous scaffolds when compared to 2-D films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and immunofluorescence demonstrated the conjugation of transforming growth factor-β1 to the surface of the functional PEA through the pendant carboxylic acid groups. Taken together, this study demonstrates that PEAs containing aspartic acid are viable biomaterials for further investigation in vascular tissue engineering.
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada.
Darryl K
DK
Knight
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada; The Graduate Program of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada; Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada. Electronic address: egillie@uwo.ca.
Elizabeth R
ER
Gillies
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada; The Graduate Program of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada. Electronic address: kmequani@uwo.ca.
Kibret
K
Mequanint
D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D000577:Amides; D001224:Aspartic Acid
Immunoblotting; Poly(ester amide)s; TGF-β1 conjugation; Vascular smooth muscle cells; l-Aspartic acid