title: Simple fabrication method for a porous poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix by multisolvent mixtures for an air-exposed model of the lung epithelial system.
abstract: We introduce a simple and easy method for fabricating a thin and porous matrix that can be used as an extracellular matrix (ECM). A porous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix was created through recrystallization by multiple solvents under distilled water (DW), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and a combination of DW and IPA. The crysatllization was driven by precipitating and dissolving a solute in a solution of a solvent and a nonsolvent, which induced the formation of microspheres in the IPA. The crystal structure depended on the ratio of the solvent/nonsolvent and the concentration of the PVA aqueous solution; these properties were used to tune the thickness, size, and porosity of the matrices. The resulting PVA matrix was chemically stabilized through a reaction with glutaraldehyde in the IPA solution. We demonstrated that a very thin and porous PVA matrix provided an effective functional model of the lung epithelial system. Lung epithelial cells (A549) displayed a high affinity for this matrix, which was permeable to the culture medium. These properties facilitated culturing under the air environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Korea University , Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-703, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Su-Kyoung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Cho Hay
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.forename: Da-Yoon
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sang-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010316:Particle Size; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol