Acetaldehyde plasma polymer-coated PET fibers for endothelial cell patterning: Chemical, topographical, and biological analysis.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to produce fibrous biomaterials with cell adhesive and cell repulsive capabilities for biomedical applications. To this aim, the surface of 100-mum diameter polyethylene terephthalate fibers were functionalized with acetaldehyde plasma polymer deposition followed by carboxymethyl dextran grafting onto the aldehyde-coated surfaces via a polyethyleneimine interlayer. The performance of the surface modification steps were confirmed by surface chemical composition analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface topography analysis by atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The acetaldehyde plasma polymer-coated and polyethyleneimine-grafted substrates promoted human umbilical vein endothelial cells attachment, spreading and actin filaments/focal adhesions formation. In contrast, carboxymethyl dextran-grafted substrates resisted cell adhesion. These observations demonstrate that the current surface-modified polymer fibers can be used in tissue engineering applications, such as cell patterning substrates or vascular prosthesis development.