Microporous poly(L-lactic acid) membranes fabricated by polyethylene glycol solvent-cast/particulate leaching technique.
Tissue Eng Part C Methods
; 15(3): 463-74, 2009 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19260769
ABSTRACT
With the eventual goal of developing a tissue-engineered tear secretory system, we found that primary lacrimal gland acinar cells grown on solid poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) supports expressed the best histiotypic morphology. However, to be able to perform vectorial transport functions, epithelia must be supported by a permeable substratum. In the present study, we describe the use of a solvent-cast/particulate leaching technique to fabricate microporous PLLA membranes (mpPLLAm) from PLLA/polyethylene glycol blends. Scanning electron microscopy revealed pores on both the air-cured ( approximately 4 microm) and glass-cured sides (<2 microm) of the mpPLLAm. Diffusion studies were performed with mpPLLAm fabricated from 57.1% PLLA/42.9% polyethylene glycol blends to confirm the presence of channelized pores. The data reveal that glucose, L-tryptophan, and dextran (a high molecular weight glucose polymer) readily permeate mpPLLAm. Diffusion of the immunoglobulin G through the mpPLLAm decreased with time, suggesting the possible adsorption and occlusion of the pores. Cells cultured on the mpPLLAm (57.1/42.9 wt%) grew to subconfluent monolayers but retained histiotypic morphological and physiological characteristics of lacrimal acinar cells in vivo. Our results suggest that mpPLLAm fabricated using this technique may be useful as a scaffold for a bioartificial lacrimal gland device.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Polyethylene Glycols
/
Polymers
/
Biocompatible Materials
/
Lactic Acid
/
Tissue Engineering
/
Lacrimal Apparatus
/
Membranes, Artificial
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Tissue Eng Part C Methods
Journal subject:
BIOTECNOLOGIA
/
HISTOLOGIA
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article