Biocompatibility Of Synthesised Nano-Porous Anodic Aluminium Oxide Membranes For Use As A Cell Culture Substrate For Madin-Darby Canine Kidneys Cells: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

In this study we investigate for the first time the biomedical potential of using a membrane made from anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) for culturing the Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cell line. Nano-porous aluminium oxide membranes exhibit interesting properties such as high porosity, which allows the exchange of molecules and nutrients across the membrane and can be made with highly specific pore sizes that can be preselected by adjusting the controlling parameters of a temperature controlled two-step anodization process. The cellular response and interactions of the MDCK cell line with the synthesised nano-porous AAO membrane, a commercially available membrane and a glass control were assessed by investigating cell adhesion, morphology and proliferation. The number of viable cells proliferating over the surface of each respective membrane was quantified over a 72 h period and revealed that synthesised alumina membrane was at least comparable to the glass control substrate. Furthermore, both optical and electron microscopy investigations revealed distinct evidence of focal adhesion sites on the nano-porous membranes and the penetration of cellular extensions into the pore structure. The results of the study indicate that nano-porous AAO membranes have the potential to become practical cell culture substrates with the ability to enhance adhesion and proliferation of MDCK cells.

Thin nanoporous alumina-based SERS platform for single cell sensing

“…For this reason, biocompatibility tests aiming to assess cell adhesion and proliferation on thin APA and Au-APA were performed using the N2a cell line. Standard thick APA has been extensively studied as a cell substrate [39][40][41]and its biocompatibility is recognized; however, due to the differences in the anodization process, thin APA may show strong variation in pore size and density and, since cell adhesion is strongly affected by surface roughness and morphology [46,[53][54][55]] the assessment of its biocompatibility was necessary. The biocompatibility was not systematically tested for Au-APA, since the morphological influence of Au deposition on thin APA is negligible (see Fig.S3) and Au biocompatibility is well-known; therefore, no major effect on cell viability is expected.…”

“…The possibility to control the pore size and density, the biocompatibility and the mechanical and chemical stability, make APA a promising candidate for applications both in orthopedic and dental implants [39][40][41] as well as in bio-sensing [42][43][44][45]. It is widely recognized that surface morphology and roughness play an important role in the adhesion and proliferation of cells [1, [46][47][48].…”

Biocompatibility of nanometre scale porous anodic aluminium oxide membranes towards the RK 13 epithelial cell line: A preliminary study

“…17 An extensive description of the standard cell culturing procedure used by the authors is presented and discussed in reference. 8 Cell adhesion studies consisted of preparing 3 sets of sample substrates consisting of in-house AAO membranes, Anodisc membranes and glass controls. Each set consisted a substrate designated for each of the 4, 24 and 48 time intervals.…”

“…4 These membranes have also been used for filtration 5 , incorporated into chemical sensors 6,7 and even used as cell scaffolds for potential tissue regenerative procedures. 8,9 From the medical perspective any material being considered as a cell scaffold or substrate needs to take into account biocompatibility and cell-substrate interactions. This is extremely important since these interactions will directly influence cell adhesion, morphology and proliferation.important when you consider molecules involved in cellular processes such as proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids are all nanometre scale structures.…”

Can Anodic Aluminium Oxide Nanomembranes Treated with Nanometre Scale Hydroxyapatite be Used as a Cell Culture Substrate

“…The advantage of using the two-step anodization technique is that it is possible to dictate the type of nanometre scale porous structure formed by adjusting controllable macroscopic parameters such as electrolyte type and concentration, temperature and applied voltage [2,8]. This refined anodization technique has made it possible to use AAO membranes as templates for the manufacture of nanometre scale materials [9,10], biological/chemical sensors [11,12], filter membranes [13] and medical scaffolds for tissue engineering [14][15][16].…”