Optimization of Parylene C and Parylene N thin films for use in cellular co-culture and tissue barrier models

Abstract

Parylene has been used widely used as a coating on medical devices. It has also been used to fabricate thin films and porous membranes upon which to grow cells. Porous membranes are integral components of in vitro tissue barrier and co-culture models, and their interaction with cells and tissues affects the performance and physiological relevance of these model systems. Parylene C and Parylene N are two biocompatible Parylene variants with potential for use in these models, but their effect on cellular behavior is not as well understood as more commonly used cell culture substrates, such as tissue culture treated polystyrene and glass. Here, we use a simple approach for benchtop oxygen plasma treatment and investigate the changes in cell spreading and extracellular matrix deposition as well as the physical and chemical changes in material surface properties. Our results support and build on previous findings of positive effects of plasma treatment on Parylene biocompatibility while showing a more pronounced improvement for Parylene C compared to Parylene N. We measured relatively minor changes in surface roughness following plasma treatments, but significant changes in oxygen concentration at the surface persisted for 7 days and was likely the dominant factor in improving cellular behavior. Overall, this study offers facile and relatively low-cost plasma treatment protocols that provide persistent improvements in cell-substrate interactions on Parylene that match and exceed tissue culture polystyrene.

Functionalized Parylene Films for Enhancement of Antibody Production by Hybridoma Cells

“…A neuron-like cell line, PC-12, was also cultured on UV-treated parylene-C and parylene-N films, which induced simultaneous proliferation and differentiation of PC-12 cells with neurite outgrowth . Recently, the influence of parylene films for the other kinds of cells was reported for HUVEC cells, NTera2.D1 astrocyte cell, cancer cells. − These results indicate that the chemical environment supplied by the functionalized parylene films can influence the proliferation and differentiation of the cultured cells. In this study, antibody-producing hybridoma cells were cultured on modified parylene films to produce a monoclonal antibody against the well-known fungal toxin, ochratoxin-A (OTA) .…”

Extensive Properties Investigation of AgNWs‐PEDOT:PSS Based Transparent Conductive Electrode for Ultraflexible Organic Photodetector Applications

“…Among these choices, parylene-C a chlorinated variant among the various parylene class of polymers is an excellent choice for ultraflexible applications as it is highly versatile and offers several advantages such as high mechanical flexibility, conformability, moisture and chemical resistivity, transparency, dielectric property, light weight, and excellent adhesion to substrates. [61][62][63][64] In this work, we have fabricated AgNWs-PEDOT:PSS based ultraflexible TCE spincoated on 5 μm parylene-C substrate and have investigated its optoelectrical, mechanical, and material characteristics. Finally, using this electrode we have fabricated an ultraflexible OPD, and its performance is evaluated and compared with standard ITO-based OPD.…”

“…Among these choices, parylene‐C a chlorinated variant among the various parylene class of polymers is an excellent choice for ultraflexible applications as it is highly versatile and offers several advantages such as high mechanical flexibility, conformability, moisture and chemical resistivity, transparency, dielectric property, light weight, and excellent adhesion to substrates. [ 61–64 ]…”

Parylene-C Coating Protects Resin-3D-Printed Devices from Material Erosion and Prevents Cytotoxicity toward Primary Cells

“…Recently, a few reports have shown that coating resin-3D-printed materials with parylene C increased their compatibility with hardy cell lines in direct or indirect contact with the materials. − For cells cultured directly on the 3D-printed substrate, parylene coating has been used successfully with endothelial cells and the epithelial cell line MDCK . Parylene was also effective in an indirect context, i.e., for the culture of cell lines including keratinocyte HaCaTs and primary neuronal cells on PDMS chips molded from parylene-coated 3D-printed master molds .…”