Poly(styrenesulfonate)/Poly(allylamine) Multilayers:  A Route To Favor Endothelial Cell Growth on Expanded Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) Vascular Grafts

Abstract

Small-diameter synthetic vascular grafts of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) polymer concern one of the most common alternatives for the replacement of diseased vessels. However, high failure rates arise especially due to the lack of endothelial cells (ECs). EC seeding was developed to build a monolayer on the luminal surface. Because ECs show little or no adhesion on synthetic prostheses, it is necessary to promote their retention. On ePTFE surfaces we successfully deposited polyelectrolyte multilayer films (PMFs) consisting of poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) to obtain PEI-(PSS-PAH)3 films. EC adhesion and spreading on modified ePTFE were assessed by scanning electron and confocal microscopies. Cell viability was evaluated by Alamar Blue assay. After 7 days of culture, the ePTFE modified with PMF exhibited improvements of EC viability as compared to that of the controls (nonmodified ePTFE) or even ePTFE coated by a PAH monolayer (p < 0.05). Moreover, the spreading of ECs was largely enhanced compared to that of the same controls, resulting in a healthy confluent cell monolayer formation. Positive staining for the von Willebrand factor confirmed the EC phenotype. Promoting EC attachment and function on ePTFE modified with PMFs could become in the future a promising treatment for synthetic small-diameter vascular grafts.

Adhesion, proliferation, and gene expression profile of human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured on bilayered polyelectrolyte coatings composed of glycosaminoglycans

“…been shown to inhibit the formation of arteriosclerotic plaques within animal models, 41 as well as enhance would healing. 9,10 Although there have already been several studies on endothelial cell interaction with various glycosaminoglycan coatings [42][43][44] and other multilayer polyelectolyte films, [45][46][47] there has not yet been a systematic comparison of the adhesion, proliferation, and gene expression profile of endothelial cells on various glycosaminoglycan-coated surfaces. Given the vast potential of glycosaminoglycan-based multilayered polyelectrolyte films in the fabrication of stent coatings [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and other tissue engineering applications, [8][9][10][11] it is of great interest to determine which particular combination of glycosaminoglycans with other polyelectrolytes ͑i.e., chitosan, poly-L-lysine͒ would yield the most conducive substrata for endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation, and expression of differentiated phenotype.…”

Polyelectrolyte Films Boost Progenitor Cell Differentiation into Endothelium‐like Monolayers

“…PEMs are obtained by alternate deposition of poly(sodium-4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) on almost any kind of substrate. [6] Previous studies indicated that PSS/PAH multilayered films when terminated by PAH induce strong adhesion of ECs that spread and keep their phenotype on glass, [7] on expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE), [8] and on cryopreserved luminal arteries. [9] Also PSS/chitosan films on aminolyzed poly(L-lactic acid) improved the cytocompatibility of human ECs, [10] while patterning of chitosan by a poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamp with oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and methacrylic acid copolymers allows spatial orientation of human endothelial cells.…”

Generic Nitric Oxide (NO) Generating Surface by Immobilizing Organoselenium Species via Layer-by-Layer Assembly

“…Indeed, PEI can absorb on polymeric surfaces via hydrophobic interaction to introduce cationic amine groups and initialize LbL growth 44. As shown in Figure 10(b), the resulting coated device with 10 bilayers exhibits similar catalytic NO generation.…”