We compared the capability of human fibroblasts to populate porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds modified during fabrication with surface-active agents Triton Х-100 (type 1 scaffold) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (type 2 scaffold). The mean fiber diameter in both scaffolds was almost the same: 3.90±2.19 and 2.46±2.15 μ, respectively. Type 1 scaffold had higher surface density and hydrophilicity, when type 2 scaffold was 1.6 times thicker. The cells were seeded on the scaffolds by the dynamic seeding technique and then cultured in Petri dishes with nutrient medium in a humid atmosphere. During 3-day culturing, no cell release from the matrix was noted. DAPI staining proved the presence of cells in both scaffolds. However, in type 1 scaffold the cells populated the whole thickness, while in type 2 scaffold, the cells were present only in the superficial layer. These findings suggest that PCL scaffolds modified with Triton Х-100 or polyvinylpyrrolidone are not cytotoxic, but the structure of the scaffold treated with Triton Х-100 is more favorable for population with cells.
Keywords: Triton Х-100; cell culture; polyvinylpyrrolidone; synthetic scaffold; tissue engineering.