Collagen-cellulose composite thin films that mimic soft-tissue and allow stem-cell orientation

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2013 Aug;24(8):2013-27. doi: 10.1007/s10856-013-4940-3. Epub 2013 May 14.

Abstract

Mechanical properties of collagen films are less than ideal for biomaterial development towards musculoskeletal repair or cardiovascular applications. Herein, we present a collagen-cellulose composite film (CCCF) compared against swine small intestine submucosa in regards to mechanical properties, cell growth, and histological analysis. CCCF was additionally characterized by FE-SEM, NMR, mass spectrometry, and Raman Microscopy to elucidate its physical structure, collagen-cellulose composition, and structure activity relationships. Mechanical properties of the CCCF were tested in both wet and dry environments, with anisotropic stress-strain curves that mimicked soft-tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were able to proliferate on the collagen films with specific cell orientation. Mesenchymal stem cells had a higher proliferation index and were able to infiltrate CCCF to a higher degree than small intestine submucosa. With the underlying biological properties, we present a collagen-cellulose composite film towards forthcoming biomaterial-related applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacology
  • Cell Polarity / drug effects
  • Cell Polarity / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellulose / chemistry*
  • Cellulose / pharmacology
  • Collagen / chemistry*
  • Collagen / pharmacology
  • Connective Tissue*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Nanofibers / chemistry
  • Tissue Engineering / instrumentation
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Cellulose
  • Collagen