Thursday, 13 June, 2013, 02:52
This month I moved one step ahead in my research and elaborated the results of studies concerning HUVECs growth on genipin cross-linked polyelectrolyte coatings. I attempted to improve the cellular adhesion properties of films through chemical cross-linking with a genipin. Hyaluronan (HA), poly-L-lysine (PLL) and alginate (ALG) were used to assemble [PLL-HA]n and [PLL–ALG]n films in two different thickness variants, 12 and 24 bi-layers respectively. The effects of genipin cross-linking on the internal composition, surface topography, nano-hardness of multilayers and as a consequence on cellular processes were investigated. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements shown a slight changes in the internal structure of multilayers cross-linked with various genipin concentration. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed that cross-linking affected each of the films topography and stiffness differently. Cellular adhesion, proliferation and functionality studies using endothelial cells, carried out on both films demonstrated differences. The [PLL–ALG]n film was shown to better improve endothelialization, especially for high bi-layer numbers and using higher concentrations of the cross-linker. In May, I participated in “Poznańskie Dni Cytometrii i Immunopatologii “conference, where I presented results of the mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into endothelial cells in order to rebuild tissue structure of porcine scaffolds after acellularization.