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Biomedical subjects

Doris Klee

Publications and source records attributed to Doris Klee.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

BMP-7 loaded microspheres as a new delivery system for the cultivation of human chondrocytes in a collagen type-I gel.

In recent years, interest in chondrocyte cultures for transplantation has gained increasing attention. We investigated the use of PGLA microspheres as a new delivery system for BMP-7 and the effects on human chondrocytes cultivated in a 3D collagen gel culture. In an in vitro study, human chondrocytes obtained from osteoarthritic knee joints were released, transferred into a collagen type-I gel, and cultivated up to 14 days. In the treatment group PGLA microspheres loaded with human recombinant BMP-7 protein were added to the matrix. After the cultivation period, histological and immunohistochemical investigations were performed. In addition, the aggrecan core protein and type-II collagen mRNA concentrations were measured by real-time PCR. Histological staining for proteoglycan and collagen type-II protein and quantification via digital image processing revealed a significantly higher content in the samples cultivated with BMP-7 loaded microspheres in comparison to the control samples. Moreover, the collagen gel scaffold was partially remodeled by the chondrocytes and replaced by newly synthesized extracellular matrix. Cellular proliferation as well as apoptosis were low. In conclusion, we consider the PGLA microsphere system to be a functional device for the delivery of growth factors during the cultivation of articular chondrocytes leading to an increased content of type-II collagen and proteoglycan in the extracellular matrix.

Aged↗

Melt electrospinning of poly-(ethylene glycol-block-epsilon-caprolactone).

Various block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) with molecular weights between 7000 and 26,900 g/mol were synthesized, and melt electrospun at temperatures between 60 degrees C and 90 degrees C. Two types of fibers were collected, including excellent quality fibers - highly coiled and continuous, with a constant diameter and relatively defect free. Such fibers, termed "solid fibers", were sufficiently cooled during their path between the spinneret and the collector that the symmetric fiber shape is maintained after landing on the collector. The second type of melt electrospun fiber were poor quality, large diameter fibers, flattened on the collector - termed "molten fibers". The solid and molten fibers were morphologically distinct from each other as determined from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using an SEM imaging method to assess the regional variations of collected electrospun material, we found the spinneret pump rate largely influenced the fiber quality. The polymer flow rate to the spinneret and the molecular weight of PEG-b-PCL had the greatest effect on the electrospun fibers collected, with an optimum rate of 0.05-0.1 mL/h for the highest molecular weight copolymers. The lowest molecular weight PEG-b-PCL tended to electrospray, while the material collected from higher molecular weight copolymers were conducive to fiber formation. The highest quality fibers were PEG-b-PCL block copolymers (22,000 and 26,900 g/mol) melt electrospun at temperatures of 85 degrees C and 90 degrees C, corresponding to shear viscosities of the polymer of between 28.1 and 39.4 Pa.S.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Biocompatible surface preparation using amino-functionalized amylose.

Aminopropyl amyloses with various degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared and investigated with respect to their surface modification properties. Poly(acrylic acid) was grafted to plasma-activated PVDF films, and the functional amylose was bound via amide linkage formation. Layer formation was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Contact angle measurements and surface MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry indicated a hydrophilic surface and minimization of protein adsorption.

Amines↗

Direct in vitro electrospinning with polymer melts.

The electrospinning of polymer melts can offer an advantage over solution electrospinning, in the development of layered tissue constructs for tissue engineering. Melt electrospinning does not require a solvent, of which many are cytotoxic in nature, and the use of nonwater soluble polymers allows the collection of fibers on water or onto cells. In this article, melt electrospinning of a blend of PEO-block-PCL with PCL was performed with in vitro cultured fibroblasts as the collection target. The significant parameters governing electrospinning polymer melts were determined before electrospinning directly onto fibroblasts. In general, a high electric field resulted in the most homogeneous and smallest fibers, although it is important that an optimal pump rate to the spinneret needs to be determined for different configurations. Many parameters governing melt electrospinning differ to those reported for solution electrospinning: the pump rate was a magnitude lower and the viscosity a magnitude higher than successful parameters for solution electrospinning. Cell vitality was maintained throughout the electrospinning process. Six days after electrospinning, fibroblasts adhered to the electrospun fibers and appeared to detach from the underlying flat substrate. The morphology of the fibroblasts changed from spread and flat, to long and spindle-shaped as adherence onto the fiber progressed. Therefore, an important step for producing layer-on-layer tissue constructs of cells and polymers in view of scaffold construction for tissue engineering was successfully demonstrated. The process of using cultured cells as the collection target was termed "direct in vitro electrospinning".

Adult↗

Blood cell and plasma protein repellent properties of star-PEG-modified surfaces.

The implantation of biomaterials, medical devices or prostheses can instigate a rejection response or initiate an undesirable adsorption of plasma proteins, as well as blood cells on the implant surface, thus triggering diverse defense mechanisms against the supposed pathologic invader. The extent of this inflammatory reaction depends in part on the biocompatibility of the used materials or coatings. Although adsorption and coagulation responses can appear during the total in vivo lifetime of the implant, they are initially and crucially formed within the first 2-4 weeks of implantation. This early phase is of decisive importance for the consecutive in-growth and healing process. The present study was intended to elucidate the effects of blood contact to surfaces modified with reactive six-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol-stat-propylene glycol) pre-polymers (Star PEG). Taken together, for Star-PEG-covered substrates we could demonstrate a profound reduction of various blood-biomaterial interactions compared to non-coated substrates, indicating the promising potential of this material as future coating for biomaterials with blood contact.

Adsorption↗

Lipase catalyzed copolymerization of 3(S)-isopropylmorpholine-2,5-dione and D,L-lactide.

The polymerization and copolymerization of 3(S)-isopropylmorpholine-2,5-dione (IPMD) and D,L-lactide (DLLA) were carried out in the presence of Porcine pancreatic lipase type II (PPL) as a catalyst at 100 degrees C for 168 h. Homopolymers and random copolymers of various compositions were obtained with a carboxylic acid group at one end and a hydroxyl group at the other end. The glass transition temperature of the copolymers decreases with increasing mole fraction of DLLA residue in the copolymers.

Hot Temperature↗

Biologic response to polymer-coated stents: in vitro analysis and results in an iliac artery sheep model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate biologic response to poly(hydroxymethyl-p-xylylene-co-p-xylylene) (PHPX)-coated stents in vitro and in vivo in sheep. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Physical stability, hemocompatibility, and cytotoxicity of the coating were first assessed in vitro. Thirty-six self-expanding nitinol (Memotherm), 24 stainless steel balloon-mounted (Palmaz), and 12 self-expanding nitinol (ZA) stents were coated with PHPX by using chemical vapor deposition polymerization. Seventy-two coated and 72 uncoated stents were placed into iliac arteries of 36 sheep. Sheep were classified into three groups of 12 animals each. In each group, six sheep were killed after 1 month; six, after 6 months. In each sheep, two uncoated stents were placed into one limb; two coated stents of the same type, into the opposite limb. In groups 1 and 2, Palmaz and Memotherm stents were used; in group 3, Memotherm and ZA stents were used. In groups 1 and 3, arteries were healthy. In group 2, arteries were pretreated with a Fogarty maneuver. Stent patency was measured with intravascular ultrasonography (US) and histologic analysis. Cellular response to coated and uncoated stents was assessed. Measurements were compared (Wilcoxon test). RESULTS: In vitro, PHPX coating was stable; hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity were similar to those of stainless steel. In vivo, patency of coated and uncoated Palmaz and ZA stents was not different (P >.05). Patency of coated and uncoated Memotherm stents did not differ in four of six follow-up subgroups, but it was significantly reduced in group 2 after 6 months (intravascular US, P =.03; histologic analysis, P =.01) and in group 3 after 1 month (histologic analysis, P =.01). Histologically, the cellular response to coated and uncoated stents was not different (P >.05). CONCLUSION: PHPX coating had good physical stability and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Performance of coated and uncoated Palmaz and ZA stents was similar. Patency of Memotherm stents was similar in four of six follow-up subgroups. Materials effects did not result in severely enhanced neointimal hyperplasia.

Animals↗

Surface modification of poly(vinylidenefluoride) to improve the osteoblast adhesion.

Cell adhesion to biomaterials is mediated primarily by the interaction between surface bound proteins and corresponding receptors on the membrane of the cells. The attachment of fibronectin onto poly(vinylidenefluoride) (PVDF) surface and the application of PVDF as biomaterial in bone contact was the subject of our study. PVDF is a biomaterial established for soft tissue applications. Surface modifications of PVDF were performed by plasma induced graft copolymerisation of acrylic acid or CVD polymerisation of 4-amino[2.2]paracyclophane. The provided functionalised PVDF surface was used to immobilise fibronectin using different techniques. All modification steps were verified by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (IR-ATR) and contact angle measurements. Surface topology was studied by atomic force measurements (AFM). Protein adsorption was controlled by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell attachment was enhanced if physically adsorbed fibronectin was used, while enhanced attachment and proliferation were induced by covalently binding fibronectin to the surface modified PVDF.

Acetates↗

Development of a temperature sensitive drug release system for polymeric implant devices.

A low density polyethylene (LDPE) model surface was coated with poly(amino-p-xylylene) (amino-ppx) via chemical vapour deposition (CVD) polymerization. The functional surface was used to immobilize a polymeric drug release system consisting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAAm)-co-poly(acrylic acid) (AAc). The coupled drug release system was used to incorporate the thrombin inhibitor r-hirudin. For the investigation of the concentration of incorporated r-hirudin and the release profile over a given period of time r-hirudin was labelled with 123I as well as fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). Using an incubation solution concentration of 0.2% at pH 5 and an ionic strength of 0.7 M a maximum concentration of 2.21 (+/- 0.11) nmol/cm2 of r-hirudin was detected. FITC-r-hirudin was almost quantitatively (2.08 +/- 10 nmol/cm2; 94%) released from the surface coating within a period of 14 days.

Biocompatible Materials↗