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Biomedical subjects

Ki Dong Park

Publications and source records attributed to Ki Dong Park.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

ERK 1/2 activation in enhanced osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells in poly(lactic-glycolic acid) by cyclic hydrostatic pressure.

The aim of this study was to identify the signal transduction pathways and mechano-transducers that play critical roles in the processes induced by changes in cyclic hydrostatic pressure and fluid shear in 3-dimensional (3D) culture systems. Mesenchymal stem cells were loaded into a polymeric scaffold and divided into three groups according to the stress treatment: static, fluid shear, and hydrostatic pressure with fluid shear. Cells were exposed daily to a hydrostatic pressure of 0.2 MPa for 1 min followed by 14 min rest with fluid flow at 30 rpm. Protein extracts were analyzed by Western blot for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). The complexes were cultured under the mechanical stimuli for 21 days with or without phospho-ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) and evaluated by RT-PCR, calcium contents, and immunohistochemistry. Under conditions of mechanical stimulation, the activation of ERK1/2 was sustained or increased with time. U0126 suppressed mechanical stimuli-induced expression of osteocalcin. In addition, calcium contents and the degrees of osteocalcin and osteopontin staining were decreased by this inhibitor. These results demonstrate that mechanical stimuli, particularly hydrostatic pressure with fluid shear, enhance osteogenesis in 3D culture systems via ERK1/2 activation.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Heparin conjugated polymeric micelle for long-term delivery of basic fibroblast growth factor.

Heparin conjugated amphiphilic block copolymer, Tetronic-PCL-heparin (TCH), was developed and its polymeric micelles (PMs) were prepared as an injectable vehicle for long-term delivery of bFGF, which is one of the heparin-binding growth factors (HBGF). TCH PMs were fabricated by a single emulsion and solvent evaporation method. The structural properties of TCH were confirmed by (1)H NMR, FT-IR and GPC. The contents of bound heparin were 0.44 micro g/micro g and the heparin activity by APTT assay was 43.6% when compared to free heparin. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of TCH PMs was approximately 0.11 g/l. The diameter of TC micelle was approximately 25 nm and its size after conjugation of heparin was increased to 114 nm due to the heparin molecules on the shell of the micelle. The bFGF loading amount of TCH PMs was considerably higher than that of TC, caused by specific interactions between heparin and bFGF. In vitro study, bFGF was released from TCH PMs in a controlled manner over 2 months. The results demonstrated that TCH PMs become a novel candidate for the long-term delivery of various growth factors with heparin-binding domain in tissue engineering.

Circular Dichroism↗

Complement activation by sulfonated poly(ethylene glycol)-acrylate copolymers through alternative pathway.

Previously, novel poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and sulfonated PEG acrylate (PEG-SO(3)A/OA) copolymers were prepared as coating and/or blending materials for biomedical applications. Surfaces modified with copolymers exhibited increased anti-coagulation properties and decreased plasma adsorption level due to increased hydrophilic properties and reorientation characteristics of PEG/PEG-SO(3)A chains in water phase. As continuation study, anti-complement effects of PEG-SO(3)/OA copolymers were investigated in vitro, and compared with those of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and PEG/OA. C3 activation by PEG-SO(3)/OA samples was lower than that by PEG/OA samples, which was attributed to decreased surface nucleophile level of samples. PEG-SO(3)/OA samples increased inhibition of Bb production, resulting in decreased C5 activation. Owing to reduced activations of C3 and C5, PEG-SO(3)/OA samples markedly decreased SC5b-9 levels in plasma.

Acrylates↗

In vivo biocompatibility of sulfonated PEO-grafted polyurethanes for polymer heart valve and vascular graft.

Sulfonated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-grafted polyurethane (PU) (PU-PEO-SO(3)) prepared by bulk modification was used to coat both PU heart valves and vascular grafts, and their in vivo biocompatibility was evaluated using a canine shunt method. The two devices were implanted for up to 39 days and retrieved at specific time points for the analysis of blood compatibility, biostability, and calcium deposition. When the surface of the retrieved specimens was examined using scanning electron microscopy, platelet adhesion and thrombus formation appeared to be significantly lesser formed on the PU-PEO-SO(3)-coated implants, compared with the untreated PUs. While molecular weights of untreated PUs were found by gel permeation chromatography to be decreased after 39 days from implantation, the same remained barely changed with the PU-PEO-SO(3)-coated ones. The inductively coupled plasma study indicated that the amount of deposited calcium was significantly reduced in the surface-modified PU implants. The efficacy of PU-PEO-SO(3)-coated implants in terms of blood compatibility, biostability, and calcification resistance may render them as a promising biomedical material in the application for blood/tissue-contacting tissues and organs.

Animals↗

Importance of integrin beta1-mediated cell adhesion on biodegradable polymers under serum depletion in mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes.

To evaluate the predominant mechanism of chondrogenic cell [mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and chondrocytes] adhesion under serum free conditions, we measured the surface roughness and wettability of poly(lactic acid:polyglycolic acid=75:25) (PLGA), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(-epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)-coated glass plates. Also to evaluate the biological reactions involved in cell-polymer interactions, integrin beta1, one of the cell adhesion molecules, was blocked with monoclonal antibody. In cell attachment test, MSCs and chondrocytes adhesion to synthetic polymers in 1h were very low and ranged from 2.8% to 8.0%. In present study, the correlation between attachment rate and surface roughness, contact angle, or integrin beta1 blocking on PLGA, PLA and PCL-coated plates could not be proved. However, we found that L-arginine-coated PLA highly increased the attachment rates of MSCs (30.2%) and of chondrocytes (26%), whereas integrin beta1 blocking significantly decreased these attachment rates to 5.6% and 7.4%, respectively, suggesting that increased cell adhesion to L-arginine-coated plates is mediated by integrin beta1. In this study, we showed that polymer characteristics such as roughness and wettability did not play an important role in cell adhesion under serum free conditions, because there was no significant difference according to polymer characteristics, whereas biological interactions mediated by integrin beta1 were critical during the early period of cell adhesion. The results suggest that L-arginine could be useful for facilitating early cell adhesion to synthetic polymers in cartilage tissue engineering.

Absorbable Implants↗

Chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells using a thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and water-soluble chitosan copolymer.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) is known to be thermally responsive material and has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST, 32 degrees C) at which a macromolecular transition from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic structure occurs. Chitosan is a useful natural polymeric biomaterial due to its biocompatibility and biodegradable properties. It has good characteristics for cell attachment, proliferation and viability. The aim of this study was to assess the ability to differentiate from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to chondrocytes and mass formation using a newly developed injectable material, a thermosensitive (water-soluble chitosan-g-PNIPAAm) gel, and evaluate cartilage formation in vivo after injecting a cell-thermosensitive gel complex. The MSCs were cultured in the chitosan-PNIPAAm in vitro. Fluorescence-activated cell sort analysis, viability test, collagen type I, II, X formation and the aggrecan levels were examined. These cultured cells can be easily recovered from a copolymer gel by simply lowering the temperature. An animal study was performed to assess cartilage formation in the submucosal layer of the bladder of rabbits. The cartilage formation could be detected. This can be used to treat vesicoureteral reflux or reflux esophagitis by the effective mass effect. This is a simple method (sol-gel technique in LCST), and good cartilage formation occurs in the bladder tissue.

Absorbable Implants↗

Estrogen release from metallic stent surface for the prevention of restenosis.

For the prevention of coronary restenosis, estrogen was coupled onto a metallic stent and in vitro release of estrogen was investigated. Estrogen was introduced to the metal surface using a hydrolysable covalent bond for local sustained delivery of drug as follows: (i) the stainless steel (SS) surface was activated with silane by plasma polymerization, (ii) the activated surface (SS-Si surface) was treated with acrylic acid by plasma polymerization (SS-Si-AAc surface), and (iii) 17beta-estradiol (E2) was covalently linked to the carboxyl group on that surface (SS-Si-AAc-E2 surface). The modified surfaces were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and water contact angle measurement. The amount of E2 was measured by UV-visible spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The in vitro release profile of E2 demonstrated sustained release of E2 in aqueous buffer. In summary, a novel method of immobilizing estrogen onto a metallic stent surface using plasma polymerization has been developed. The obtained results attest to the usefulness of the estrogen-releasing stent for preventing restenosis.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

In vitro biocompatibility assessment of sulfonated polyrotaxane-immobilized polyurethane surfaces.

Sulfonated polyrotaxanes (PRx-SO(3)'s), in which sulfonated alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) were threaded onto the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments in a PEG-b-poly(propylene glycol) (PPG)-b-PEG triblock copolymer (Pluronic) capped with benzyloxycarbonyl (Z)-L-phenylalanine (Z-L-Phe), were prepared as a novel surface-modifying biomaterial. Surface modification of the polyurethane (PU) was carried out by blending the PRx-SO(3)'s with a PU solution, followed by solution casting. The incorporated PRx-SO(3)'s led to the enhanced hydrophilicity by changing the surface properties of the PU matrix. Modified PUs showed the stable entrapment of the PRx-SO(3)'s with little extraction into water and enhanced mechanical properties after exposure to water compared to the PU control. The incorporated PRx-SO(3)'s repelled the proteins and kept them from closely approaching the surface areas, prevented platelet activation by thrombin, and effectively repelled bacteria. These results suggest that both the supramolecular structure of the polyrotaxanes and exposure of the sulfonated groups onto the surfaces contribute to these phenomena. Thus, surface modification with PRx-SO(3)'s is suggested to be useful for the fabrication of biocompatible medical devices.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Enhanced blood compatibility of polymers grafted by sulfonated PEO via a negative cilia concept.

In our laboratory sulfonated PEO (PEO-SO(3)) was designed as a "negative cilia model" to investigate a synergistic effect of PEO and negatively charged SO(3) groups. PEO-SO(3) itself exhibited a heparin-like anticoagulant activity of 14% of free heparin. Polyurethane grafted with PEO-SO(3) (PU-PEO-SO(3)) increased the albumin adsorption to a great extent but suppressed other proteins, while PU-PEO decreased the adsorption of all the proteins. The platelet adhesion was decreased on PU-PEO but least on PU-PEO-SO(3) to demonstrate an additional effect of SO(3) groups. The enhanced blood compatibility of PU-PEO-SO(3) in the ex vivo rabbit and in vivo canine implanting tests was confirmed. Furthermore, PU-PEO-SO(3) exhibited an improved biostability and suppressed calcification in addition to the enhanced antithrombogenicity. The in vivo antithrombogenicity and biostability were improved in the order of PU PU-PEO>PU-PEO-SO(3) in spite of the possible attraction between negative SO(3) groups and positive calcium ions. The bioprosthetic tissue (BT) was grafted with H(2)N-PEO-SO(3) via glutaraldehyde (GA) residues after conventional GA fixation. BT-PEO-SO(3) also displayed the decreased calcification by in vivo animal models. The application of PEO-SO(3) was extended by designing amphiphilic copolymers containing PEO-SO(3) moiety and hydrophobic long alkyl groups as anchors. The superior effect of PEO-SO(3) groups on thromboresistance compared to PEO was confirmed also in the case of copolymers coated or blended with other polymers and the systems coupled by UV irradiation, photoreaction or gold/sulfur or silane coupling technology, and therefore it might be very useful for the medical devices.

Adsorption↗

A novel chemical modification of bioprosthetic tissues using L-arginine.

A novel chemical modification of biological tissues was developed by the direct coupling of bioactive molecule, L-arginine to bovine pericardium (BP). The modification involves pretreatment of BP using GA and followed by grafting arginine to BP by the reaction of residual aldehyde and amine group of L-arginine. BP was modified by direct coupling of bioactive molecules and the effect of L-arginine coupling on calcification and biocompatibility was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Modified BPs were characterized by measuring shrinkage temperature, mechanical properties, digestion resistance to collagenase enzyme, in vitro plasma protein adsorption and platelet adhesion, and in vivo calcification. Thermal and mechanical properties showed that the durability of arginine treated tissue increased as compared with fresh tissue and GA treated tissue. Resistance to collagenase digestion revealed that modified tissues have greater resistance to enzyme digestion than did fresh tissue and GA treated tissue. Lower protein adsorption and platelet adhesion were observed on modified tissue than non-modified tissue. In vivo calcification study demonstrated much less calcium deposition on arginine treated BP than GA treated one. Obtained results attest to the usefulness of L-arginine treated BP for cardiovascular bioprostheses.

Animals↗

A study of compatibility between cells and biopolymeric surfaces through quantitative measurements of adhesive forces.

The mechanism of cell adhesion to biomaterials or components of the extracellular matrix is an important topic in the field of tissue engineering and related biotechnological processes. Many factors affect cell adhesion, and many biochemical and biological studies have attempted to identify their roles in the adhesion mechanism. Systematic studies of this nature require quantification of the adhesive force of a cell to identify the effect of a specific factor. However, most studies of cell adhesive force have used qualitative approaches. We propose a new technique for quantifying the force by which cells adhere to various biomaterial surfaces, which utilizes the relationship between the deflection of a cantilever beam and the required force. A micropipette was used as the cantilever beam. This technique was used to measure the attachment forces of chondrocytes seeded on three different biodegradable polymers commonly used in tissue engineering and medicine: poly epsilon-carprolactone (PCL), poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PGLA, L/G = 75:25). The bond between the cells and the three polymers was evaluated using the quantified adhesive forces. The adhesive forces were also measured 8, 12, 24 h and 5 days after seeding the chondrocytes on the polymer surfaces. Results of statistical analysis showed that the cells attached to the PLLA had the strongest average attachment force for up to 24 h after seeding (P < 0.05).

Animals↗

Anticoagulant activity of sulfonated polyrotaxanes as blood-compatible materials.

Polyrotaxanes, in which alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) are threaded onto poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(propylene glycol)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) triblock copolymers (Pluronic) capped with benzyloxycarbonyl(Z)-L-phenylalanine (Z-L-Phe), were prepared, and sulfopropyl groups were introduced to hydroxyl groups of alpha-CDs in the polyrotaxanes. The supramolecular structure and the chemical composition of the polyrotaxanes after the sulfonation were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and elemental analysis. Anticoagulant activity of the polyrotaxanes and sulfonated polyrotaxanes was measured by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). It was found that the polyrotaxanes and the sulfonated polyrotaxanes showed greater anticoagulant activity than Pluronic itself, suggesting that both the supramolecular structure of the polyrotaxanes and the sulfonated groups contribute to the inhibition of intrinsic coagulation factors. Finally, our designed polyrotaxanes are suggested to be a promising candidate when fabricating blood-compatible medical devices by blending with or coating on clinically used polymers.

Anticoagulants↗

Fibroblast adhesion and proliferation on poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels crosslinked by hydrolyzable polyrotaxane.

Fibroblast culture was performed to evaluate cell adhesion and proliferation on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels crosslinked by a hydrolyzable polyrotaxane. The polyrotaxane consisting of alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) and PEG terminated by benzyloxycarbonyl (Z)-L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) via ester linkage was used as a multi-functional crosslinker in the PEG hydrogels. From the results of contact angle and small angle light scattering measurements, it was suggested that the surface and bulk structure of the PEG hydrogels were heterogeneous. Fibroblast adhesion and proliferation on the hydrogels was observed. The number of fibroblast adhesion on the hydrogels crosslinked by the polyrotaxane was proportional to contact angle values and correlation length, and was significantly higher than those crosslinked by alpha-CDs in spite of similar contact angle and correlation length. These findings suggest that the cells recognize the surface heterogeneity due to the polyrotaxane structure, and the number of cell adhesion and proliferation is controllable by the polyrotaxane content in feed.

3T3 Cells↗

Improved blood compatibility and decreased VSMC proliferation of surface-modified metal grafted with sulfonated PEG or heparin.

Although the technique of coronary stenting has remarkably improved long-term results in recent years, (sub)acute thrombosis and late restenosis still remain problems to be solved. Metallic surfaces were regarded as thrombogenic, due to their positive surface charges, and stenosis resulted from the activation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In this study, a unique surface modification method for metallic surfaces was studied using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique. The method included the deposition of thin gold layers, the chemisorption of disulfides containing functional groups, and the subsequent coupling of PEG derivatives or heparin utilizing the functional groups of the disulfides. All the reactions were confirmed by ATR-FTIR and XPS. The surface modified with sulfonated PEG (Au-S-PEG-SO3) or heparinized PEG (Au-S-PEG-Hep) exhibited decreased static contact angles and therefore increased hydrophilicity to a great extent, which resulted from the coupling of PEG and the ionic groups attached. In vitro fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion onto the Au-S-PEG-SO3 or Au-S-PEG-Hep surfaces decreased to a great extent, indicating enhanced blood compatibility. This decreased interaction of the modified surfaces should be attributed to the non-adhesive property of PEG and the synergistic effect of sulfonated PEG. The effect of the surface modification on the adhesion and proliferation of VSMCs was also investigated. The modified Au-S-PEG-SO3 or Au-S-PEG-Hep surfaces also exhibited decreased adhesion of VSMCs, while the deposited gold layer itself was effective. The enhanced blood compatibility and the decreased adhesion of VSMCs on the modified metallic surfaces may help to decrease thrombus formation and suppress restenosis. It would therefore be very useful to apply these modified surfaces to stents for improved functions. A long-term in vivo study using animal models is currently under way.

Animals↗

Synthesis and characterization of nitric oxide generative polyrotaxane.

L-Arginine was immobilized into a supramolecular-structured polyrotaxane to examine the generation of nitric oxide, with a view to improving antithrombosis and the blood compatibility of polymeric biomaterials. L-Arginine was immobilized to the hydroxyl groups of alpha-cyclodextrins in the polyrotaxane via an ester linkage, and the nitric oxide generation and L-arginine release behavior were characterized. L-Arginine-immobilized polyrotaxane was insoluble in water, but was found to generate nitric oxide when placed in Tris-HCI buffer supplemented with activators. L-Arginine-immobilized polyrotaxane exhibited sustained nitric oxide generation for a period of 250 h. L-Arginine was completely released by non-enzymatic hydrolysis from 200 h to 700 h, with a lag-time for the first 200 h. Consequently, after the generation of nitric oxide and the release of L-arginine from the L-arginine-immobilized polyrotaxane, the residual component will be a polyrotaxane with superior biocompatibility and mechanical properties. These results suggest that L-arginine-immobilized polyrotaxane can be useful in a wide range of medical applications, including use as a nitric oxide generative system for antithrombosis, coating and blending materials of hydrophobic extracorporeal circuits, and implantable catheters.

Arginine↗

Heparin conjugated polylactide as a blood compatible material.

A heparin-conjugated biodegradable polymer (PLA-heparin) by the direct coupling of heparin to polylactide (PLA) was synthesized and characterized. The surface exposed heparin content associated PLA-heparin was measured to be 0.067 microg/cm2. PLA-heparin coated surface has shown higher hydrophilicity rather than control PLA surface. The clotting time of PLA-heparin conjugate measured by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was significantly prolonged as compared to PLA. The bioactivity of bound heparin measured by APTT corresponds to 17.4% of free heparin. It has been also demonstrated that the conjugation of heparin suppresses the protein adsorption as well as the platelet adhesion. These results indicate that the unique property of bound heparin has an inhibiting influence on the coagulation, plasma protein adsorption, and subsequent platelet adhesion systems. This novel PLA-heparin conjugate could be applied as blood/tissue compatible biodegradable materials for implantable medical devices and tissue engineering.

Biocompatible Materials↗