Microporous Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Membranes Fabricated by Polyethylene Glycol Solvent-Cast/Particulate Leaching Technique

作者：Selvam Shivaram; Chang Wenji V; Nakamura Tamako; Samant Deedar M; Thomas Padmaja B; Trousdale Melvin D; Mircheff Austin K; Schechter Joel E; Yiu Samuel C^*

来源：Tissue Engineering - Part C: Methods , 2009, 15(3): 463-474.

DOI：10.1089/ten.tec.2008.0431

With the eventual goal of developing a tissue-engineered tear secretory system, we found that primary lacrimal gland acinar cells grown on solid poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) supports expressed the best histiotypic morphology. However, to be able to perform vectorial transport functions, epithelia must be supported by a permeable substratum. In the present study, we describe the use of a solvent-cast/particulate leaching technique to fabricate microporous PLLA membranes (mpPLLAm) from PLLA/polyethylene glycol blends. Scanning electron microscopy revealed pores on both the air-cured (similar to 4 mu m) and glass-cured sides (<2 mu m) of the mpPLLAm. Diffusion studies were performed with mpPLLAm fabricated from 57.1% PLLA/42.9% polyethylene glycol blends to confirm the presence of channelized pores. The data reveal that glucose, L-tryptophan, and dextran (a high molecular weight glucose polymer) readily permeate mpPLLAm. Diffusion of the immunoglobulin G through the mpPLLAm decreased with time, suggesting the possible adsorption and occlusion of the pores. Cells cultured on the mpPLLAm (57.1/42.9 wt%) grew to subconfluent monolayers but retained histiotypic morphological and physiological characteristics of lacrimal acinar cells in vivo. Our results suggest that mpPLLAm fabricated using this technique may be useful as a scaffold for a bioartificial lacrimal gland device.

• 出版日期2009-9