Nanophase separation has been suggested to influence the biological performance of polyurethanes. Several 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate-based poly(carbonate urethane)s (PCU) that exhibited various degrees of nanophase separation have been synthesized in our previous work, and the promoting effect of nanophase separation on cell adhesion and proliferation has been demonstrated. Among these PCU, two with the most distinct nanophase separation were selected in this work for cell migration studies using a wound-healing model. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were found to migrate much faster and exhibit more intense actin stress fibers in their central region when cultured on the PCU with a greater degree of nanophase separation. These cellular events appeared to be associated with a higher level of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in the cells cultured on the more nanophase-separated material.
Date:
2007
Relation:
Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering. 2007;27(1):15-21.
