In vitro study of a novel polymeric mesenchymal stem-cell coated membrane

The objective of the study was to develop and study in vitro polymeric membrane that enables adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells on its surface. We screened several membrane formulations with varying plasticizer types and concentrations for their ability to support MSC adherence and growth. To that end, MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow, and cell adherence to membrane, cell-membrane interaction and cell morphology were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescent microscopy. MSCs adhered well to Ammonio Methacrylate copolymer type A (AMCA) membranes prepared with the various plasticizers and revealed spindle monolayer shape with podia, similar to polystyrene dishes. MSCs proliferated and differentiated only on AMCA membrane with polyethyleneglycol 400 (PEG400) as plasticizer. Furthermore, the membrane surfaces were characterized using SEM and their porosity was measured. These data confirm that MSCs maintain their stem cell traits after adhesion to membrane.