OSTEOBLAST RESPONSES TO COLLAGEN-PVA BIOARTIFICIAL POLYMERS IN-VITRO - THE EFFECTS OF CROSS-LINKING METHOD AND COLLAGEN CONTENT

A range of 'bioartificial' collagen/poly(vinyl alcohol) blends have be en produced, cast as films and cross-linked using either glutaraldehyd e or a dehydrothermal treatment (DHT). Films were used as substrates f or the culture of osteoblast-like cells. The attachment, adhesion and proliferative responses of these cells to the range of films were exam ined using proliferation assays, light, electron and confocal microsco py. There was an inverse relationship between collagen content of glua taraldehyde cross-linked films and the extent of cell proliferation on them. A cytotoxicity assay demonstrated no toxic effect related to in creasing collagen content. The greatest differences in cell responses observed were associated with the choice of cross-linking method. Film s cross-linked with glutaraldehyde showed variation related to collage n content in cell adhesion, proliferation and morphology. Such differe nces were not apparent with the DHT cross-linked films. Collagen/PVA ' bioartificial' films can be dehydrothermally cross-linked to increase biological stability and reduce water solubility. The method of cross- linking employed is the greater influence in determining osteoblast co mpatibility with these materials. The DHT cross-linking method is a pr eferable alternative to the use of glutaraldehyde. Collagen/PVA bioart ificial films cross-linked by the DHT method have shown potential for biocompatibility with osteoblasts. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.