Polypeptide resurfacing method improves fibroblast's adhesion to hyaluronan strands

Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan, HyA) is a matrix component that takes part in cell adhesion and growth in normal and repaired tissues. Since it is solubl e in water, HyA has been of limited use in tissue engineering of artificial matrices. Recent studies demonstrate that polypeptides hale the twin advan tages of reducing solubility of HyA and improving cellular attachment via c ell surface adhesion molecule receptors. This paper describes a new approac h of using a polypeptide resurfacing method to enhance the attachment of ce lls to HyA strands. HyA strands were crosslinked by glutaraldehyde and then resurfaced with poly-D-lysine, poly-L-lysine, glycine, or glutamine. After inoculation with fibroblasts in vitro, modified HyA was evaluated with his tological and immunohistochemical staining methods for cell adhesion and pr oliferation. Modified HyA with fibroblast cells also were implanted in vivo . The results show that (1) both polylysines enhanced fibroblast adhesion t o crosslinked HyA strands; (2) HyA strands were able to be crosslinked well by 3 days of treatment in glutaraldehyde, and as a biomaterial they could resist biodegradation; (3) modified HS A has good biocompatibility, both in vitro and ill vivo. The results demonstrate that HyA material resurfaced b y polypeptides has positive advantages for cellular adhesion. Resurfaced Hy A has much potential as an improved biomaterial for clinical usage. (C) 199 9 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.