The different behaviors of skeletal muscle cells and chondrocytes on PEGT/PBT block copolymers are related to the surface properties of the substrate

The attachment proliferation, morphology, and differentiation of two cell t ypes-skeletal muscle cells and chondrocytes-were investigated on different compositions of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(butylene terephthalate) segm ented block copolymers. Four weight percentages (40, 55, 60, and 70%) and t wo different molecular weights (300 and 1000 Da) of poly(ethylene glycol) w ere tested. Varying the weight percentage and molecular weight of poly(ethy lene glycol) resulted in different behaviors for skeletal muscle cells and chondrocytes. The attachment of skeletal muscle was the highest (similar to tissue culture polystyrene) when copolymers containing 55 wt % of poly(eth ylene glycol) were used, regardless of the poly(ethylene glycol) molecular weight. Maximum proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells was achieved when copolymers containing 55 wt % and 300 Da molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol) were used. In contrast, the weight percentage and molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol) had no significant effect on cho ndrocyte attachment and proliferation; the attached chondrocytes retained a differentiated phenotype only when a 70 wt % of poly(ethylene glycol) was used. Cell behavior was correlated with the surface properties of the copol ymer films, as indicated by contact-angle measurements. These results sugge st that an optimized wt % and molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol) wil l be useful depending on the specific cell type. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons , Inc.