Ethanol treatment alters the ultrastructure and permeability of PAN-PVC hollow fiber cell encapsulation membranes

Using membrane transport characterization and imaging analysis, we describe a series of studies that indicate that ethanol exposure permanently alters the ultrastructural morphology and the transport properties of FAN-PVC hol low fiber membranes (HFM). In particular, hydropermeability and solute diff usive permeability of ethanol treated sample groups displayed significant i ncreases when compared to that of the untreated controls. Atomic force micr oscopic analysis revealed significant changes in the morphology of the perm selective layer following HFM exposure to ethanol. The results call into qu estion the mechanism by which cell encapsulation HFM confer immune protecti on when utilized in various transplantation sites in vivo. (C) 2002 Publish ed by Elsevier Science B.V.