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Catalytic Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable ...

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Chapter 1<br />

1.5.2.1 Tissue engineering applications<br />

The electroactive polymer, being electrical stimulus responsive, has become the focus <strong>of</strong><br />

research after the demonstration that electrical signals can regulate cell attachment,<br />

proliferation <strong>and</strong> differentiation. 96 Lots <strong>of</strong> efforts had been made to use the electroactive<br />

polymers to regulate the proliferation <strong>and</strong> differentiation <strong>of</strong> cells. And they had been widely<br />

used in biological systems due to the key advantage <strong>of</strong> facile control <strong>of</strong> the intensity <strong>and</strong><br />

duration <strong>of</strong> stimulation.<br />

PPy was one <strong>of</strong> the first electroactive polymers studied for its effect on cells. And it has<br />

been demonstrated to support adhesion <strong>and</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> different cell types. The<br />

investigation <strong>of</strong> biocompatibility <strong>of</strong> PPy was just the first step. Its most attractive property is<br />

electroactivity.<br />

Figure 1.5.3 Photomicrograph <strong>of</strong> endothelial cells cultured on fibronectin-coated PPy doped with<br />

p-toluene sulfonate (PPyTS) for 4 h: (A) PPy in native oxidized state <strong>and</strong> (B) PPyTs reduced by<br />

application <strong>of</strong> -0.5V for 4 h(Magnify: ×700). 116<br />

Some reports have shown the possibility <strong>of</strong> using PPy to modulate cellular response via<br />

electrical stimulation. Wong et al. assessed the suitability <strong>of</strong> electroactive polymers for<br />

sustaining cell growth <strong>and</strong> controlling cell function. 116 In their study, aortic endothelial cells<br />

were cultured on fibronectin (FN)-coated PPy films which were in different oxidation state<br />

(Figure 1.5.3). It was found that neutral state PPy caused cell rounding <strong>and</strong> a concomitant<br />

drop (~98%) in DNA synthesis, <strong>and</strong> the oxidation <strong>of</strong> PPy resulted in cell spreading.<br />

Interestingly, cell viability (>90%) <strong>and</strong> adhesion were very good on both oxidized <strong>and</strong> neutral<br />

PPy despite the change in cellular morphology. Schmidt et al. have also made great<br />

‐ 22 ‐

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