SUPPRESSION OF INFLAMMATORY REACTIONS ON MPC POLYMER SURFACES - Intelligent Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - page 380

hydrogel were re-seeded on the TCPS. Figure 19.11 also shows
phase-contrast microscope images of the cells recovered and cul-
tured on the TCPS. Every cell quickly adhered and proliferated after
seedingontheTCPS.Itisconsideredthattheviabilityofthecellswas
maintainedeventhoughtheywereinthePMBV/PVAhydrogelforsix
days. When the cells were seeded in/on conventional 3D matrices
madefromPLAorPGA,thecellsbarelypenetratedintothematrices
becauseofthehydrophobicityofthesepolymers,evenifthemateri-
als have a pore structure. In addition, these 3D matrices were pas-
sively degraded by hydrolysis with time under physiological con-
ditions. In contrast, the PMBV/PVA hydrogel could homogeneously
disperse the cells inside the hydrogel and recover them by the addi-
tion of natural chemical compounds such as D-glucose in a shorter
period. The cells encapsulated in the PMBV/PVA hydrogel maintain
their morphology when they are in suspension with the cell culture
medium.Whenrecoveredfromthehydrogel,thecellsdemonstrated
good adhesion to the solid substitute and proliferation on the sur-
face. The cell container provides a mild and suitable environment
for cells just like a cell suspension. 63 Treatment of the cells is made
mucheasierbysolidificationwiththePMBV/PVAhydrogel.Thecells
could also be recovered from the hydrogel at any time.
19.6 Conclusion
It was demonstrated that the MPC polymer did not induce inflam-
matory responses of cultivated cells and subcutaneous tissue. This
phenomenon may be caused by the surface property of MPC poly-
merthatsuppressesbiofouling.ThehydrogelscontainingMPCunits
with high water content could be prepared easily and are useful in
maintainingproteinandcellfunctions.MPCpolymerswillberobust
materials for advanced medical and cell/tissue engineering.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Dr. Tomohiro Konno, the Univer-
sity of Tokyo, and Dr. Shin-ichi Sawada, Tokyo Medical and Dental
University, for their research effortsand valuablecomments.