Attachment of fibronectin to poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels promotes NIH3T3 cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration

TLDR

Hydrogels are widely used in biology and medicine because their high water content and tissue‑like elasticity mimic native extracellular matrix. The study examined whether a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel modified with fibronectin could serve as a tissue‑engineering biomaterial. Researchers assessed NIH3T3 fibroblast attachment to unmodified and fibronectin‑coated PVA hydrogels. While native PVA’s hydrophilicity prevents protein adsorption and cell adhesion, covalent fibronectin attachment markedly enhanced fibroblast attachment, proliferation, and two‑dimensional migration, indicating its promise for tissue engineering. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., J Biomed Mater Res 57:217–223.

Abstract

Hydrogels have been used in biology and medicine for many years, and they possess many properties that make them advantageous for tissue engineering applications. Their high water content and tissue-like elasticity are similar to the native extracellular matrix of many tissues. In this work, we investigated the potential of a modified poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel as a biomaterial for tissue engineering applications. First, the ability of NIH3T3 fibroblast cells to attach to PVA hydrogels was evaluated. Because of PVA's extremely hydrophilic nature, important cell adhesion proteins do not adsorb to PVA hydrogels, and consequently, cells are unable to adhere to the hydrogel. By covalently attaching the important cell adhesion protein fibronectin onto the PVA hydrogel surface, the rate of fibroblast attachment and proliferation was dramatically improved, and promoted two-dimensional cell migration. These studies illustrate that a fibronectin-modified PVA hydrogel is a potential biomaterial for tissue engineering applications. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 57: 217–223, 2001