BACKGROUND:

Within the last years the investigation of cellulosic materials got into the focus of biomaterial research due to biocompatibility, sustainability, ubiquitous deposits and the potential of simple modification. Thereby this material is an ideal candidate to tailor material properties as charge, swelling, hydrophilicity and elasticity to clinical demands.

OBJECTIVE:

In this study a cellulose-based material was functionalized using plasma and gas (O₂, N₂, silane).

METHODS:

The effect of material modification on two cell lines using different animal species was investigated using indirect and direct cytotoxicity analysis. The following parameters were investigated: number of adherent cells, cell viability, metabolic activity, cell membrane integrity and morphology.

RESULTS:

Pristine and functionalized material eluates did not harm L929 cells and could be classified as non-cytotoxic according to DIN-EN-ISO 10993. A direct seeding of CHO-cells onto material surfaces showed a similar result. None of the conducted modifications had a negative effect on CHO-cells. Interestingly, parameters investigated during the study were positively influenced after material functionalization. In special, the treatment of cellulose with silane improved cell viability, metabolic activity, cellular adherence and cell membrane integrity significantly.

CONCLUSIONS:

Within this study the potential of cellulose-based material functionalization with tailorable effects on different cell lines was proven. This indicates that all investigated medical grade sponge materials are promising polymers for applications in clinical routine.