Study On Growth Of Human Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells On Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)

As a new member of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) family, the terpolyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), abbreviated as PHBVHHx, was evaluated for its biocompatibility for human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs). CCK-8 assay showed that more WJ-MSC adhesion and proliferation were observed on PHBVHHx film compared with these on films made of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx). 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay demonstrated that higher DNA synthesis by WJ-MSCs was detected on PHBVHHx film than that on PLA, PHBV and PHBHHx films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that PHBVHHx film had rougher surface containing larger protuberances. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed the same result. PHBVHHx had higher water contact angle than PLA, PHBV, PHBHHx, indicating that PHBVHHx was more hydrophobic. Extracellular protein adsorbing study using indirect ELISA proved that more adsorption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including collagen I, fibronectin and vitronectin compared with these on PLA, PHBV and PHBHHx films. These results demonstrated that PHBVHHx could be a promising biomaterial in medical implant applications for supporting the growth of cells including WJ-MSCs.