Growth of human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the terpolyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate).

As a new member of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family, the terpolyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBVHHx) was evaluated for its biocompatibility for human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs). More WJ-MSC adhesion and proliferation were observed on PHBVHHx film compared with films made of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx). Higher DNA synthesis by WJ-MSCs was detected on PHBVHHx film than on PLA, PHBV and PHBHHx films. PHBVHHx film had a rougher surface and more adsorption of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including collagen I, fibronectin and vitronectin, compared with PLA, PHBV and PHBHHx films. PHBVHHx film was also more hydrophobic than PLA and PHBV. These results demonstrated that PHBVHHx could be a promising biomaterial in medical implant applications for supporting the growth of cells, including WJ-MSCs.