Biocompatibility and structural stability of a laminin biopolymer.

Polylaminin (polyLM) is a polymerized form of the extracellular matrix protein laminin obtained upon pH acidification. Here microscopy and spectroscopic tools are used to study the cell compatibility and the structural stability of polyLM, aiming at establishing its robustness as a biopolymer for therapeutic use. PolyLM is cell compatible as judged by the efficiency of attachment and neuritogenesis. It is resistant to low temperature. Addition of urea or an increase in hydrostatic pressure leads to polymer disassembly. PolyLM biofilms remain stable for 48 h in contact with cell culture medium. The sedimented polymer recovered after centrifugation and adsorbed on a glass coverslip preserved its original structure and its biological properties.