Fibroblast seeding and culture in biodegradable porous substrates.

A natural poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-9% hydroxyvalerate) copolyester was processed into a three-dimensional porous foam structure by salt leaching/solvent casting with previously sieved sodium chloride salts. Laboratory-built P(HB-9% HV) foams and commercial collagen sponges were cut into small rectangular specimens, sterilized, and prewetted using ethanol, rinsed with Dulbecco's minimum essential medium + 10% serum culture media, and seeded with fibroblasts isolated from canine anterior cruciate ligaments. The fibroblast cultures into such porous substrates were performed from 0 to 35 days by incubation (5% CO2) at 37 degrees C. It demonstrated that the P(HB-HV) sustained a cell proliferation rate similar to that observed in collagen sponges, up to at least 35 days, with a maximal cell density on the day 28 in culture. On the other hand, the P(HB-HV) materials kept their structural integrity during the culture period while the collagen foams contracted greatly. Further, the total protein production after 4 weeks in culture was found to be twice as high (190 +/- 10%) in the P(HB-9% HV) foam than in the collagen foam. Porous P(HB-HV) materials appear to be adequate polymeric substrates for cell cultures. However, further evaluations are still required to confirm such preliminary results.