Abstract:
Polycaprolactone (PCL) polymers which illustrate both biocompatibility and resorbability for
replacement or bulking of damaged or diseased tissue are important in tissue engineering. Cytocompatibilty
of these polymers was assessed on two-dimensional PCL disks and threedimensional
PCL solid and PCL hollow microspheres using human uterine mixed leiomyosarcoma
(SKUT-1) and hamster ductus deferens leiomyosarcoma (CRL-1701) cell lines. Possible
PCL cytotoxicity and morphology were investigated in SKUT- and CRL-1701 cells. SKUT
cells cultured in disk and microsphere extracts between 24 h and 5 day time periods displayed
statistically increased metabolic activity, though activity decreased significantly on 1 month
and 1 year extracts. However, the metabolic activity of CRL-1701 cells was similar to controls.
Activity increased significantly on the 1 month extracts and decreased significantly on the 1
year extracts. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated increased cell density of cells attached
to pre-conditioned disks. After 5 days, cells were spindle-shaped, following microspheres contours
indicating high focal adhesion. Both cell lines migrated inside the hollow microspheres,
indicating that they benefit from the sheltered environment. This in vitro study suggests that
hollow microspheres allow for further cell expansion with a sheltered environment to protect
cells from sheer stress experienced in vivo.
