Novel micropatterns mechanically control fibrotic reactions at the surface of silicone implants.

Over the past decade, various implantable devices have been developed to treat diseases that were previously difficult to manage such diabetes, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, translation of these novel technologies into clinical practice is often difficult because fibrotic encapsulation and/or rejection impairs device function after body implantation. Ideally, cells of the host tissue should perceive the surface of the implant being similar to the normal extracellular matrix.

Dynamic expansion culture for mesenchymal stem cells.

To be applied in sufficient numbers for regenerative medicine, primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) need to be amplified in culture. Standard cell culture involves regular passing because MSC proliferation in size-limited culture vessels stagnates due to contact inhibition of growth. The use of harmful enzymes for passaging and the mechanical properties of standard culture vessels change the MSC phenotype.

The covalent attachment of adhesion molecules to silicone membranes for cell stretching applications.

Strain devices with expandable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) culture membranes are frequently used to stretch cells in vitro, mimicking mechanically dynamic tissue environments. To immobilize cell-adhesive molecules to the otherwise non-adhesive PDMS substrate, hydrophobic, electrostatic and covalent surface coating procedures have been developed. The efficacy of different coating strategies to transmit stretches to cells however is poorly documented and has not been compared.

A novel method of dynamic culture surface expansion improves mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and phenotype.

Repeated passaging in conventional cell culture reduces pluripotency and proliferation capacity of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). We introduce an innovative cell culture method whereby the culture surface is dynamically enlarged during cell proliferation. This approach maintains constantly high cell density while preventing contact inhibition of growth.