Impact of structural features of acetylated bacterial cellulose on cell-scaffold and scaffold-blood interactions in vitro

This study aimed to determine the effect of the structural properties of acetylated bacterial cellulose (ABC) on its in vitro biological performance. Acetylation resulted in several improvements to the ABC, including relaxed fiber arrangement, increased optical transparency (95.5%), and enhanced hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and thermal stability. The ABC also demonstrated increased fiber diameter (0.122 +/- 0.034 mu m), pore diameter (333 angstrom), pore volume (0.533 cc/g), and surface area (195 m(2)/ g) as compared to the pristine BC. Phase-contrast and electron microscopy showed that NIH 3T3 cells adhered to and spread on ABC scaffolds in a 3D growth pattern with extended filopodia. WST-1 assay showed improved cell proliferation on ABC scaffolds and led to the downregulation of Notch receptors in NIH 3T3 cells. Confocal microscopy showed infiltration of cells up to 650 mu m into the ABC scaffolds after 14 days. The whole blood clotting assay, plasma recalcification profile, half-maximum absorbance EC50 time (14.55 +/- 1.21 min), and Factor XII activation demonstrated that acetylation reduced the thrombogenicity of the ABC scaffolds. Hemolysis rates were within the permissible level (< 5%), and the scaffolds were able to adsorb platelet-poor plasma and plasma proteins (human serum albumin,gamma-globulin, human fibrinogen). The improved cell adhesion and proliferation, 3D cell growth pattern,hemocompatibility, and protein adsorption indicate a positive impact of acetylation on the biological properties of ABC scaffolds, suggesting their potential use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicines.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of acetylated bacterial cellulose (ABC) on its biological performance. Acetylation improved the structural properties of ABC, resulting in enhanced fiber arrangement, optical transparency, hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and thermal stability. The ABC scaffolds showed improved cell adhesion and proliferation, 3D cell growth pattern, hemocompatibility, and protein adsorption, indicating their potential use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicines.