Poly(ε-caprolactone) films as a potential substrate for tissue engineering an epidermal equivalent

A preliminary cell culture study of human keratinocytes (HK) on solvent-cast and biaxially stretched poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) films was carried out. Cell attachment and proliferation on solvent-cast films was compared with commercially available wound dressings while cell attachment, proliferation and viability on biaxially stretched films were assessed using light, confocal laser and scanning electron microscopy (CLM and SEM). Solvent-cast sheets were biaxially stretched to produce 5-15-mum-thick films. Biaxially stretched films were shown to be better epidermal substrates due to the better flexibility and strength to mass ratio than solvent-cast sheets. Images obtained showed that the cells attached and proliferated on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films, and maintained high percentage of viability throughout the culture period. Keratinocytes exhibited healthy cobblestone morphology and proliferated as continuous monolayers. These results indicated that poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films would support the attachment and proliferation of human keratinocytes and have the potential to be applied as a matrix material for tissue engineering an epidermal equivalent. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.