Surface functionalization of polypropylene (PP) by chitosan immobilization to enhance human fibroblasts viability

Abstract

Driven by the market demand, several synthetic and natural grafts have been proposed during the last years for tendons regeneration. The synthetic grafts, which present a better mechanical performance than the natural ones, usually fail due to the lack of biocompatibility and bioactivity. Thus, chitosan (Cs) was immobilized on polypropylene (PP) surface, previously activated by plasma treatment, in order to improve the fibroblasts' adhesion and proliferation on it. The Orange II dye method and FTIR-ATR analysis proved the successful Cs immobilization on the PP surface. It was observed by SEM and optical profilometry analysis that the Cs concentration increase leads to a surface roughness (R-a value) increase, as well as to water contact angle (C.A.) decrease at least until 2% (w/V) of Cs. Using the 2% (V/V) Cs solution concentration, according to SEM analysis and resazurin assay, the developed functionalization was well succeeded in improving fibroblasts adhesion and proliferation on PP substrates surface over 7 days of culture.