Evaluation of the adhesion and proliferation processes of cellular in PEDOT-co-PDLLA thin films supported on Au electrodes functionalized with laminin, integrin and fibronectin

Abstract

Functional surface coatings are a key option for many biomedical applications, from polymeric supports for tissue engineering to smart matrices for controlled drugs delivery. Within this scenario, the synthesis of new materials for biological applications and the development of new processes are promising. For this proposal, biocompatible and electroactive polymers are interesting since they allow the study of cell adhesion and proliferation processes, especially when the polymer used has conductive properties. Despite these desirable features, it is well-known that most conductive polymers exhibit low degradability and have considerable cytotoxicity, limiting their applications in biotechnological routines. The PEDOT-co-PDLLA copolymer exhibits the physical-chemistry and mechanical characteristics required by bio-clinic interest, associated with electroactive, biocompatible and biodegradable properties. This copolymer can be applied to adhesion and proliferation cells, especially if functionalized with anchoring proteins (laminin, integrin and fibronectin). The adhesion cells can be subsequently subject electrical stimulated to cellular metabolism and proliferation increasing. The main advantage of using this copolymer is the possibility of eliminating the need for surgical intervention to remove it, as usually happens in some cases with metal implants, since the idea is the copolymer degradation at the same time that the bone tissue regenerates. It is expected the procedure to be developed will be accessible for application of this copolymer with conductive and biodegradable properties to tissue engineering in simple, low cost and routine bio-clinic situations