In vitro biocompatibility of surface-modified poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds with hydrophilic monomers

Previously, polyacrylic acid (PAAc)- and polyacrylamide (PAAm)-grafted poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acids) (PLGAs) were prepared as scaffold materials for tissue engineering applications. Surfaces modified with hydrophilic monomers exhibited improved wettability to the culture medium as well as the possibility to allow further modification and functionalization of the PLGA surface for enhanced cell attachment and proliferation. As a continuation study, biocompatibility profiles of these PLGAs were investigated in vitro, using a series of cytotoxicity tests, and compared with those of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyurethane (PU). The surface-modified PLGAs had a negligible toxic influence in all cell culture tests, which was attributed to the hydrophilic nature and low interfacial free energy of PAAc and PAAm to the cell culture medium.