Replication of intestinal basement membrane using chemical vapor deposition of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate): Film degradation and biocompatibility

It is recognized that topographical features such as ridges and grooves can dramatically influence cell phenotype, motivating the development of substrates with precisely biomimetic topography for study of the influence on cultured cells. Intestinal basement membrane topography has been precisely replicated using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) on native tissue. To test the suitability of CVD pHEMA as a cell culture substrate, biocompatibility and degradation properties were assessed. CVD pHEMA require cross-linking with EGDA for maintenance of film integrity over 21 days in an aqueous medium. Cells maintained a high (>90%) viability on CVD pHEMA. Cell attachment and proliferation on CVD pHEMA was similar to that observed on polystyrene.