Decreased lung carcinoma cell density on select polymer nanometer surface features for lung replacement therapies

PLGA (poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid) has been widely used as a biomaterial in regenerative medicine due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. The purpose of the present in vitro research was to prepare PLGA films with various nanometer surface features and determine whether lung cancer epithelial cells respond differently to such topographies. Different size polystyrene beads were used to cast poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) molds which were used as templates to create nano-featured PLGA films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images and root mean square (RMS) roughness values indicated that the intended spherical surface nano-topographies on PLGA were formed. A solution evaporation method was also utilized to modify PLGA surface features by using 8 wt% and 4% chloroform solutions. Most importantly, lung cancer epithelial cells adhered less on the PLGA surfaces with RMS values of 0.62, 2.23 and 5.42 nm after 4 hours of culture compared to any other PLGA surface created here. After 3 days, PLGA surfaces with an RMS value of 0.62 nm had much lower cell density than any other sample. In this manner, PLGA with specific nanometer surface features may inhibit lung cancer cell density, providing an important biomaterial for the treatment of lung cancer with wide range of applications.