Attachment of MG-63 cells on RGDS-immobilized asymmetric polycaprolactone membrane

Objectives: The major aim of the present work was to fabricate porous PCL membranes with an asymmetric structure, with pores on one side small enough to prevent the apical downgrowth of gingival epithelium, and with pores on the other side large enough to promote the ingrowth of bone regenerative cells. Methods: PCL membranes with such an asymmetric structure were fabricated with the wet inversion method, and the pore size was adjusted by varying the temperature in the coagulation bath. In addition to the control of membrane morphology, plasma grafting with Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) was conducted to promote cell attachment and growth on PCL. The osteoblastlike cells (MG-63) were cultured to evaluate the effect of RGDS modification. Results: The results from scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed that the RGDS grafting could promote the attachment and growth of MG-63 cells on PCL. Such an effect was clearly observed in the first 4 days after cell seeding, but no prominent difference could be found after 6 days for PCL membranes with and without RGDS grafting. Conclusion: The prepared asymmetric PCL membranes would be suitable for application to guided tissue regeneration, especially after grafting RGDS to them.