Production of artificial-orientated mats and strands from plasma fibronectin: a morphological study

O. S. Ejim, G. W. Blunn, R. A. Brown

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Fibronectin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein involved in wound healing. Techniques have been developed for the preparation of orientated fibronectin mats from plasma fibronectin, for use in wound healing and tissue repair. Formation of strands and mats is by self-association and aggregation of fibronectin from solution under a directional shear force. Incorporation of heparin with fibronectin modified the mats. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the mats were composed of well-orientated fibrous fibronectin, with a network of internal interconnecting pores. Single strands of fibronectin were prepared for use as a tissue culture model of cell interaction with aggregated orientated fibronectin mats. Rat tail tendon and human skin fibroblasts were used for assessment of cell interaction with both single strands of fibronectin and mats. Fibroblasts rapidly attached to single strands and became orientated. Dense cultures of fibroblasts growing over single strands became orientated, according to the orientation of the underlying fibronectin. Fibroblasts readily grew on the surface of fibronectin mats and were observed within the porous network.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)743-748
    Number of pages6
    JournalBiomaterials
    Volume14
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 1993

    Keywords

    • Animals
    • Cell Division
    • Cells, Cultured
    • Fibroblasts
    • Fibronectins
    • Heparin
    • Humans
    • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
    • Rats
    • Skin
    • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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