Effect of the surface orientation of resorbable polymeric membranes on the attachment and growth of fibroblasts

Microporous polylactide membranes were hot-drawn to different draw ratios to produce surfaces of well defined highly oriented texture. The growth of fibroblasts on these surfaces was studied. The fibroblasts grown on all three types of surfaces showed a typical morphology as estimated from the fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. While the cells growing on the smooth surfaces formed typical foci, the cell growth on both porous and porous-oriented surfaces was more homogeneous. The fibroblasts grown on the oriented surfaces were highly elongated in the membrane drawing direction. These fibroblasts followed the elongated pore edges and communicated with each other at the edges connection areas.