1 research outputs found
BiFACIAL (<i>Bi</i>omimetic <i>F</i>reestanding <i>A</i>nisotropic <i>C</i>atechol‑<i>I</i>nterfaces with <i>A</i>symmetrically <i>L</i>ayered) Films as Versatile Extracellular Matrix Substitutes
Biological naïve extracellular
matrices (ECMs) exhibit anisotropic
functions in their physical, chemical, and morphological properties.
Representative examples include anisotropic skin layers or blood vessels
simultaneously facing multiphasic environments. Here, anisotropically
multifunctional structures called BiFACIAL (<i>bi</i>omimetic <i>f</i>reestanding <i>a</i>nisotropic <i>c</i>atechol-<i>i</i>nterfaces with <i>a</i>symmetrically <i>l</i>ayered) films were developed simply by contacting two polysaccharide
solutions of heparin-catechol (Hep-C) and chitosan-catechol (Chi-C).
Such anisotropic characters were due to controlling catechol cross-linking
by alkaline pH, resulting in a trimodular structure: a rigid yet porous
Hep-C exterior, nonporous interfacial zone, and soft/highly porous
Chi-C interior. The anisotropic features of each layer, including
the porosity, rigidity, rheology, composition, and ionic strength,
caused the BiFACIAL films to show spontaneously biased stimuli responses
and differential behaviors against biological substances (e.g., blood
plasma). The films could be created in situ in live animals and imitated
the structural/functional aspects of the representative anisotropic
tissues (e.g., skin and blood vessels), providing valuable ECM-like
platforms for the creation of favorable environments or for tissue
regeneration or disease treatment by effectively manipulating cellular
behaviors