Papers by Author: Mi Sook Kim

Abstract: In vitro cell behaviors of calvarial osteoblasts (MC3T3) were evaluated by seeding them on both the surface and inside of in situ hyaluronic acid-poly(ethylene oxide) (HA-PEO) hydrogel, either after or before incorporation of mixture micro-particles of hydroxyapatite-β-tricalcium phosphate on/inside the hydrogel, respectively. Cellular behaviors such as adhesion and proliferation on the surface and inside the gel were evaluated with light microscopy and a microplate reader by focusing on the interactions of cell-HA-PEO as well as cell-hydroxyapatitetricalcium phosphate micro-particle surface in the gel. Cell adhesion and spreading seemed to be enhanced by supplying the micro-particles to the inside the HA-PEO hydrogel, compared to the results of the HA-PEO hydrogel itself.

Abstract: Characterization of an hyaluronic acid (HA)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) hydrogel was performed by changing the number of side arms in a PEO molecule. Verification of grafting chemistry and mechanical strength, as well as swelling behaviors and surface morphologies of the HA-PEO hydrogels were analyzed by employing different x-linking molecular weights (MW) of PEO ranging from 1.7 to 5.0 kDa at a fixed low MW HA in the hydrogel network. Methacrylation to the HA successfully obtained via Michael type reaction between the methacrylate arm groups in HA and the thiol end groups in PEO was observed by XPS. Hydrogel formation was markedly dependent upon the numbers of thiol groups in the PEO molecule. Furthermore the lower MW PEO-based HA hydrogel demonstrated stronger mechanical properties but lower water absorption and the smaller pore sizes on its surface and cross section.

Abstract: Though hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel has drawn great attention in biomedical society, it’s long molecular weights sometimes have been problematic due to its difficulty in handling. After reduction of its high molecular weight into smaller sizes with various concentrations of hydrogen chloride solutions, its chemical and biological properties have been examined by changes in viscosity, FTIR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography as well as cellular interactions. While FTIR analysis indicated maintenance of its original chemical structures, its viscosity has been remarkably reduced and its extent was dependent upon the employment of acid concentrations. After controlling its molecular weight to approximately 100 kDa and coupling of aminopropymethacrylate to the treated HA, we evaluated in vitro cellular interactions and cell proliferations of the HA-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) hydrogel.

Abstract: Clinical applications of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) as a small diameter graft have been limited due to its limited patency rates, even though its demands are high. After fabricating the biodegradable PLGA layers on both the inside and outside of ePTFE, long-term in vitro smooth muscle cell culture was performed on the luminal scaffold surface. The fabricated hybrid ePTFE scaffolds were designed to have three distinctive layers and porous structures in the biodegradable layers generated by gas-foaming of the ammonium bicarbonate porogens, i.e. two layers of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as biodegradable layers for tissue engineering and an ePTFE layer in the middle as a non-biodegradable layer. We evaluated the regenerated vascular tissues after applying either static or pulstile flow on a smooth muscle cells-seeded hybrid scaffold. Analysis of the engineered tissues was performed with SEM for morphological observation and H&E staining for observation of tissue development dependent upon a mode of culture system, flow patterns and scaffold species.