Cellular assemblages by using polymer chains possessing bio-affinities for tissue engineering

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were modified with polymer chains to display cell-adhesive sites through the ligand-receptor interaction on the cell surface. We prepared a poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) having a cell-adhesive peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) at both ends to link among cells. The polymer chains were added to the HUVEC suspension to obtain cell agglomerates. SEM observations revealed that cells closely attached to form agglomerates. Cell agglomerates could adhere onto the collagen-coated PS plate and spread from their circumference. Eventually, cell shapes changed from agglomerates to a monolayer. We found that cell growth was facilitated when cells remained agglomerated and that the size and the morphologies of cell agglomerates significantly influenced on the cell proliferation.