Chitosan Film/Membrane as a Surface to Alter Brain Glioma Growth and Migration

, , , , , , , , , ,
,

Keywords: , , , ,

A hydrophilic polysaccharide derived from chitin, chitosan has gained increasing popularity in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery because of its presumed biocompatibility. These applications were founded on chemical similarities between chitosan and cell surface carbohydrate moieties and certain extracellular materials. Human brain glioblastoma U-87 cells modify their plasma membranes to facilitate migration and invasion through complex and as yet poorly understood interactions with the extracellular matrix of brain tissue. Because chitosan exhibits anti-microbial activities through its interaction(s) with microbial cell surface thereby altering their gene expression and cellular function and leading to cell death, we hypothesized that the properties of chitosan can be exploited to inhibit human brain glioma migration and invasion. We have designed a cell model to test this hypothesis. We cultured human glioblastoma U-87 cells on a film/membrane of chitosan and compared their growth and proliferation kinetics with U-87 cells not cultured on chitosan film/membrane (i.e., the control). Our results of on-going studies indicate that U-87 cells cultured on chitosan film/membrane exhibited significantly slower growth and proliferation kinetics compared to U-87 cells cultured in the absence of chitosan film/membrane. Thus, they many have pathophysiological implications in glioma migration and invasion.

PDF of paper:


Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2009: Life Sciences, Medicine, Diagnostics, Bio Materials and Composites
Published: May 3, 2009
Pages: 302 - 305
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topic: Biomaterials
ISBN: 978-1-4398-1783-4