Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a biodegradable
aliphatic polyester widely investigated as scaffolds to support the
regeneration of bone.1 However, PCL alone does not present molecular
motifs for cell biological recognition, thus preventing cross-talk with living
cells. In order to produce bioactive materials able to promote and enhance cell
attachment biomimetic approaches are suggested.2 Carbohydrates are
ideal biomolecules for material surface functionalisation.3 In fact,
the polyhydroxylated nature confers hydrophylic features. Moreover,
carbohydrates are directly implicated in cell recognition processes, including
adhesion between cells, adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix, and in
specific recognition of cells by one another. We report an innovative PCL
bioactivation.
REFERENCES
1. Gloria A. et al., J. Appl. Biomater. Biomech., (2009) 7:141-152.
2. Hersel U. et al., Biomaterials (2003)
24:4385-4415.
3. Russo L. et al.,
Carbohydr. Res.
(2011) 346: 1564-1568.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We gratefully acknowledge PRIN
project (Grant no: 2010L9SH3K) for
providing financial support.
