Synthesis and characterization of cholesterol-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactic acid) copolymers for promoting osteoblast attachment and proliferation

A novel cholesterol-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactic acid) copolymer (CPEG-PLA) has been synthesized as a potential surface additive for promoting osteoblast attachment and proliferation. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) results indicated the product had expected structure with low polydispersities in the range of 1.1–1.5. By blending the poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) with CPEG-PLA, the surface of modified PLA membrane was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle. The results revealed the enrichment of PEG chain on the surface. Osteoblast cell line (MC3T3) was chosen to test the cell behavior on modified PLA membranes. The osteoblast test about cell attachment, proliferation, cell viability and cell morphology investigation on CPEG-PLA modified PLA substrates showed the CPEG-PLA with 15 and 5 ethylene glycol units promoted osteoblast attachment and growth, while the CPEG-PLA with 30 ethylene glycol units prevent osteoblast adhesion and proliferation. This simple surface treatment method may have potentials for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.