Study of the polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films' properties and correlation with the behavior of the human gingival fibroblasts

The relation between fibroblast cell behavior and wettability parameters of different polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) was investigated. To this end, three types of film ending with polycations or polyanions were selected: poly(l-lysine)/poly(l-glutamic acid) (PGA/PLL)5 and (PGA/PLL)5–PGA, hyaluronan/PLL (HA/PLL)5 and (HA/PLL)5–HA, and poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PSS/PAH)10 and (PSS/PAH)10–PSS. The film roughness and thickness were measured by AFM and optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS). Surface free energy (SFE), polar (acid, basic and acid–basic) and dispersive components of SFE were determined using the Van Oss approach by dynamic contact angle (DCA) measurements. Cell adhesion was quantified by fluorescent labeling using an image analysis system. Cell morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and phase contrast microscopy. Cell proliferation was followed over a seven day period. Fibroblast adhesion and proliferation were strongly dependent on film type. SEM observations of cells on the different films agreed with the proliferation and adhesion tests.