New modified polyetheretherketone membrane for liver cell culture in biohybrid systems: adhesion and specific functions of isolated hepatocytes

There has been growing interest in innovative materials with physico-chemical properties that provide improved blood/cell compatibility. We propose new polymeric membranes made of modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK-WC) as materials with potential for use in biohybrid devices. PEEK-WC exhibits high chemical, thermal stability and mechanical resistance. Owing to its lack of crystallinity this polymer can be used for preparing membranes with cheap and flexible methods. We compared the properties of PEEK-WC membranes to polyurethane membranes prepared using the same phase inverse technique and commercial membranes. The physico-chemical properties of the membranes were characterised by contact angle measurements. The different parameters acid (γ+), base (γ−) and Lifshitz-van der Waals (γLW) of the surface free energy were calculated according to Good-van Ossʹs model. We evaluated the cytocompatibility of PEEK-WC membranes by culturing hepatocytes isolated from rat liver. Cell adhesion and metabolic behaviour in terms of ammonia elimination, urea synthesis and protein synthesis were evaluated during the first days of culture. Liver cells adhered and formed three-dimensional aggregates on the most tested membranes. PEEK-WC membranes promoted hepatocyte adhesion most effectively. Urea synthesis, ammonia elimination and protein synthesis improved significantly when cells adhered to PEEK-WC membrane. The considerable metabolic activities of cells cultured on this membrane confirmed the good structural and physico-chemical properties of the PEEK-WC membrane that could be a promising biomaterial for cell culture in biohybrid devices.