Study on the preparation of chitosan–alginate complex membrane and the effects on adhesion and activation of endothelial cells

Biomaterials that support vascularization without activating immune competent endothelial cells are desirous in immunoisolation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effect of chitosan–alginate membrane on adhesion and activation of endothelial cells. The AFM photographs showed that the CS/ALG membrane surface roughness values were less than CS membrane and ALG membrane. The contact angle of CS/ALG membrane was between ALG membrane and CS membrane. The surface roughness and hydrophilicity of CS/ALG membrane affect the adhesion and activation on endothelial cells. The CS/ALG membrane did not allow the majority of cells to adhere well but maintained their viability. The membrane leach-outs were nontoxic to the cells, as confirmed by tetrazolium reduction (MTT) and trypan blue assays. The growth curves of the endothelial cells desquamated from the CS/ALG membrane suggested that the endothelial cells maintain their activation. Taken together these results point out that CS/ALG membrane is compatible with endothelial cells and maintains their nonactivated status.