Uniform cell colonisation of porous 3D scaffolds achieved using radial control of surface chemistry

Uniform cellular distribution is a prerequisite to forming tissue within porous scaffolds, but the seeding process often results in preferential adhesion of cells at the periphery. We develop a vapour phase coating strategy which is readily applicable to any porous solid to provide a uniform cellular distribution. Plasma polymerized allyl amine (ppAAm) is used to form a thin nitrogen-containing coating throughout porous three-dimensional (3-D) poly(D,L.-lactic acid) scaffolds. Subsequent controlled deposition of a hydrocarbon plasma polymerized hexane (ppHex) allows control of the fibroblast penetration into these porous 3-D objects. In order to optimize the coating conditions, a planar pinhole model of plasma penetration into pores is developed to rapidly measure deposit penetration using picolitre water contact angle measurement. Sufficiently good control over the plasma deposition within the porous scaffold is achieved using this approach to superimpose a relatively cell-repellent ppHex coating at the scaffold periphery onto the ppAAm-coated core, with a chemical gradient between the two. This 3-D chemical gradient encourages 3T3 fibroblast cells to adhere homogeneously from the periphery to the centre, when balanced by the tortuousity of the pore structure, which cells experience when passing from the surrounding medium to the centre.