Epidermal cellular response to poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers containing silver nanoparticles

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces, B, Biointerfaces Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 334 - 342
• Main Authors: Chun, Ja Young, Kang, Hyun Ki, Jeong, Lim, Kang, Yun Ok, Oh, Ju-Eun, Yeo, In-Sung, Jung, Sung Youn, Park, Won Ho, Min, Byung-Moo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.07.2010
• Subjects: Biomimetic Materials - chemistry; Biomimetic Materials - pharmacology; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Child, Preschool; Culture; Cytotoxicity; Epidermal cells; Epidermis - cytology; Fibroblasts - cytology; Fibroblasts - ultrastructure; Heat treatment; Hot Temperature; Humans; Infant; Ions; Keratinocytes - cytology; Keratinocytes - ultrastructure; Male; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanocomposites; Nanofibers; Nanofibers - chemistry; Nanofibers - radiation effects; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Poly(vinyl alcohol); Polyvinyl Alcohol - chemistry; Polyvinyl alcohols; Silver; Silver - chemistry; Ultraviolet Rays; Nanoparticles; Silver; Epidermal cells; Ions; Cytotoxicity; Poly(vinyl alcohol); Nanofibers
• ISSN: 0927-7765; 1873-4367
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.03.026

A heat-treated PVA nanofibrous matrix containing silver (Ag) was prepared by electrospinning an aqueous 10 wt% PVA solution and followed by heat treatment at 150 °C for 10 min. The average diameter of the as-spun and heat-treated PVA nanofibers was 330 nm. The heat-treated PVA nanofibrous matrix containing Ag was irradiated with UV light to transform the Ag ions in the nanofibrous matrix into Ag nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the Ag ions and/or nanoparticles on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and fibroblasts (NHEF) cultures was examined. The PVA nanofibrous matrix containing Ag showed slightly higher level of attachment and spreading in the early stage culture (1 h) than the PVA nanofibers without Ag (control). However, compared with the PVA nanofibers without Ag, the heat-treated and UV-irradiated PVA nanofibers, containing mainly Ag ions and nanoparticles, respectively, showed reduced cell attachment and spreading. This shows that both Ag ions and Ag nanoparticles are cytotoxic to NHEK and NHEF. There was no significant difference in cytotoxicity to NHEK and NHEF between Ag ions and Ag nanoparticles. NHEF appeared to be more sensitive to Ag ions or particles than NHEK. In addition, the residual nitrate ions (NO 3 −) in the PVA nanofibers had an adverse effect on the culture of both cells.