A simple drug anchoring microfiber scaffold for chondrocyte seeding and proliferation Michala Rampichova ´ • Lenka Martinova ´ • Eva Kos ˇt ˇ a ´kova ´ • Eva Filova ´ • Andrea Mı ´c ˇkova ´ • Mate ˇj Buzgo • Jir ˇı ´ Micha ´lek • Martin Pr ˇa ´dny ´ • Alois Nec ˇas • David Luka ´s ˇ • Evz ˇen Amler Received: 22 February 2011 / Accepted: 6 December 2011 / Published online: 6 January 2012 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012 Abstract The structural properties of microfiber meshes made from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) were found to significantly depend on the chemical com- position and subsequent cross-linking and nebulization processes. PHEMA microfibres showed promise as scaf- folds for chondrocyte seeding and proliferation. Moreover, the peak liposome adhesion to PHEMA microfiber scaf- folds observed in our study resulted in the development of a simple drug anchoring system. Attached foetal bovine serum-loaded liposomes significantly improved both chondrocyte adhesion and proliferation. In conclusion, fibrous scaffolds from PHEMA are promising materials for tissue engineering and, in combination with liposomes, can serve as a simple drug delivery tool. 1 Introduction Cartilage lesions are often treated conservatively using vari- ous substances such as chondroitin sulfate, D-glucosamine sulfate or hyaluronic acid. Alternatively, standard surgical techniques, such as debridement, penetration of the sub- chondral bone, osteotomy, or joint distraction, have improved joint functionality [1, 2]. Autographic transplantations from non-weight bearing zones or soft tissue graft implantations into cartilage defects are other plausible alternatives [3, 4]. Modern approaches involve the implantation of three- dimensional biocompatible scaffolds seeded with autologous chondrocytes [5, 6]. Several biopolymers have been reported to be suitable substances for chondrocyte adhesion and pro- liferation [5, 7]. Among them, macroporous poly(2-hydroxy- ethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), in its hydrogel form, was found to be a suitable biomaterial for different applications in tissue engineering, including cartilage [8, 9]. However, scaf- folds with native properties suitable for chondrocytes still remain to be developed. Other than biocompatibility, several other key factors are necessary for optimal scaffold design in terms of cell seeding, such as adequate adhesion or porosity to ensure a sufficient supply of nutrients and the creation of a native-like environment. Various synthetic polymers, such as poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) [10], poly(lactide acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) [11], and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [12], and natural polymers such as chitosan [13], M. Rampichova ´ Á E. Filova ´ Á A. Mı ´c ˇkova ´ Á M. Buzgo Á E. Amler Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic M. Rampichova ´ Á A. Mı ´c ˇkova ´ Á M. Buzgo Á E. Amler (&) Department of Biophysics, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, V U ´ valu 84, 150 06 Prague 5, Czech Republic e-mail: evzen.amler@lfmotol.cuni.cz L. Martinova ´ Á E. Kos ˇt ˇ a ´kova ´ Á D. Luka ´s ˇ Department of Nonwoven Textiles, Faculty of Textile Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic J. Micha ´lek Á M. Pr ˇa ´dny ´ Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Prague 6, Czech Republic J. Micha ´lek Á M. Pr ˇa ´dny ´ Center for Cell Therapy and Tissue Repair, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic A. Nec ˇas Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Small Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic E. Amler Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic 123 J Mater Sci: Mater Med (2012) 23:555–563 DOI 10.1007/s10856-011-4518-x