Beta-PVDF membranes induce cellular proliferation and differentiation in static and dynamic conditions

Bone marrow cells are a potential source to induce different lineage cells which can be
used to rebuild or replace damaged tissues using a Tissue Engineering (TE) approach. However, TE
strategies usually require the use of a material to support the development of a biological tissue.
Beta-polyvinylidene fluoride (β-PVDF) is a biocompatible, thermoplastic with piezo-electrical
properties that has been shown to provide a good cellular attachment and therefore might present
advantageous properties as a scaffold material for cell seeding/culturing. The present study
describes the characterization of β-PVDF membranes as a support material for growth and
differentiation of goat marrow cells (GMCs) into osteoblasts, leading to the formation of substitutes
for tissue regeneration.
The obtained results suggest that β-PVDF piezoelectric properties influence cellular behavior. β-
PVDF membranes not only enhance GMCs adherence and proliferation but also improve
differentiation towards the osteogenic phenotype both in static and dynamic culture conditions.
Furthermore, β-PVDF membranes exhibit very promising properties, suggesting that this material
provides adequate support for the seeding and the development of undifferentiated cells towards a
desired phenotype.