Dr SP Wilshaw

Investigation of mesothelial cell interactions with Permacol® In Vitro
Industrial Sponsor: Tissue Service Ltd
Supervisor: Professor Eileen Ingham, Professor John Fisher, Dr J Proffitt (TSL)

Permacol® is physically smooth and does not provoke an immune rejection. Tissue Science Laboratories have evidence from In vivo studies to indicate that when Permacol® is used as a tissue patch in the abdominal cavity, that few adhesions are formed an these are usually associated with the suture points of the material in the abdominal wall. It has been proposed that the smooth surface of Permacol® and its covering with mesothelium elicit few adhesions on the surface presented towards the cavity. It has been suggested that with those implants that provoke more adhesions, the material may be rougher (or more immunogenic) and therefore adhesions could occur before the material can be covered with mesothelium. In more sever cases, the material may provoke such a foreign body reaction that adhesions are inevitable. It is therefore proposed that Permacol® has advantages over other implantable biomaterials.

Aims
The aims of this study were to determine the capacity of mesothelial cells to adhere to, proliferate on and cover the surface of Permacol® compare to other implantable biomaterials. The capacity of Permacol® to induce and anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic functional mesothelial cells phenotype will be investigated as will the nature of fibrin cots formed on the surface of Permacol® compared to other implantable biomaterials.

Specific objectives

• To compare the capacity of human mesothelial cells to adhere to Permacol®, SIS (Surgisis®), Alloderm®, Prolene® and tissue culture plastic (control).
• To compare the rate of proliferation of human mesothelial cells on Permacol®, SIS (Surgisis®), Alloderm®, Prolene® and tissue culture plastic (control).
• To determine the production of anti-fibrinolytic, fibrinolytic and inflammatory mediators by mesothelial cells cultured on Permacol®, SIS (Surgisis®), Alloderm®, Prolene® and tissue culture plastic (control).
• To compare the morphology, cell viability and coverage of mesothelial cells on Permacol®, SIS (Surgisis®), Alloderm®, Prolene® and tissue culture plastic (control).
• To determine the capacity of mesothelial cells to elaborate basement membrane proteins and adverse ,markers of cell function when cultured on Permacol®, SIS (Surgisis®), Alloderm®, Prolene® and tissue culture plastic (control).
• To determine the morphology and mechanical properties of fibrin clots formed on the surface of Permacol®, SIS (Surgisis®), Alloderm®, Prolene® and tissue culture plastic (control).

Research Institute Membership

• Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering
• WELMEC