Fibronectin enhances cell spreading and retention on ePTFE under shear in vitro

The extent of cell spreading and retention on a modified endothelial cell lining made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) under various shear stresses in vitro were examined. The ePTFE was denucleated and treated either by rinsing in sterile phosphate buffered saline or immersing in a solution of tridodecylmethylammonium chloride (TDMAC) in ethanol for 30 minutes. The addition of TDMAC bound to fibronectin to the denucleated ePTFE increases the average cell area, the percentage of surface area covered by cells, and the retention of sodded human microvascular endothelial cells both statically and under a shearing flow for 24 hours in vitro when compared with denucleated ePTFE.