Adhesion and growth of cultured human endothelial cells on perfluorosulphonate: role of vitronectin and fibronectin in cell attachment.

The suitability of neutralized perfluorosulphonic acid (Nafion) as a surface for the attachment and growth of human cells was investigated in tissue culture. Nafion was equivalent to tissue culture polystyrene (TCP), and markedly better than polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), for the attachment and growth of human umbilical artery endothelial (HUAE) cells. The attachment and growth of HUAE cells on Fn-coated Nafion was equivalent to that on Fn-coated TCP. The contribution to the attachment and spreading of HUAE cells that is due to adsorption of serum fibronectin (Fn) or vitronectin (Vn) on to the Nafion or TCP was directly tested by selective removal of Fn or Vn from the serum before addition to the culture medium. HUAE cells seeded on to Nafion or TCP in medium depleted of Vn failed to attach and spread on to these surfaces, as measured after 4 or 24 h of culture. HUAE cells seeded in medium depleted of Fn, but containing Vn, attached and spread on to Nafion, albeit to a decreased extent as compared to that in intact serum when measured after 4 h of culture, and there was no effect of depletion of Fn when measured after 24 h of culture. HUAE cells seeded on to TCP in medium depleted of Fn became attached and spread during 4 h of culture. Our results show that Nafion is a suitable polymeric surface for the attachment and growth of human cells, including endothelial cells. For HUAE cells, adsorption on to the surface of an adhesive glycoprotein, such as Vn or Fn, is an essential step for attachment and spreading of the cells onto the Nafion surface.