AbstractHuman keratinocytes have been cultured on plasma co-polymers (PCPs), self assembled monolayers (SAMs), tissue culture poly(styrene) (TCPS) and collagen I. The degree of keratinocyte attachment was measured over 24 hours and cell proliferation and growth monitored over 7 days using optical microscopy and DNA concentrations. Cell attachment and proliferation and growth on the PCP surfaces were compared with 2 self assembled monolayer (SAM) systems. PCP surfaces containing carboxylic acid functionalities promoted keratinocyte attachment, with optimum attachment levels seen on surfaces containing less than 5% acid groups. The level of attachment on these surfaces was comparable to that seen on collagen I, a preferred substratum for the culturing of keratinocytes. After several days in culture the cells were well attached and proliferative. Keratinocytes attached well to acidterminated SAMs but attached poorly to methyl-terminated SAMs.
