In vitro mesothelialization of prosthetic materials designed for the repair of abdominal wall defects

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro response of mesothelial cells (MC) in terms of their ability to cover different biomaterials. MC were harvested from human omentum. The MC from the first passage were seeded onto different biomaterials from 10 min to 24 h: PL-PU99 (polypropylene-polyurethane); DM (ePTFE); PL (polypropylene); and PL + Col (polypropylene-collagen). The prosthetic surface covered was examined by microscopy and quantified. PL-PU99: The MC were adhered to the biomaterial 10 min post-incubation. At 4 h, the 53.12 +/- 7.86% of the prosthesis were coated with polygonal cells. At 12 h, 96.32 +/- 11.32% of the biomaterial was coated. DM: between 30 min to 8 h, the MC cells form small, round colonies. At 12 h, polygonal and fusiform secretory cells were observed (68.94 +/- 5.78%). 93.54 +/- 11.49% of surface was coated after 24h. PL: only isolated cells were observed on the prosthesis. PL + Col: MC form a monolayer over prosthetic surface after 18 h (90.21 +/- 9.76). We conclude: (a) MC formed a stable monolayer over all the biomaterials tested with the exception of the PL due to its porosity. (b) The PL-PU99 showed the greatest potential for in vitro mesothelialization compared to the PL-Col and DM prostheses. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.