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Cell adhesion to synthetic biomaterials is a prerequisite for anchorage cell culture and tissue engineering. The current study investigated utilization of an avidin-biotin binding system in enhancing chondrocyte adhesion to tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). Biotinylated chondrocytes adhered to avidin-coated TCPS more quickly than untreated chondrocytes to bare TCPS. Also the avidin-biotin binding system enhanced cell initial spreading. However, the effects were only transient. The growth of biotinylated chondrocytes was first decreased during the first 3 days but increased afterwards. The progeny of biotinylated chondrocytes still maintained the ability in expressing cartilage extracellular matrix proteins such as type II collagen, type IX collagen and aggrecan. These results show potential for the application of the avidin-biotin binding system to cell culture and tissue engineering.

Cell adhesion to a scaffold is a prerequisite for tissue engineering. Many studies have been focused on enhancing cell adhesion to synthetic materials that are used for scaffold fabrication. In this study, we applied an avidin-biotin binding system to enhance chondrocyte adhesion to biodegradable polymers. Biotin molecules were conjugated to the cell membrane of chondrocytes, and mediated cell adhesion to avidin-coated surfaces. We demonstrated that immobilization of biotin molecules to chondrocyte surfaces enhanced cell adhesion to avidin-coated biodegradable polymers such as poly(L-lactic acid), poly(D,L-lactic acid), and polycaprolactone, compared to the adhesion of normal chondrocytes to the same type of biodegradable polymer. The biotinylated chondrocytes still maintained their proliferation ability. This study showed the promise of applying the avidin-biotin system in cartilage tissue engineering. [diagram in text].