Bioinspired polyethersulfone-based hollow fiber membranes as the scaffolds in renal assist device for protein-bound toxins removal from blood

Dissertation for obtaining the Master degree in Membrane Engineering

Erasmus Mundus Master in Membrane Engineering

Using bioartificial kidney is the promising approach for removal of non-dializable, proteinbound uremic toxins, which are responsible for high mortality and morbidity in treating kidney failure related conditions. Additionaly, bioartificial kidney device could perform the physiological roles of the kidney such as metabolic replacement, endocrine function and immunomodulation. In the current work two commercial polyethersulfone-based membranes, Gambro HCO 1100 and Membrana MicroPES TF10 used in haemofiltration and plasma separation applications respectively were investigated. To provide adequate cytocompatibility of the membrane biomimetic, biomimetic double layer coating was developed. First, the membranes were coated with musselinspired synthetic polydopamine film, following with the coating of Collagen Type IV. Transport properties of the coated and native membranes were investigated. Increase in pure water permeability of the coated HCO 1100 membranes was observed. Membrane surface hydrophilization was assumed as the major factor responsible for the effect. Membrane permeabilities for bovine serum albumin and immunoglobulin G solutions were studied. Significant increase in protein rejection was observed for double coated HCO 1100 membranes with small or no effect of the double coated MicroPES TF10 membranes. Next, formation of confluent monolayers of the renal epithelial cells on the membrane scaffolds was studied. Cell seeding strategy was developed and two seeding conditions were tested. Specifically, the cells were allowed to adhere to the biomimetic membranes passively, and the negative pressure was applied to facilitate cell adhesion. After cultivation in semi-batch conditions the monolayer formation was examined. Confluent monolayers were observed for the conditions with passive cell adherence for the both membranes. Cell contacts formation and cell polarization were confirmed with the staining for ZO-1 protein. Applying the pressure to facilitate cell adhesion, on the contrary, resulted in the loss of cell ability to form functional monolayers.

EM3E Master is an Education Programme supported by the European Commission, the European Membrane Society (EMS), the European Membrane House (EMH), and a large international network of industrial companies, research centres and universities