Jin, Yoo Kim, Tae Hee Park, Sangun Char, Kookheon Kim, Soo Hyun Chung, Justin J. Jung, Youngmee 2024-01-19T15:32:13Z 2024-01-19T15:32:13Z 2021-09-02 2021-02 1616-301X https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/117471 Porous membranes used in co-culture enable the in vitro partitioning of cellular microenvironments, while still permitting physical and biochemical crosstalk between cells. Thus, features of the co-culture membrane are crucial for recapitulating the physiological functions of co-cultured cells. This study presents elastic, porous, and ultrathin membranes (EPUMs), which enhance cell-cell interactions and control cell alignment with surface topology created by stretching the membranes. The EPUM is fabricated using poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) as the base material, and the porous feature is endowed by a vapor-induced phase separation process induced by the presence of hygroscopic salt. Owing to its elastic property, the membrane can be stretched, and the deformed porous structures on the membrane surfaces act as nanostructured topographical cues, resulting in cell alignment. By co-culturing human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the opposite sides of the membrane, rapid endothelialization occurs through the membranes, as compared to the commercial membranes. Furthermore, the stretched membranes induce the alignment of hMSCs and HUVECs and ultimately exhibit enhanced endothelial barrier function. The co-culture membrane developed in this study may provide an effective tool for recapitulating endothelial basement membranes with a controllable endothelial barrier function. English John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Use of Elastic, Porous, and Ultrathin Co-Culture Membranes to Control the Endothelial Barrier Function via Cell Alignment Article 10.1002/adfm.202008172 1 Advanced Functional Materials, v.31, no.9 Advanced Functional Materials 31 9 Y scie scopus 000596938700001 2-s2.0-85097303665 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary Chemistry, Physical Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Physics, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Chemistry Science & Technology - Other Topics Materials Science Physics Article RAC1 MESENCHYMAL STEM-CELLS DIFFERENTIATION MORPHOLOGY ANGIOGENESIS PERMEABILITY TOPOGRAPHY PLATFORM cell alignment co&#8208 culture systems elastic membranes endothelial barriers poly(lactide&#8208 co&#8208 caprolactone)