Enhanced Dual Functionality of Pluronic F127-Blended Poly(ether sulfone) Hollow Fiber Membranes for Improved Separation and Cell Adhesion in Extracorporeal Bioartificial Kidney and Liver Applications

Rising numbers of organ failures have intensified the demand for high-performance biomaterials to support the development of bioartificial organs and advanced bioreactors. Hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) are particularly well-suited for such applications, including bioartificial kidney, liver, and 3D cell culture systems, due to their unique architecture and functional versatility. In this study, we engineered HFMs by blending amphiphilic Pluronic F127 (PF127) with poly(ether sulfone) (PES), aiming to enhance both separation efficiency and cellular attachment and proliferation. Physicochemical characterization revealed that PF127 incorporation resulted in a concentric, porous membrane structure with significantly improved porosity as compared to that of plain PES HFMs. Biocompatibility was assessed using human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and hepatocellular carcinoma liver (HepG2) cell lines. Confocal microscopy, MTT cell viability assays, flow-cytometry-based live/dead assays, and calcein AM/propidium iodide staining demonstrated that PF127/PES HFMs strongly support the attachment and proliferation of viable cells. The attached cells exhibited high metabolic activity and formed three-dimensional spheroids, indicating the bioactive influence of PF127. Hemocompatibility evaluation by hemolysis and terminal complement complex (SC5b9) showed that the HFMs fabricated were hemocompatible, suggesting a diminished inflammatory response. Additionally, separation performance evaluation demonstrated a high ultrafiltration coefficient, highest for 2.5 PF127 (173.83 ± 7.31 mL m^-2 h^-1 mmHg^-1) and efficient removal of a broad range of uremic toxins, including urea, creatinine, macroglobulin analogs, and protein-bound toxins such as indoxyl sulfate. Collectively, the enhanced cytocompatibility with kidney and liver cells, hemocompatibility, and separation capability of PF127/PES HFMs make them promising scaffolds for bioartificial kidney and liver applications.