In vivo protein adsorption onto polymers: a transmission electron microscopic study

Effects of increased surface coverage of polyvinylpyrrolidone over a polysulfone hemofilter membrane on permeability and cell adhesion during continuous hemofiltration

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the adhesiveness of blood cells and the solute removal performance change of modified polysulfone membranes which have increased polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coverage over their surface. Continuous hemofiltration (CHF) experiments for 24 h were carried out using an ex vivo hemofilter evaluation system to compare a modified polysulfone hemofilter (SHG) with the conventional polysulfone hemofilter (SH). The 25 and 50 % cutoff values of the sieving coefficient of dextran after CHF and the protein concentration in the filtrate was higher in SHG, indicating that less fouling occurred in the SHG membrane. Adhesion of blood cells after 24 h of CHF was significantly higher in the case of SH than in the case of SHG. Blood cell adhesion and membrane fouling were reduced with the use of a polysulfone membrane modified with increased PVP coverage over the surface.

Nanostructured designs of biomedical materials: applications of cell sheet engineering to functional regenerative tissues and organs

Biomaterials surface design is critical for control of cell-materials interactions. Materials surface characteristics important to cell-materials interactions are the following: (a) nonfouling surfaces where cells cannot interact; (b) surfaces that interact with cells but do not alter cell morphology or metabolism (passive adhesion processes); and (c) surfaces that strongly interact with cells and cell-surface receptors to alter cell shape after metabolic interactions (active adhesion). In this paper, we briefly discuss the relationship between materials surface characteristics and cells for biomaterials designs in these categories. We have extensively investigated the thermoresponsive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm), as grafted surfaces allowing recovery of confluent cell monolayers as contiguous living cell sheets for tissue engineering applications. Cellular interactions with PIPAAm-grafted surfaces can be regulated vertically using the thickness of the PIPAAm-grafted layers in nanometer-scale levels, as well as laterally (spatially) using nano-patterned PIPAAm chemistry on various other surface chemistries. PIPAAm-grafted surfaces with 15-20-nm thick layers exhibit temperature-dependent cell adhesion/detachment control, while surfaces with PIPAAm layer thicknesses of more than 30 nm do not support cell adhesion. These changes in cell adhesion are explained by the limited mobility of the surface grafted polymer chains as a function of grafting, hydration, and temperature.

Surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate using PEO-polybutadiene-PEO triblock copolymers

The initial step of thrombus formation on blood-contacting biomaterials is known to be adsorption of blood proteins followed by platelet adhesion. It is generally accepted that surface modification of the biomaterials with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) substantially reduces protein adsorption and cell adhesion. Dacron(R) (polyethylene terephthalate) fabric, which is one of the biomaterials commonly used in blood-contacting devices, was grafted with PEO. A simple two-step procedure for covalent grafting of PEO onto the surface of Dacron(R) fabric was used. The surface was first treated with PEO-polybutadiene-PEO (PEO-PB-PEO) triblock copolymer, to introduce a layer of double bonds onto the surface. The Dacron(R) surface was then exposed to a solution of Pluronic(R) F108 (PF108), a commercially available PEO-poly(propylene oxide)-PEO (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymer. The surface with two adsorbed layers of PEO-PB-PEO and PF108 was gamma-irradiated in the presence of PF108 in the bulk solution for a total radiation dose of 0.8 Mrad. The bulk concentrations of PEO-PB-PEO and PF108 were varied to maximize the efficiency of PEO grafting. Fibrinogen adsorption on PEO-grafted surfaces was reduced more than 90%, compared with that on control surfaces, irrespective of the bulk concentrations of polymers used for grafting. Platelet adhesion was also reduced substantially by PEO grafting. Only a few round platelets were able to adhere to the PEO-grafted surface, while the control surface was fully covered with aggregates of activated platelets. PEO grafting on polyethylene terephthalate using PEO-PB-PEO and PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers is a simple approach that can be used for various other biomaterials.

Engineering analysis of diamond-like carbon coated polymeric materials for biomedical applications

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have received much attention recently owing to their properties, which are similar to diamond: hardness, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance against chemicals, abrasion resistance, good biocompatibility, and uniform flat surface. Furthermore, DLC films can be deposited easily on many substrates for wide area coat at room temperature. DLC films were developed for applications as biomedical materials in blood contacting-devices (e.g., rotary blood pump) and showed good biocompatibility for these applications. In this study, we investigated the surface roughness by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Hi-vision camera, SEM for surface imaging. The DLC films were produced by radio frequency glow discharge plasma decomposed of hydrocarbon gas at room temperature and low pressure (53 Pa) on several kinds of polycarbonate substrates. For the evaluation of the relation between deposition rate and platelet adhesion that we investigated in a previous study, DLC films were deposited at the same methane pressure for several deposition times, and film thickness was investigated. In addition, the deposition rate of DLC films on polymeric substrates is similar to the deposition rate of those deposited on Si substrates. There were no significant differences in substrates' surface roughness that were coated by DLC films in different deposition rates (16-40 nm). The surface energy and the contact angle of the DLC films were investigated. The chemical bond of DLC films also was evaluated. The evaluation of surface properties by many methods and measurements and the relationship between the platelet adhesion and film thickness is discussed. Finally, the presented DLC films appear to be promising candidates for biomedical applications and merit investigation.

Preparations and properties of a novel grafted segmented polyurethane-bearing glucose groups

Novel grafted polyurethane-bearing glucose groups were synthesized through a graft copolymerization of a prefabricated polyurethane containing poly(butadiene) glycol (PBD) and hydrogenated poly(butadiene) glycol (HPBD) soft segments, and 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) hard segment with a hydrophilic monomer glycosylethyl methacrylate (GEMA) in solution in the presence of 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator. The bulk characteristics of the grafted polyurethanes were investigated by infra-red (IR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. The glucose groups were oriented on the surface of the cast film of grafted polyurethane with different graft-on percentages as revealed by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), attenuated total reflectance infra-red spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and water contact angle. The grafted polyurethane surfaces which showed decreased water contact angles also indicate that hydrophilic glucose groups are present at the surface. The hemocompatibilities of these polymer surfaces were evaluated by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contacting tests. It was found that the surface of grafted polyurethane with a graft-on percentage of 23.4% showed a good hemocompatibility in terms of platelet adhesion and shape variation. It indicates that glucose groups on the surface are effective for the improvement of hydrophilicity as well as hemocompatibility.

Active platelet movements on hydrophobic/hydrophilic microdomain-structured surfaces

The early motion and interaction of platelets on a microdomain-structured block copolymer surface composed of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-styrene were analyzed and compared with those on a compositionally identical random copolymer, homopolymer poly (HEMA) (hydrophilic) and polystyrene (hydrophobic) surfaces. Contacting platelets were quantitatively more active, with motions including rolling, detachment, oscillatory vibration, and change of direction only on the HEMA-St block copolymer surface. Active platelet movements were observed for long time periods (>20 min) on HEMA-St block copolymer surfaces and were distinct from those for inert PSt latex particles on these same surfaces, demonstrating that platelet movements were not due to physical forces such as convection, hydrophobic interactions, or microbrownian movement. To study the cause and mechanism underlying the platelet movements, platelets treated with an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis inhibition, NaN3, or a membrane skeleton-disrupting chemical agent, dibucaine, were also studied on these surfaces. Both treatments reduced platelet movement and demonstrated that platelets in contact with the HEMA-St block copolymer surface require metabolic processes consuming ATP and involve dynamics of their membrane skeleton. These energy-consuming active movements might explain the previously observed lower platelet activation and low thrombogenicity of the HEMA-St block copolymers. Enhanced platelet movements on the HEMA-St block copolymer surface show that the microdomain surface interacts uniquely with platelets to hinder activation and preserve passive platelet function despite surface contact.

Preparation and characterization of heparin-containing SBS-g-DMAEMA copolymer membrane

The grafting of dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) onto styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBS) membrane was subsequently conducted by UV-radiation induced graft copolymerization without degassing to obtain the SBS-g-DMAEMA copolymer membrane. The substituted amino groups on the SBS-g-DMAEMA graft copolymer membrane were quaternized with iodomethane, and then the membrane was treated with heparin to prepare the heparin-containing SBS-g-DMAEMA copolymer membrane (SBS-g-DMAEMA-HEP). The graft copolymer membrane (SBS-g-DMAEMA) and the heparin-containing SBS-g-DMAEMA copolymer membrane (SBS-g-DMAEMA-HEP) were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The heparin content was determined by toluidine blue heparin assay. Contact angle, water content, and protein adsorption of fibrinogen and albumin experiments were also performed to evaluate the effect of graft amount and heparin content on the biocompatibility of SBS-g-DMAEMA and SBS-g-DMAEMA-HEP graft copolymer membranes. By using Kaelble's equation, the surface tension of SBS-g-DMAEMA and SBS-g-DMAEMA-HEP were determined. It was found that with increasing grafting amount and the heparin content, the surface tension and water content of SBS-g-DMAEMA membrane increased, whereas the contact angle decreased. The amount of the adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen decreased with increasing graft amount and heparin content. However, there was a minimum for adsorption of proteins in the SBS-g-DMAEMA and SBS-g-DMAEMA-HEP membranes.

Synthesis and characterization of segmented polyurethanes based on amphiphilic polyether diols

Segmented polyurethanes (SPUs) based on polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG) and a series of Pluronics with different ethylene oxide/propylene oxide ratios (EO/PO) and molecular weights were prepared. Different diisocyanates were used for making SPUs: 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 4,4-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (MDCI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). 1,4-Butane diol (BD) and ethylene diamine (ED) were used as chain extenders. The polymers obtained were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The microphase morphology (phase separation and phase mixing) is discussed in more detail.

Improved blood compatibility of segmented polyurethane by polymeric additives having phospholipid polar group. II. Dispersion state of the polymeric additive and protein adsorption on the surface

To improve the blood compatibility of a segmented polyurethane (SPU), phospholipid polymer, i.e., 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) copolymerized with cyclohexyl methacrylate or 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, was blended into SPU as a polymeric additive. The blending was achieved by a solvent-evaporation technique from a homogeneous solution containing both the SPU and the MPC polymer. Surface analysis of the SPU membrane blended with the MPC polymer (SPU/MPC polymer membrane) revealed that the MPC polymer was concentrated at the surface of the SPU membrane which contacted the substrate, Teflon, compared with that which contacted air during the membrane-formation period. The dispersion state of the MPC polymer in the SPU membrane was evaluated in detail by staining the MPC unit with osmium tetraoxide. When sonication was applied during preparation of the mixed solution containing SPU and the MPC polymer, the dispersion of the MPC polymer in the SPU membrane was different from that without sonication. That is, the size of the domains of the MPC polymer became smaller but the number of the domains increased. The amount of the MPC polymer mixed with SPU affected the dispersion state. Plasma proteins adsorbed on the SPU/MPC polymer membrane surface after contact with human plasma were detected by gold-colloid-labeled immunoassay. Both albumin and fibrinogen were observed on the SPU membrane; however, the amount of these proteins was reduced on the SPU/MPC polymer membrane. Thus it was concluded that the blood compatibility of the SPU was effectively improved by the blending of the MPC polymer.

Improved blood compatibility of segmented polyurethanes by polymeric additives having phospholipid polar groups. I. Molecular design of polymeric additives and their functions

To improve the blood compatibility of a segmented polyurethane (SPU), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer was blended with the SPU. The MPC was copolymerized with cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA) or 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA), and the MPC polymers obtained could be dissolved in the same solvent as the SPU (Tecoflex 60). The blended membranes composed of SPU and MPC polymers were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. A small amount of MPC polymer in the blended membrane leached out after immersion in water for 10 days. The X-ray photo electron spectra indicated that the MPC moieties were located at the surface of the SPU membrane blended with poly(MPC-co-CHMA). On the other hand, the poly-(MPC-co-EHMA) was located homogeneously in the SPU membrane. The mechanical properties of the SPU membrane, as determined by tensile stress-strain measurements, changed very little even after addition of the MPC polymers. Blood compatibility of the blended membrane was evaluated by blood-cell adhesion on the surface when the membranes were placed in contact with rabbit whole blood or platelet-rich plasma. The addition of MPC polymer in the SPU membrane dramatically reduced cell adhesion. It is concluded that the blending of the MPC polymer in the SPU membrane is an effective method for imparting nonthrombogenicity.

Mechanism of thrombin inactivation by immobilized heparin

The ability of heparin to interact with plasma proteins, in particular antithrombin III (ATIII) and thrombin, is its primary mechanism as an anticoagulant drug. Research efforts have focused on the biological activity of heparin under three conditions: in solution as a free molecule, chemically coupled directly onto a polymer surface, and coupled onto a polymer surface using hydrophilic spacer groups. Each of these conditions yields altered biological activity, presumably a result of differing binding interactions with ATIII and thrombin. In this report, insights into binding interaction of direct versus polyethylene oxide space immobilized heparin with ATIII, thrombin, and the generation of the thrombin-antithrombin complex will be presented.

Biomaterials with permanent hydrophilic surfaces and low protein adsorption properties

Low protein adsorbing polymer films have been prepared with which to fabricate intravenous containers, designed for compatibility with low concentrations of protein drugs. The material is economically manufactured utilizing physical melt blending of water-soluble surface-modifying polymers (PEO, PEOX, PVA, and PNVP) with a base polymer (EVA, PP, PETG, PMMA, SB, and nylon). Permanency of the hydrophilic surfaces so generated was confirmed by surface contact angle experiments and total organic carbon leachables analysis of the aqueous contacting solutions. Binding of IgG, albumin and insulin was studied. A sixfold reduction of protein adsorption was obtained by adding 5% PVA13K to EVA, for IgG at a bulk concentration of 2.5 ppm. Surface bound protein measured by micro-BCA colorimetry, agreed with the solution protein lost, as determined by the Fluoraldehyde procedure. Imaging of the protein exposed plastic surfaces by silver enhanced protein conjugated gold staining agreed with the quantitative assay determinations.

Effects of oligoethylene oxide monoalkyl(aryl) alcohol ether grafting on the surface properties and blood compatibility of a polyurethane

A series of oligoethylene oxide monoalkyl(aryl) alcohol ethers was grafted on to the backbone of a polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO)-based polyurethane, in an attempt to improve its biocompatibility. Each polyurethane contained a different pendant chain grafted to the urethane nitrogen atoms. The grafted chains consisted of various short lengths of hydrophillic oligomeric poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) spacer segments and alkyl/aryl hydrophobic terminal groups. By using the 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) technique, the extent of grafting was found to range from 7 to 12 mol% substitution of the urethane hydrogen groups. The surface properties of these materials were evaluated using high-vacuum, air-equilibrated and water-equilibrated methods. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and static and dynamic contact angle experiments were performed. XPS showed that all of the grafted polyurethane surfaces contained higher ratios of C1s to O1s than the base polyurethane. These C:O contents correlate with the C:O ratios of the grafted chains. Dynamic contact angle analysis showed larger contact angle hysteresis for the grafted polyurethanes. The grafted polyurethanes generally exhibit lower complement activation, measured by an in vitro assay for C3a. A canine ex vivo arteriovenous series shunt was used to monitor platelet and fibrinogen deposition on these polymers. The incorporation of short ethylene oxide spacer segments with terminal C18 linear alkyl chains resulted in an improved short-term (up to 15 min) blood compatibility compared to the underivatized polyurethane. At longer blood contact times, all the grafted polyurethanes were more thrombogenic than the base polyurethane. In addition, there was no observable correlation between the material surface properties and the blood contact response.

Blood compatibility of SPUU-PEO-heparin graft copolymers

Biological responses to heparinized segmented polyurethaneurea (SPUU-PEO-Heparin) were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo. In vitro assays involved plasma protein adsorption, platelet adhesion, and release reaction studies. In addition, an ex vivo rabbit arterio-artery (A-A) shunt experiment was also performed to measure occlusion times of the heparinized surfaces. All SPUU-PEO-Heparin surfaces demonstrated less protein adsorption than Biomer and protein adsorption patterns similar to SPUU-PEO surfaces. Platelet adhesion and release studies demonstrated that both SPUU-PEO-Heparin and SPUU-PEO surfaces adsorbed less platelets and inhibited platelet release, as compared to Biomer. These findings correlated with reduction in protein adsorption observed for the modified surfaces. In low flow rate ex-vivo A-A shunt experiments, all heparinized surfaces prolonged occlusion time longer than controls. However, SPUU-PEO surfaces did not prolong occlusion time when compared to Biomer, although these surfaces suppressed protein adsorption and platelet interaction in vitro. The improved blood compatibility of SPUU-PEO-Heparin surfaces attest to the usefulness of this approach in improving the blood compatibility of blood contacting surfaces.

Surface characterization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/styrene copolymers by angle-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and static secondary ion mass spectrometry

The surface composition and structure of three structurally distinct amphiphilic copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and styrene have been examined with angle-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The phase-separated block copolymer made by anionic living polymerization, HSH-A50, showed significant surface enrichment of styrene. The outermost 2-3 A appeared to be approximately 100% styrene, with the styrene concentration decreasing to its bulk value at a depth of approximately 50 A from the surface. However, HEMA was detected in the outer 20 A of this copolymer. The presence of HEMA in the surface region implies this copolymer may undergo significant restructuring when hydrated in a hydrophilic environment (as opposed to the hydrophobic environment in which the sample was prepared and analyzed). The phase-separated block copolymer made by telechelic coupling of free radical polymerized functionalized oligomers, HSH-B60, showed only slight styrene enrichment at the surface. Both HEMA and styrene were detected at all sampling depths, including the outermost surface layer, consistent with the presence of discrete HEMA and styrene domains at the copolymer surface. Since both components are already present at the surface under hydrophobic conditions, the degree of restructuring this copolymer may undergo upon hydration should be minor. The random HEMA--styrene copolymer made by conventional free radical initiation techniques, HS-RAN50, had a surface composition that was similar to the bulk composition and independent of depth, as expected for a homogeneously mixed copolymer film.

Biological responses to polyethylene oxide modified polyethylene terephthalate surfaces

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) of molecular weights 5,000, 10,000, 18,500, and 100,000 g/mol was covalently grafted to surfaces of otherwise cell adhesive polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. Analysis of these surfaces by measurement of contact angles and ESCA verified the presence of the grafted PEO. Protein adsorption assays of radiolabeled albumin and fibrinogen showed a marked reduction in adsorbed protein for the 18,500 and 100,000 molecular weight PEO coupled surfaces. Cell growth assays using human foreskin fibroblasts in culture showed that the higher-molecular-weight PEO surfaces supported cell growth to a much lower extent than the two lower-molecular-weight PEOs. Flow of whole blood over these surfaces and visualization of platelet adherence using epifluorescence video-microscopy showed very low platelet adherence only on the two higher-molecular-weight PEO coupled surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy corroborated these results. It was concluded that PEO of molecular weights neighboring 18,500 and higher was effective in reducing protein adsorption and cellular interactions on these surfaces.

Solution technique to incorporate polyethylene oxide and other water-soluble polymers into surfaces of polymeric biomaterials

A simple solution technique was used to incorporate polyethylene oxide (PEO, of 5000, 10,000, 18,500, and 100,000 g/mol) and other water-soluble polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethyl oxazoline into the surfaces of commonly used biomedical polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate, a polyurethane (Pellethane 2363-80AE), and polymethylmethacrylate. The presence of the water-soluble polymers on these surfaces was verified by using contact angle analysis and ESCA. Protein adsorption studies, fibroblast adhesion assays, and whole blood perfusions over these polymers showed that the surface modified with PEO 18,500 was the most effective in reducing all the tested biological interactions. It was concluded that PEO 18,500 had a chain length that was optimal, using this technique for surface incorporation, to reduce protein adsorption and hence prevent protein-mediated biological interactions.