Modulating the biocompatibility of polymer surfaces with poly(ethylene glycol): Effect of fibronectin

G. Altankov*, V. Thom, T. Groth, K. Jankova, G. Jonsson, M. Ulbricht

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

A novel approach described earlier for improving polymer substratum biocompatibility1 is further elucidated. Polysulfone (PSf) spin-coating films were modified by covalent end-on grafting of hydrophilic and sterically demanding photo-reactive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) conjugates (ABMPEG; 10 kDa). The degree of grafting density was varied systematically, yielding a wide spectrum of attained surface characteristics monitored by air–water contact angles (captive bubble method). Fibronectin (FN) adsorption was studied by in situ ellipsometry and found to decrease monotonically as ABMPEG grafting density increased. The adhesive interaction of human skin fibroblasts with these substrata and, in particular, the effect of FN precoating were investigated in detail. A clear optimum of cell–substratum interactions was found for mildly modified substrata, employing well established microscopic and immunofluorescence techniques, namely the monitoring of cell adhesion and spreading, overall cell morphology, organization of FN receptors, and focal adhesions as well as FN matrix formation. The results suggest that cell interactions with hydrophobic polymer substrata are enhanced considerably when modified with hydrophilic and sterically demanding PEG moieties at a low surface coverage due to enhanced biologic activity of adsorbed and intercalated adhesive proteins such as FN
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A
Volume52
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)219-230
ISSN1549-3296
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Surface modification
  • Polymer biocompatibility;poly(ethylene glycol)
  • Cell adhesion
  • Fibronectin

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