A novel strategy to obtain a hyaluronan monolayer on solid substrates

Biomacromolecules. 2007 Nov;8(11):3531-9. doi: 10.1021/bm700834d. Epub 2007 Oct 16.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find a novel simple method to obtain polysaccharide ultrathin layers on solid substrates to investigate the interaction between the surface and the biological environment. A Hyaluronan (Hyal) monolayer with a well-defined chemistry was obtained by exploiting the capability of organosilanes to spontaneously adhere onto glass surfaces. A silane alkylic chain was conjugated with Hyal, and the derivatized polysaccharide was allowed to spontaneously adhere onto a glass surface. The elemental analysis of the modified polysaccharide demonstrated that one out of five disaccharide units was conjugated with the alkyl silane chain, corresponding to a substitution degree of the carboxylate groups of approximately 20%. The film of the modified polysaccharide was characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. XPS analysis demonstrated that we obtained a Hyal layer with a thickness of about 2.0 nm corresponding to a Hyal monolayer. The Hyal-coated surfaces appeared to be rather smooth and highly hydrophilic and showed significant resistance to nonspecific cell adhesion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacology
  • Hyaluronic Acid / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Molecular Structure
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Hyaluronic Acid