Hemocompatible mixed-charge copolymer brushes of pseudozwitterionic surfaces resistant to nonspecific plasma protein fouling

Langmuir. 2010 Mar 2;26(5):3522-30. doi: 10.1021/la903172j.

Abstract

In this work, the hemocompatibility of a sulfobetaine-like copolymer brush resulting from a mixed-charge copolymerization of the positively charged 11-mercapto-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (TMA) and negatively charged 11-mercaptoundecylsulfonic acid (SA) was studied. Mixed charge distribution in the prepared poly(TMA-co-SA) copolymer brushes was controlled by the regulation of the reaction rate of the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The adsorption behavior of plasma proteins on a surface grafted with poly(TMA-co-SA) was measured by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. The effects of varying temperature, solution pH, and ionic strength on the antifouling characteristics of the mixed-charge copolymer brushes were systematically evaluated, and the protein-fouling resistance was discussed in detail, especially with respect to the effect of ionic strength on the intra- and intermolecular interactions of the poly(TMA-co-SA) with proteins. The adhesion and activation of blood cells on the poly(TMA-co-SA)-grafted surface in contact with human whole blood was also demonstrated. The results suggest that mixed-charge copolymer brushes of poly(TMA-co-SA), which, like zwitterionic homopolymer brushes, have overall charge neutrality, can be used in similar applications for protein-fouling resistance and have excellent hemocompatibility with human whole blood at physiologic temperatures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biofouling*
  • Blood Cells / cytology
  • Blood Proteins / chemistry*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Blood Proteins
  • Polymers
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds