Design and Synthesis of Biocompatible Polymeric Materials

Abstract

Abstract For one of the approaches to antithrombogenic materials, the combination of synthetic polymers with physiologically active substances seems to be promising. One of these ways involves crosslinked urokinase (HM-UK), in which urokinases are linked with side chains of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) by 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenyl-methane, and encapsulated urokinase (HMe-UK), in which urokinases are encapsulated in the network of crosslinked PHEMA. The HMe-UK with a low degree of crosslinking was found to be highly antithrombogenic. For another way, Val-Pro-Arg-immobilized polyetherurethaneurea (PEUU) was synthesized. The tripeptide, Val-Pro-Arg, is a substrate of thrombin. The tripeptide-immobilized PEUU was found to complex specifically with thrombin and inactivate it, and hence to prolong the thrombin time and the active partial thromboplastin time. For a further approach to antithrombogenic materials, the design of materials which are covered with a living tissue formed by cell proliferation seems to be promising. For one of the ways in this approach, Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-immobilized silicone films were synthesized. The tetrapeptide constitutes the active site of cell-adhesion proteins. A number of fibroblast cells were found to grow on the tetrapeptide-immobilized silicone film more resistant to changes of temperature and pH than proteins. Third, novel functions such as cell separation are expected, according to the nature of the carrier macromolecule.