Abstract
Segmented polyurethanes based on poly(dimethylsiloxane), currently used for biomedical applications, have sub-optimal biocompatibility which reduces their efficacy. Improving the endothelial cell attachment and blood-contacting properties of PDMS-based copolymers would substantially improve their clinical applications. We have studied the surface properties and in vitro biocompatibility of two series of segmented poly(urethane-dimethylsiloxane)s (SPU-PDMS) based on hydroxypropyl- and hydroxyethoxypropyl- terminated PDMS with potential applications in blood-contacting medical devices. SPU-PDMS copolymers were characterized by contact angle measurements, surface free energy determination (calculated using the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good and Owens-Wendt methods), and atomic force microscopy. The biocompatibility of copolymers was evaluated using an endothelial EA.hy926 cell line by direct contact assay, before and after pre-treatment of copolymers with multicomponent protein mixture, as well as by a competitive blood-protein adsorption assay. The obtained results suggested good blood compatibility of synthesized copolymers. All copolymers exhibited good resistance to fibrinogen adsorption and all favored albumin adsorption. Copolymers based on hydroxyethoxypropyl-PDMS had lower hydrophobicity, higher surface free energy, and better microphase separation in comparison with hydroxypropyl-PDMS-based copolymers, which promoted better endothelial cell attachment and growth on the surface of these polymers as compared to hydroxypropyl-PDMS-based copolymers. The results showed that SPU-PDMS copolymers display good surface properties, depending on the type of soft PDMS segments, which can be tailored for biomedical application requirements such as biomedical devices for short- and long-term uses.
Highlights
Introduction ofPDMS soft segment or siloxane based chain extenders into polyurethanes has led to the development of materials such as commercial polyether/PDMS based SPUs, i.e., Elast-EonTM 2 and 3, which comprise groups of very flexible high and low modulus SPU copolymers, respectively [1]
The results of the current study show that the type of soft PDMS segments in the copolymers plays an important role in protein adsorption and endothelial cell adhesion onto the copolymer surfaces
The higher surface energy and good microphase separation may partially account for a better hemocompatibility of copolymers based on EO-PDMS compared to HP-PDMS based copolymers
Summary
Introduction ofPDMS soft segment or siloxane based chain extenders into polyurethanes has led to the development of materials such as commercial polyether/PDMS based SPUs, i.e., Elast-EonTM 2 and 3, which comprise groups of very flexible high and low modulus SPU copolymers, respectively [1]. The properties of SPUs surfaces are utmost important due to their role in thrombosis and inflammatory response. Surface properties such as topography, surface free energy, surface composition, and chemistry of SPUs can greatly influence its protein adsorption, cell attachment and its biocompatibility [14,15,16,17,18]. In our previous works [16,17,18], we have found that microphase separation, surface roughness and soft segment content represent the most important properties influencing endothelial cell adhesion and protein adsorption
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