Immobilization Of Heparin Research Articles

Enhanced vascularization in hybrid PCL/gelatin fibrous scaffolds with sustained release of VEGF.

Creating a long-lasting and functional vasculature represents one of the most fundamental challenges in tissue engineering. VEGF has been widely accepted as a potent angiogenic factor involved in the early stages of blood vessel formation. In this study, fibrous scaffolds that consist of PCL and gelatin fibers were fabricated. The gelatin fibers were further functionalized by heparin immobilization, which provides binding sites for VEGF and thus enables the sustained release of VEGF. In vitro release test confirms the sustained releasing profile of VEGF, and stable release was observed over a time period of 25 days. In vitro cell assay indicates that VEGF release significantly promoted the proliferation of endothelial cells. More importantly, in vivo subcutaneous implantation reflects that vascularization has been effectively enhanced in the PCL/gelatin scaffolds compared with the PCL counterpart due to the sustained release of VEGF. Therefore, the heparinized PCL/gelatin scaffolds developed in this study may be a promising candidate for regeneration of complex tissues with sufficient vascularization.

Cooperative control of blood compatibility and re-endothelialization by immobilized heparin and substrate topography

A wide variety of environmental cues provided by the extracellular matrix, including biophysical and biochemical cues, are responsible for vascular cell behavior and function. In particular, substrate topography and surface chemistry have been shown to regulate blood and vascular compatibility individually. The combined impact of chemical and topographic cues on blood and vascular compatibility, and the interplay between these two types of cues, are subjects that are currently being explored. In the present study, a facile polydopamine-mediated approach is introduced for immobilization of heparin on topographically patterned substrates, and the combined effects of these cues on blood compatibility and re-endothelialization are systematically investigated. The results show that immobilized heparin and substrate topography cooperatively modulate anti-coagulation activity, endothelial cell (EC) attachment, proliferation, focal adhesion formation and endothelial marker expression. Meanwhile, the substrate topography is the primary determinant of cell alignment and elongation, driving in vivo-like endothelial organization. Importantly, combining immobilized heparin with substrate topography empowers substantially greater competitive ability of ECs over smooth muscle cells than each cue individually. Moreover, a model is proposed to elucidate the cooperative interplay between immobilized heparin and substrate topography in regulating cell behavior.

Construction of mussel-inspired coating via the direct reaction of catechol and polyethyleneimine for efficient heparin immobilization

Dopamine could self-polymerize to form the coating on various substrates and the co-existence of catechols and amines was crucial in performing such polymerization process. In this work, a mimetic approach of coating formation was carried out based on the co-polymerization of catechol (CA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). Mussel-inspired CA/PEI coating was deposited on 316L stainless steel (SS). Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrated the successful coating formation. QCM measurement showed good affinity of heparin immobilization on CA/PEI coating surface ascribed to the amine groups. Herein, vascular cell-material interactions like endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were also investigated. Interestingly, CA/PEI and heparin modified coatings presented no cytotoxicity to ECs, however to a certain extent, decreased SMCs proliferation. Moreover, heparin-binding surface presented significant anti-platelet adhesion and activation properties. These results effectively suggested that the mussel-inspired CA/PEI coating might be promising when served as a platform for biomolecule immobilization.

Click-coated, heparinized, decellularized vascular grafts

A novel method enabling the engineering of a dense and appropriately oriented heparin-containing layer on decellularized aortas has been developed. Amino groups of decellularized aortas were first modified to azido groups using 3-azidobenzoic acid. Azide-clickable dendrons were attached onto the azido groups through “alkyne–azide” click chemistry, affording a tenfold amplification of adhesions sites. Dendron end groups were finally decorated with end-on modified heparin chains. Heparin chains were oriented like heparan sulfate groups on native endothelial cells surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesis steps, building the final heparin layered coatings. The continuity of the heparin coating was verified using fluorescent microscopy and histological analysis. The efficacy of heparin linkage was demonstrated with factor Xa anti-thrombogenic assay and platelet adhesion studies. The results suggest that oriented heparin immobilization to decellularized aortas may improve the in vivo blood compatibility of decellularized aortas and vessels.

Microwave-assisted immobilization of heparin onto polyurethane surface for improving blood compatibility

Heparin was covalently immobilized onto polyurethane surface via a PEG spacer by a microwave-assisted approach to improve blood compatibility. Firstly, amino-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (APEG) was rapidly grafted onto PU surface within 20 min by a two-step method involving microwave-assisted MDI-functionalization and subsequent microwave-assisted APEG coupling. Then, heparin was covalently immobilized through an amide linkage by the direct coupling of the carboxylic acid of heparin with the amino group of APEG on PU surface using carbodiimide coupling reaction. The surface structure and properties were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and water contact angle measurements. The results revealed that heparin-immobilized PU surface had slightly increased roughness and significantly improved hydrophilicity in comparison to the original PU surface. The anticoagulant activity of films was evaluated by whole blood clotting time (CT) and prothrombin time (PT). Complement activation was assessed by detecting complement fragment 3a concentrations of serum exposed to the films. The results revealed that the microwave-assisted heparin-immobilized PU films had excellent antithrombogenicity and suppressed complement activation, indicating improved blood compatibility.

Facile immobilization of heparin on bioabsorbable iron via mussel adhesive protein (MAPs)

Motivated by adhesive proteins in mussels, strategies using dopamine to modified surface have become particularly attractive. In the present work, we developed a novel and convenient method to modify the biodegradable Fe plates with heparin. Iron was first treated by a facile one-step pH-induced polymerization of dopamine, and then a high density heparin was successfully grafted onto the surface via coupling with polydopamine (PDA) active layer. Heparin immobilization contributed much longer blood clotting coagulation time than the pure Fe sample, and hence reduced the risk of thrombosis. Cell viability tests suggested that the heparin modified Fe plates were more favorable to the proliferation of ECV304 cells. In summary, the heparin modified Fe plates with good anti-thrombus properties and inhibiting the proliferation of VSMC cells provide great prospects for biodegradable iron.

Immobilization of heparin onto the novel cellulose:chitosan vascular grafts: A preliminary study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prepare a compliant cellulose:chitosan hollow tube (with 6 mm in internal diameter), to be used as a coronary bypass graft, and to investigate its ability to covalently immobilize heparin onto its surface. Method: Cellulose and chitosan solutions were mixed in equal proportions, spread in an appropriate mold and allowed to solidify for 24 hours, where a hollow tube was obtained. Heparin was covalently immobilized onto these hollow tubes, where the results were compared with that of a plain cellulose one. In addition, a correlation between the heparin concentration and the immobilization efficiency was investigated. Results: The presence of chitosan was essential for the heparin immobilization onto the cellulose:chitosan hollow tubes as no heparin was immobilized onto the plain cellulose ones. The immobilization density showed to be linearly dependent upon the concentration of the activated heparin, where a maximum concentration of 4 mg/mL was reached. Higher concentrations of activated heparin did not provide a greater immobilization density, which indicates that the amine groups of chitosan have been saturated. Conclusion: The cellulose:chitosan hollow tubes were successfully prepared, where the presence of chitosan was required for an efficient immobilization of heparin. The obtained heparin-immobilized cellulose:chitosan hollow tube, with its mechanically strong, reasonably compliant and antithrombogenic properties seems to be a good candidate to be used as a vascular bypass graft.

Mussel-inspired one-step adherent coating rich in amine groups for covalent immobilization of heparin: hemocompatibility, growth behaviors of vascular cells, and tissue response.

Heparin, an important polysaccharide, has been widely used for coatings of cardiovascular devices because of its multiple biological functions including anticoagulation and inhibition of intimal hyperplasia. In this study, surface heparinization of a commonly used 316L stainless steel (SS) was explored for preparation of a multifunctional vascular stent. Dip-coating of the stents in an aqueous solution of dopamine and hexamethylendiamine (HD) (PDAM/HD) was presented as a facile method to form an adhesive coating rich in primary amine groups, which was used for covalent heparin immobilization via active ester chemistry. A heparin grafting density of about 900 ng/cm(2) was achieved with this method. The retained bioactivity of the immobilized heparin was confirmed by a remarkable prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) for about 15 s, suppression of platelet adhesion, and prevention of the denaturation of adsorbed fibrinogen. The Hep-PDAM/HD also presented a favorable microenvironment for selectively enhancing endothelial cell (EC) adhesion, proliferation, migration and release of nitric oxide (NO), and at the same time inhibiting smooth muscle cell (SMC) adhesion and proliferation. Upon subcutaneous implantation, the Hep-PDAM/HD exhibited mitigated tissue response, with thinner fibrous capsule and less granulation formation compared to the control 316L SS. This number of unique functions qualifies the heparinized coating as an attractive alternative for the design of a new generation of stents.

Facile conjugation of heparin onto titanium surfaces via dopamine inspired coatings for improving blood compatibility

Immobilization of heparin on biomaterials surface has been proven to be an effective strategy for preventing thrombus formation. However, the procedures of most immobilization methods (physical adsorption, covalent linkage, electrostatic interaction) are complicated and time-consuming. In the present study, heparin with various concentrations immobilized on a titanium (Ti) substrate via polydopamine layer for improving blood compatibility was investigated. Water contact angle measurement showed that the immobilization of heparin resulted in an increase of the hydrophilicity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Toluidine Blue O (TBO) tests displayed that the heparin molecules were successfully immobilized on Ti surface. The evaluations of blood compatibility (hemolysis rate, APTT, platelet adhesion and activation, fibrinogen conformational change) showed that the immobilization of heparin decreased hemolysis rate, prolonged blood coagulation time, reduced platelets adhesion and activation, and induced less fibrinogen conformational change. Moreover, a significant inhibition of blood coagulation and platelet adhesion was obtained when the heparin concentration was higher than 5 mg/mL, indicating that only with a certain surface densities could heparin perform its anticoagulant properties well. The results suggest that the immobilization of heparin via polydopamine layer can confer excellent antithrombotic properties, and the heparin immobilization method via polydopamine layer provides an alternative approach for other biomolecules immobilization on biomaterials surface. Thus it is envisaged that this method will be potentially useful for the surface modification of blood-contacting biomaterials.

Development of thrombus-resistant and cell compatible crimped polyethylene terephthalate cardiovascular grafts using surface co-immobilized heparin and collagen

Short-term patency of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cardiovascular grafts is determined mainly by the inherent thrombogenicity and improper endothelialization following grafts implantation. The aim of the present study was to immobilize heparin to develop thrombus resistant grafts. Additionally, collagen was co-immobilized to enhance the host cell compatibility. The synthetic woven and knitted forms of crimped PET grafts were surface modified by Denier reduction to produce functional carboxyl groups. The produced groups were used as anchor sites for covalent immobilization of heparin or co-immobilization of heparin/collagen by the end-point method. The modified surface was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The biological activity of immobilized molecules was investigated in vitro using direct blood coagulation test, and “platelet deposition under flow condition. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of modified grafts with host cells was assessed using L929 cell as model. All modified grafts showed significant resistance against fibrin and clot formation. The number of deposited platelets on heparin-immobilized woven and knitted grafts obviously decreased by 3 fold and 2.8 fold per unit surface area respectively, while the heparin/collagen co-immobilized grafts showed only a decrease by 1.7 and 1.8 fold compared to unmodified PET. Heparin-immobilized grafts reported no significant effect on L929 cells adhesion and growth (P>0.05), conversely, collagen co-immobilization considerably increased cell adhesion almost ~1.3 fold and 2 fold per unit surface area for woven and knitted grafts respectively. Our results emphasize that immobilization of heparin minimized the inherent thrombogenicity of the PET grafts. The simultaneous co-immobilization of collagen supported host cell adhesion and growth required for the grafts biocompatibility.

Improved hemocompatibility of silk fibroin fabric using layer‐by‐layer polyelectrolyte deposition and heparin immobilization

ABSTRACTSilk fibroin has long been used as implantable surgical sutures and it has acceptable mechanical properties and patency rates in animal models and in clinical end‐uses. However, fibroin has been shown to be hemolytic and can cause damage to red blood cells. So to be used as an implantable vascular prosthesis its hemocompatibility needs to be improved. This study has taken two sequential steps to address this problem. First, to create a positively charged layer on the fibroin fibers' surface, a 1.5 and 2.5 bilayers polyelectrolyte surface deposition layer‐by‐layer technique was used with the positive counterion poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and the negative counterion poly(acrylic acid). Second, negatively charged low molecular weight heparin was then immobilized on these positively charged self‐assembled surfaces. The presence of the heparin was confirmed with Alcian Blue staining and a toluidine blue assay, and the increased roughness and hydrophilicity of the modified surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy. In addition, a negligible hemolytic effect, reduced protein adsorption, and a higher concentration of free hemoglobin measured by a kinetic clotting time test were found to be enhanced with the use of 2.5 bilayers compared to the 1.5 bilayers self‐assembly technique. Given the success of these preliminary results, it is anticipated that this novel approach of surface modification and heparin immobilization will demonstrate long‐term patency during future animal trials of small caliber silk fibroin vascular grafts. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40772.

Preparing silk fibroin nanofibers through electrospinning: further heparin immobilization toward hemocompatibility improvement.

Sodium heparin (HS) was immobilized on the surface of the silk fibroin nanofibers (FS) prepared by electrospinning with the objective of improving the hemocompatibility of the fibers for application as scaffolds in tissue engineering. The nanofiber mats of silk fibroin without (MF-FS) and with (MF-FS/HS) immobilized heparin were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), contact angle, chemical analysis, and biological tests. The formation of hydrogen bonds between the silk fibroin and heparin was discussed based on FTIR-ATR spectra. The amount of immobilized heparin was quantified through papain/N-acetyl-l-cysteine digestion followed by dimethylmethylene blue complexation. Furthermore, the samples with immobilized HS showed higher hydrophilic capability compared to samples without HS due to lower contact angles. It was possible to verify that the capillary end-to-collector distance of 8.5 cm and flow rate of 0.35 mL h(-1) used in the electrospinning process at 20 kV are good conditions for obtaining a small average fiber diameter maintaining the amount of immobilized heparin on MF-FS/HS in ca. 4% w/w. Biological analysis showed that no hemolysis is provoked by MF-FS and MF-FS/HS mat fragments and those such mats are not toxic to Vero cells. However, the MF-FS/HS showed higher cell growth and proliferation than MF-FS, indicating an improvement in the hemocompatibility of the material due to heparin immobilization.

Influence of Layer-by-Layer Polyelectrolyte Deposition and EDC/NHS Activated Heparin Immobilization onto Silk Fibroin Fabric.

To enhance the hemocompatibility of silk fibroin fabric as biomedical material, polyelectrolytes architectures have been assembled through the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique on silk fibroin fabric (SFF). In particular, 1.5 and 2.5 bilayer of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes were assembled onto SFF using poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) as polycationic polymer and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as polyanionic polymer with PAH topmost. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) activated with 1-ethyl-3-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) was then immobilized on its surface. Alcian Blue staining, toluidine blue assay and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the presence of heparin on modified SFF surfaces. The surface morphology of the modified silk fibroin fabric surfaces was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and obtained increased roughness. Negligible hemolytic effect and a higher concentration of free hemoglobin by a kinetic clotting time test ensured the improved biological performance of the modified fibroin fabric. Overall, the deposition of 2.5 bilayer was found effective in terms of biological and surface properties of the modified fibroin fabric compared to 1.5 bilayer self-assembly technique. Therefore, this novel approach to surface modification may demonstrate long term patency in future in vivo animal trials of small diameter silk fibroin vascular grafts.

Heparin surfaces: Impact of immobilization chemistry on hemocompatibility and protein adsorption

Immobilization of heparin to surfaces has been used for decades to reduce the thrombogenicity of blood contacting devices. This study evaluates how the mode of covalent heparin bonding affects the hemocompatibility and uptake of antithrombin on surfaces in whole blood. End-point attached (EPA) heparin, using the proprietary Carmeda Bioactive Surface (CBAS Surface), was compared with other methods of covalent heparin bonding that typically yield multiple covalent linkages (using reductive amination of periodate oxidized native heparin or EDC coupling of native heparin). All heparin surfaces were immobilized on flexible polyvinyl chloride tubing and exposed to fresh non-anticoagulated blood in an in vitro recirculating Chandler loop blood model. After exposure, biomarkers for coagulation and platelet activation were analyzed in the solution phase, and adsorbed plasma proteins were eluted from the heparin surfaces and measured for surface concentration of antithrombin and total adsorbed protein. Only the EPA-heparin surface conferred thromboresistance, as observed by the absence of clotting. Attachment and activation of platelets as well as activation of the clotting cascade was significantly lower on the EPA-heparin surface when compared with the other heparin surfaces. In addition, antithrombin constituted ∼40% of the total adsorbed plasma protein concentration on the EPA-heparin surfaces.

Route to hemocompatible polyethersulfone membranes via surface aminolysis and heparinization

Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes with improved hemocompatibility were prepared via solid–liquid interface aminolysis and heparinization. Reactive amino groups were generated by immersing solid PES membranes in proper diamine solution. Heparin was covalent immobilized on the surface via amide bond. The feasibility of surface aminolysis for the introduction of amino groups and the effectiveness for further heparin immobilization were confirmed by surface group analysis. The effect of aminolysis time on surface amino group concentration and bulk mechanical properties was investigated. The surface amino group concentration determined the amount and bioactivity of immobilized heparin chains. SEM images suggested that both the aminolysis and heparinization reaction had little effect on the surface morphology of PES membranes. Contact angle measurement, surface charge analysis, protein and platelet adsorption/adhesion experiment were applied to study the surface properties. The results showed that the heparinized PES membranes displayed enhanced hydrophilicity and hemocompatibility, indicating potential application in blood purification and other blood contacting fields.

Blood compatibility and interaction with endothelial cells of titanium modified by sequential immobilization of poly (ethylene glycol) and heparin.

In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and heparin were sequentially immobilized on a titanium surface by the carbodiimide covalent coupling method with the aim to improve the blood compatibility of titanium and enhance endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation. The results of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that PEG and heparin were successfully immobilized on the titanium surface. Compared to the pristine titanium, a highly hydrophilic layer was achieved after the immobilization, and the resulting heparin-PEG layer can significantly prevent human plasma fibrinogen adsorption. Analysis of platelet attachment to the modified surfaces, via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showed strikingly fewer platelets attached to the PEG and heparin modified surfaces, compared to the control. The immobilized PEG and heparin effectively prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and inhibit platelet activation significantly. Furthermore, the modified samples showed good cytocompatibility. Endothelial cells exhibited improved proliferative profiles in terms of a CCK-8 assay, as compared to those on the pristine titanium. The modified samples showed a better endothelial cell adhesion and spreading, than the pristine titanium. Therefore, the blood compatibility and cytocompatibility of the titanium surface can be enhanced by PEG immobilization and further, by subsequent heparin grafting. It could be concluded that the negatively charged heparin-PEG layer with excellent hydrophilicity could obviously improve the blood compatibility and enhance the endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation, and the approach of the present study is considered as an effective method to improve the hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of biomaterials.

Application of layer-by-layer coatings to tissue scaffolds - development of an angiogenic biomaterial.

Tissue engineered materials aimed at wound care typically underperform due to poor engrafting to the wound bed. The need for such materials will continue to intensify as a result of an ageing population and an increase in patients suffering from vascular problems. Here we describe the development of an angiogenic coating strategy employing a combination of plasma phase deposition of acrylic acid and layer-by-layer (LBL) chemistry using polyethyleneimine and poly(acrylic acid) for the immobilization of heparin and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The formation of the coating and its ability to immobilize heparin was examined by Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic Force Microscopy were used to confirm that these coatings retained a significant amount of heparin on the surface when applied to a flat substrate. The coating strategy was transferred to 2 different tissue scaffold architectures: a commercially available non-biodegradable polypropylene mesh, and a biodegradable electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold. XPS confirmed that the coating was successfully applied to the scaffolds and that a similar amount of heparin was immobilized. In vitro testing showed that while HDMEC readily attached to the PLGA scaffold, they were inhibited from adhering and forming proliferative colonies where heparin alone was attached to the LBL coated PLGA scaffold. However, after dip coating with VEGF, the heparin coated scaffold supported both attachment and colony growth of HDMEC; no such colony formation occurred in the absence of VEGF.

Simultaneous immobilization of heparin and gentamicin on polypropylene textiles: A dual therapeutic activity

The aim of this work was to prepare a nonwoven polypropylene (PP) textile functionalized with bioactive molecules in order to improve simultaneously anticoagulation and antibacterial properties. The immobilization of either heparin (anticoagulation agent) or gentamicin (aminoglycoside class antibiotic) alone has already been proven to be effective on PP nonwoven textiles. In this work, we managed to go further, by immobilizing both heparin and gentamicin at the same time on one unique textile. A successive immersion in different heparin and gentamicin bathes successfully led to a dual drug coated textile, as confirmed by several characterization techniques (Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy). The immobilization times were varied in order to determine the best compromise between cytocompatibility, anticoagulant effect, and antimicrobial activity. Short immersion times in gentamicin solutions confer very good antimicrobial activity to the textile and avoid cytotoxicity, whereas long immersion times in heparin solution were necessary to observe a significant anticoagulant effect.

Preparation and evaluation of heparin-immobilized poly (lactic acid) (PLA) membrane for hemodialysis

Bio-based poly (lactic acid) membrane with asymmetric porous structure was developed for hemodialysis via phase inversion for the first time. Heparin was immobilized to PLA membrane surface through the strong adhesion ability of dopamine, as confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) respectively. The morphologies variations of PLA membranes induced by dopamine coating and heparin immobilization were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Hydrophilicity and permeability of PLA membranes before and after modification were characterized. Particularly, platelet adsorption, plasma recalcification time and hemolysis ratio were executed to evaluate the blood compatibility of PLA membranes decorated by heparin. The in vitro results demonstrated that surface heparinization improved the hemocompatibility of PLA membrane, suppressed the adhesion of platelet, extended plasma recalcilication time, and also decreased hemolysis ratio. The dialysis simulation experiments including urea and lysozyme clearance as well as bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection were implemented to determine the dialysis performances. The results showed that 79% of urea and 18% of lysozyme were cleaned and over 90% of BSA was retained. This study disclosed a window of opportunity to produce novel hemodialysis membranes using bio-based materials.

Functionalization of gold surfaces with copoly(DMA-NAS-MAPS) by dip coating: Surface characterization and hybridization tests

In this work, a new method to functionalize a gold surface by dip coating with a functional copolymer is presented. The coating procedure is simple, robust and can be accomplished in less than one hour. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) scratch tests reveal the presence of a homogeneous polymer coating with a thickness of 2.5nm. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy spectra from C1s, N1s and O1s levels present the typical fingerprints of the polymeric overlayer, i.e. the characteristic peaks from CNCO and NCO groups.Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding assays were used to check the coating functional properties. Immobilization of heparin to SPR gold surfaces functionalized with copoly(DMA-NAS-MAPS)- followed by binding analysis with the well known heparin binding protein fibroblast growth factor 2 yield binding kinetic parameters comparable to those obtained with commercially available carboxymethyl dextran-functionalized sensorchips, thus confirming the great potential of the proposed technique.