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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

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In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration
Published on: January 6, 2014
Interactions between human neutrophils and mucin-coated surfaces
Tomas Sandberg1, Jan Carlsson, Marjam Karlsson Ott
1Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Division of Surface Biotechnology, BMC, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden. tomas.sandberg@ytbioteknik.uu.se
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|October 18, 2008
Summary
Mucin coatings from different species effectively prevent neutrophil adhesion and activation on biomaterials. These findings highlight mucins
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Neutrophil adhesion to biomaterials can trigger inflammatory responses.
- Mucin coatings have shown potential in reducing this adhesion.
- Understanding the functional homology and surface-passivating effects of different mucins is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To corroborate the surface-passivating effects of bovine (BSM), porcine (PGM), and human (MG1) mucin coatings on biomaterial-induced neutrophil activation.
- To investigate the functional homology between different mucin species.
- To explore the relationship between cell adhesion, ROS release, and mucin surface shielding.
Main Methods:
- Neutrophil activation was assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) release.
- Cell adhesion and morphology were observed.
- Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was used to analyze mucin surface shielding.
- Different mucin coating thicknesses (expanded vs. compact) and combined mucin-serum coatings were evaluated.
Main Results:
- All tested mucin species (BSM, PGM, MG1) demonstrated strong surface-passivating effects, equally suppressing neutrophil adhesion and activation.
- Neutrophil activation markers (ROS release) correlated well with cell adhesion and morphology.
- Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) analysis indicated that efficient mucin surface shielding correlated with low neutrophil activation.
- Both thick expanded and thin compact mucin coatings exhibited similar shielding power.
- Combined mucin-serum coatings were highly surface-passivating, suggesting synergistic effects.
Conclusions:
- Bovine, porcine, and human mucins exhibit functional homology in their ability to passivate biomaterial surfaces against neutrophil adhesion and activation.
- Mucin coatings effectively reduce material-induced neutrophil responses, as indicated by suppressed ROS release.
- The shielding efficiency of mucins is maintained across different coating thicknesses.
- Combined mucin-serum coatings offer enhanced surface passivation, with potential synergistic interactions.
- Pre-adsorbed mucins may provide a favorable surface for adsorbing beneficial host components, paving the way for improved biomaterial design.
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