PEG-modified macroporous poly(glycidyl methacrylate) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) microspheres to reduce non-specific protein adsorption

To minimize non-specific protein adsorption on macroporous poly(glycidyl methacrylate) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) microspheres containing amino and/or carboxyl groups, the microspheres are coated with α,ω-bis-carboxy poly(ethylene glycol) and amino-terminated poly(ethylene glycol-co-propylene glycol) or α-methoxy-ω-amino poly(ethylene glycol). Adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA), γ-globulin, (125) I-BSA, pepsin, and chymotrypsin on neat and PEGylated microspheres is determined by UV-VIS spectroscopy of supernatants and eluates or by measurement of radioactivity in an ionization chamber. Neat and PEGylated microspheres adsorb 0.8-70% and 0.02-44% of protein, respectively.