Hemocompatibility of polyampholyte copolymers with well-defined charge bias in human blood

In this work, the hemocompatibility of polyampholyte copolymers from the mixed-charge copolymerization of negatively charged 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate (SA) and positively charged [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium (TMA) was studied. Charge-bias variation of the prepared poly(SA-co-TMA) copolymers can be controlled using the regulated SA and TMA monomer ratio via homogeneous free radical copolymerization. A systematic study of how charge-bias variations in poly(SA-co-TMA) copolymers affect the hemocompatibility in human blood plasma was reported. The hydrodynamic size of prepared polymers and copolymers is determined to illustrate the correlations between intermolecular cationic/anionic associations and the blood compatibility of polySA, poly(SA-co-TMA), and polyTMA suspensions in human blood plasma. It was found that the protein resistance and hydration capability of prepared copolymers can be effectively controlled by regulating the charge balance of the SA/TMA compositions in poly(SA-co-TMA). The results suggest that polyampholyte copolymers of poly(SA-co-TMA) with overall charge neutrality have a high hydration capability and the best antifouling, anticoagulant, and antihemolytic activities as well as zwitterionic sulfobetaine-based homopolymers when in contact with blood plasma at human body temperature.