[Interaction of platelets and cultured cells with polymers containing phospholipid polar groups]

To apply a polymer as biomaterials in a variety of medical field, the evaluations of its adaptability to various kinds of cells are necessary. Therefore, the present paper describes not only the interaction between new polymer materials having phospholipid moiety (MPC) and human epithelial cell (Ca. 9.22) but also the change of platelet function in contact with the material for a prolonged period. In many examples few cells are able to adhere or grow on the surface of high water content gels, similar phenomena are observed in the case of high MPC content copolymers. This result indicates that MPC copolymer tends to offer insufficient liquid structure on which cells are able to adhere and grow. Since the suspended cells which did not adhere on these MPC copolymers survive for prolonged incubation period, it is evident that the MPC copolymer has good compatibility to the cells, and is inadequate for the cell attachment. As the polymers containing polar head group of phospholipids suppress attachment or adhesion of platelets and Ca. 9.22 cells, the polymers are potentially useful for the nonthrombogenic materials and the coating of biosensor which is inserted and retained in the human body.