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A Facile and Versatile Method to Endow Biomaterial Devices with Zwitterionic Surface Coatings
Volkan Yesilyurt1,2, Omid Veiseh1,3, Joshua C Doloff1,2
1David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|December 16, 2016
Summary
Zwitterionic phosphorylcholine polymer coatings reduce implant tissue reactions. Mussel-inspired thin films minimize fibrosis and foreign body responses in mice, improving biomaterial biocompatibility.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Implantable biomaterials often elicit adverse tissue reactions, including fibrosis and foreign body responses.
- Surface modification is crucial for enhancing the biocompatibility of medical implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mussel-mimetic catecholamine polymer thin film method for surface modification.
- To evaluate the efficacy of zwitterionic phosphorylcholine polymer coatings in reducing tissue reactions to biomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Surface modification of alginate hydrogel microspheres and polystyrene microbeads using catecholamine polymer thin films.
- In vivo assessment of tissue response and fibrosis in immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice.
Main Results:
- Successful surface modification of biomaterial microspheres was achieved.
- Reduced fibrosis and tissue reaction were observed in modified materials compared to controls.
- The zwitterionic phosphorylcholine polymer coating effectively minimized adverse biological responses.
Conclusions:
- Mussel-mimetic catecholamine polymer thin films provide an effective strategy for surface modification of biomaterials.
- Zwitterionic phosphorylcholine polymer coatings significantly reduce implant-associated fibrosis and improve biocompatibility.

