Influence of Photocatalysis on Blood Cell Attachment over Protein-Immobilized Polystyrene Surfaces Modified with a...

In the present study, thrombocytes, erythrocytes, and leukocytes were individually brought into contact with different immobilized blood proteins on the surface of polystyrene (PS), which was modified with a poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) copolymer. When the concentration of fibronectin was greater than 5 μg mL^-1, the attachment of erythrocytes increased, which indicated that the modified PS surface was less compatible with erythrocytes. In addition, vitronectin and laminin attached on the surface increased the adhesion of thrombocytes; higher adhesion was observed for leukocytes in the cases of fibrinogen, lysozyme, and laminin. Interestingly, adhesion properties of blood cells on the protein surface could be influenced by the addition of metal oxide- and carbon-based photocatalysts. After a photocatalytic treatment by metal oxide-based TiO₂, the adhesion amounts of erythrocytes improved slightly, whereas the adhesion of leukocytes and thrombocytes decreased after treatment with a carbon-based g-C₃N₄ nanosheet. Our results suggested that the surface modification of the substrate through photocatalysis using various photocatalysts along with the grafting of the poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) copolymer could be a promising approach to alternatively control the blood compatibility on the protein surface.