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Engineering Surfaces with Immune Modulating Properties of Mucin Hydrogels
Kun Jiang1,2,3, Xueyu Wen1, Torbjörn Pettersson4
1Division of Glycoscience, Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 24, 2022
Summary
Mucin glycoproteins immobilized on material surfaces (Muc-film) can modulate immune responses, mimicking properties of mucin hydrogels (Muc-gel). Substrate properties influence mucin bioactivity, impacting macrophage behavior for improved biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Cross-linked mucin glycoproteins (Muc-gel) exhibit immune-modulating properties, reducing foreign body response in vivo.
- These beneficial immune properties could enhance various biomaterials like sensors and implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate transferring mucin bioactivity from 3D hydrogels to 2D material surfaces.
- To assess how surface immobilization of mucin affects macrophage responses compared to 3D mucin hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Covalent layer-by-layer assembly used to immobilize mucin onto thin films (Muc-film).
- Macrophage responses were analyzed on Muc-film-coated soft polyacrylamide gels and hard polystyrene.
- Comparison of gene expression for inflammatory cytokines and M1/M2 macrophage polarization markers.
Main Results:
- Muc-films on soft gels replicated Muc-gel's immune modulation: initial cytokine activation followed by dampening.
- Macrophage polarization markers (M1/M2) were similar on Muc-film-coated soft gels and Muc-gel.
- Muc-films on hard polystyrene showed distinct macrophage responses, lacking cytokine activation and differing in M1 marker expression.
Conclusions:
- Mucin's immune-modulating properties can be transferred to material surfaces via immobilization.
- Substrate's mechanical properties and mucin configuration significantly influence mucin's bioactivity.
- Surface immobilization of mucin offers a strategy for developing advanced biomaterials with tailored immune responses.
