Application of immunoperoxidase method to electron microscopic observation of plasma protein on polymer surface

The immunoperoxidase technique was applied to observe the electron microscopic presence of human plasma protein on a polymer surface. Two types of polymer material, i.e., Dacron and a newly synthesized heparinized hydrophilic polymer (H-RSD, Toray Industries, Inc.), showed different reactions to human plasma proteins. The hydrophobic Dacron showed a decreased affinity for plasma albumin, but a greater affinity for fibrinogen, alpha 1-lipoprotein, and beta-lipoprotein when compared to H-RSD. The thrombo-resistant H-RSD showed a relatively strong affinity for albumin, but in a spotty or focal manner. Most of the H-RSD surface did not adsorb albumin. Fibrinogen adsorption was observed in areas smaller than albumin adsorption. The adsorption of fibrinogen appeared to occur through certain material. The alpha 1-lipoprotein and beta-lipoprotein were not adsorbed on the H-RSD. The immunoperoxidase method is a sensitive and useful technique in studying the interactions between plasma proteins and the surface of polymer materials.