title: Bacterial adhesion, cell adhesion and biocompatibility of Nafion films.
abstract: We investigated bioadhesion (bacterial and cell adhesion) and biocompatibility of poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro-3,6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octenesulfonic acid) (Nafion) and compared the results with those obtained with poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVFHFP). When incubated with bacteria for 4 h to 7 days, Nafion film exhibited scarce bacterial adhesion at 6 h, after which the adhesion gradually increasing to relatively low levels. In contrast, significant bacterial adhesion to PVFHFP film was observed at 4 h, and much higher adhesion levels were shown thereafter. Although HEp-2 human cells adhered normally to both films, reaching confluence in 7-8 days, the cells adhered to Nafion appeared more lively and stable than those to PVFHFP. Subcutaneous implantation in mice revealed that Nafion elicited a mild acute inflammatory reaction without chronic inflammation or tissue necrosis, indicating excellent biocompatibility in mice. PVFHFP, however, provoked a moderate and prolonged acute inflammatory response. These differences in the biological characteristics of Nafion and PVFHFP films may be attributable to the differences in the chemical and physical natures of these polymer films. Nafion film provided a sufficiently solid support, expressing a high surface charge density and good water-wettability. In summary, Nafion is suitable for use in biomedical applications that require biocompatibility with a reduced possibility of post-operative infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ree
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014867:Water; C024865:polyvinylidene fluoride; C040402:perfluorosulfonic acid