title: Dose-dependent surface endothelialization and biocompatibility of polyurethane noble metal nanocomposites.
abstract: Surface pre-endothelialization is a promising approach to improve the hemocompatibility of implants, medical devices, and artificial organs. To promote the adhesive property of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for endothelial cells (ECs), up to 1 wt % of gold (Au) or platinum (Pt) nanoparticles, fabricated by pulsed laser ablation in polymer solution, were embedded into the polymer matrix. The analysis of these nanocomposites showed a homogenous dispersion of the nanoparticles, with average diameters of 7 nm for Au or 9 nm for Pt. A dose-dependent effect was found when ECs were seeded onto nanocomposites comprising different nanoparticle concentrations, resulting in a fivefold improvement of proliferation at 0.1 wt % nanoparticle load. This effect was associated with a nanoparticle concentration-dependent hydrophilicity and negative charge of the nanocomposite. In dynamic flow tests, nanocomposites containing 0.1 wt % Au or Pt nanoparticles allowed for the generation of a confluent and resistant EC layer. Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of specific markers for EC activation indicated that ECs cultivated on nanocomposites remain in an inactivated, nonthrombogenic and noninflammatory state; however, maintain the ability to trigger an inflammatory response upon stimulation. These findings were confirmed by a platelet and leukocyte adhesion assay. The results of this study suggest the possible applicability of TPU nanocomposites, containing 0.1 wt % Au or Pt nanoparticles, for the generation of pre-endothelialized surfaces of medical devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic, Transplant and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwenke
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wagener
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franzka
authors.forename: Csaba
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laszlo Sajti
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pflaum
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wiegmann
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haverich
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barcikowski
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes; D010984:Platinum; D006046:Gold
keywords: biomedical application; cell adhesion and proliferation; endothelialization; metal nanoparticles; nanocomposites