A Material Conferring Hemocompatibility.
There is a need for biomimetic materials for use in blood-contacting devices. Blood contacting surfaces maintain their patency through physico-chemical properties of a functional endothelium. A poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (PCU) is used as a base material to examine the feasibility of L-Arginine methyl ester (L-AME) functionalized material for use in implants and coatings. The study hypothesizes that L-AME, incorporated into PCU, functions as a bioactive porogen, releasing upon contact with blood to interact with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) present in blood. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) were successfully cultured on L-AME functionalized material, indicating that L-AME -increases cell viability. L-AME functionalized material potentially has broad applications in blood-contacting medical devices, as well as various other applications requiring endogenous up-regulation of nitric oxide, such as wound healing. This study presents an in-vitro investigation to demonstrate the novel anti-thrombogenic properties of L-AME, when in solution and when present within a polyurethane-based polymer.
Centre for Nanotechnology &Regenerative Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
William
W
Everett
Interface and Surface Analysis Centre, Boots Science Building, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK.
David J
DJ
Scurr
Centre for Nanotechnology &Regenerative Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
Anna
A
Rammou
Centre for Nanotechnology &Regenerative Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
Arnold
A
Darbyshire
Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust Hospital, London, UK.
George
G
Hamilton
Centre for Nanotechnology &Regenerative Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
Achala
A
de Mel