Human monocyte adhesion onto RGD and PHSRN peptides delivered to the surface of a polycarbonate polyurethane using bioactive fluorinated surface modifiers.

Fluorinated oligomers, when blended into polyurethane, have been shown to migrate to the surface and generate an interface that minimizes protein denaturation and reduces cell activation. This type of surface modification can be achieved with ppm quantities of a bioactive fluorinated surface modifier (BFSM), enabling the introduction of bioactive agents onto a surface in one manufacturing step. In the current study, two BFSMs were synthesized with covalently conjugated RGD and PHSRN peptides near the fluorine terminal groups, and were shown to be surface active in polyurethane blends. CyQuant cell enumeration, scanning electron microscopy, and cell viability assays all indicated that the bioactive (and fluorinated) substrates supported enhanced monocyte interaction. The simplicity of the surface modification technique and the demonstrated ability of the peptide BFSMs to influence cell attachment and spreading indicate the potential benefits and practical value of the BFSM technology in tailoring surfaces for biomaterial applications. This was specifically highlighted for human blood monocytes, a key cell involved in the early stages of wound healing. Copyright 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.