TecoflexTM functionalization by curdlan and its effect on protein adsorption and bacterial and tissue cell adhesion.

Curdlan modified polyurethane was created by physically entrapping the former on TecoflexTM surface. ATR-FT-IR, SEM-EDAX and AFM analysis revealed the formation of stable thin curdlan layer on the film. Contact-angle measurements showed that the modified film was highly hydrophilic. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed the existence of entrapped layer of approximately 20-25 microm in depth. Surface entrapment of curdlan minimized both protein adsorption and mouse L929 fibroblast cell adhesion relative to the control. Surface induced cellular inflammatory response was determined from the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, by measuring their mRNA profiles in the cells using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) normalized to the housekeeping gene GAPDH. The inflammatory response was suppressed on the modified substrate as expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was found to be up regulated on TecoflexTM, while it was significantly lower on curdlan substrate. The adhesion of S. aureus decreased by 62% on curdlan modified surface. Using such simple surface entrapment process, it will be possible to develop well-defined surface modifications that promote specific cell interactions and perhaps better performance in the long-term as implant.