Yuuki Inoue

Reduction of protein adsorption on well-characterized polymer brush layers with varying chemical structures

To clarify protein adsorption behavior on polymer brush layers, surface characteristics and protein adsorption repellency on polymer brush layers should be precisely determined. Here, we clearly delineated the chemical structure of the polymer brush layers containing various hydrophilic groups, namely, phosphorylcholine, sulfoxybetaine, carboxybetaine (zwitterionic), and hydroxyl group (nonionic) and examined the effects of the chemical structure on initial protein adsorption behavior. Kinetic analysis performed during surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization revealed that graft polymerization proceeded in a living manner. The graft density of each type of polymer chain and its surface coverage were high enough to form dense polymer brush structures. The hydroxyl group-bearing polymer brush structure exhibited the highest graft density. Among the zwitterionic polymer brush structures, the graft density and surface coverage of sulfoxybetaine- and carboxybetaine-bearing polymer chains were higher than those of the phosphorylcholine-bearing polymer chains. The amount of protein relative to 100% serum adsorbed on polymer brush layers was quantified using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Protein adsorption on all zwitterionic polymer brush layers apparently decreased with increasing thickness of the grafted polymer layers. Protein adsorption was highly suppressed on thick polymer brush layers bearing phosphorylcholine or sulfoxybetaine groups. However, the amount of proteins adsorbed on thick polymer brush layers bearing hydroxyl groups was 10 times more than that adsorbed on polymer brush layers bearing phosphorylcholine groups. Thus, we concluded that the chemical structure of the polymer brush layer is a significant factor affecting resistance to protein adsorption even for dense polymer brush structures.

Inducing Rapid Cellular Response on RGD-Binding Threaded Macromolecular Surfaces

The rapid response of integrin β1 molecules to an RGD peptide on a dynamic polyrotaxane surface was successfully induced. As a result, RGD peptides introduced on a highly dynamic cyclodextrin molecule enhanced the frequency of contact with specific integrin molecules on the cell membrane at the early stage of material-cell interactions.

Novel polymer biomaterials and interfaces inspired from cell membrane functions.

BACKGROUND Materials with excellent biocompatibility on interfaces between artificial system and biological system are needed to develop any equipments and devices in bioscience, bioengineering and medicinal science. Suppression of unfavorable biological response on the interface is most important for understanding real functions of biomolecules on the surface. So, we should design and prepare such biomaterials. SCOOP OF REVIEW: One of the best ways to design the biomaterials is generated from mimicking a cell membrane structure. It is composed of a phospholipid bilayered membrane and embedded proteins and polysaccharides. The surface of the cell membrane-like structure is constructed artificially by molecular integration of phospholipid polymer as platform and conjugated biomolecules. Here, it is introduced as the effectiveness of biointerface with highly biological functions observed on artificial cell membrane structure. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Reduction of nonspecific protein adsorption is essential for suppression of unfavorable bioresponse and achievement of versatile biomedical applications. Simultaneously, bioconjugation of biomolecules on the phospholipid polymer platform is crucial for a high-performance interface. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The biointerfaces with both biocompatibility and biofunctionality based on biomolecules must be installed on advanced devices, which are applied in the fields of nanobioscience and nanomedicine. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Nanotechnologies - Emerging Applications in Biomedicine.

Quantitative Evaluation of Interaction Force between Functional Groups in Protein and Polymer Brush Surfaces

To understand interactions between polymer surfaces and different functional groups in proteins, interaction forces were quantitatively evaluated by force-versus-distance curve measurements using atomic force microscopy with a functional-group-functionalized cantilever. Various polymer brush surfaces were systematically prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization as well-defined model surfaces to understand protein adsorption behavior. The polymer brush layers consisted of phosphorylcholine groups (zwitterionic/hydrophilic), trimethylammonium groups (cationic/hydrophilic), sulfonate groups (anionic/hydrophilic), hydroxyl groups (nonionic/hydrophilic), and n-butyl groups (nonionic/hydrophobic) in their side chains. The interaction forces between these polymer brush surfaces and different functional groups (carboxyl groups, amino groups, and methyl groups, which are typical functional groups existing in proteins) were quantitatively evaluated by force-versus-distance curve measurements using atomic force microscopy with a functional-group-functionalized cantilever. Furthermore, the amount of adsorbed protein on the polymer brush surfaces was quantified by surface plasmon resonance using albumin with a negative net charge and lysozyme with a positive net charge under physiological conditions. The amount of proteins adsorbed on the polymer brush surfaces corresponded to the interaction forces generated between the functional groups on the cantilever and the polymer brush surfaces. The weakest interaction force and least amount of protein adsorbed were observed in the case of the polymer brush surface with phosphorylcholine groups in the side chain. On the other hand, positive and negative surfaces generated strong forces against the oppositely charged functional groups. In addition, they showed significant adsorption with albumin and lysozyme, respectively. These results indicated that the interaction force at the functional group level might be a suitable parameter for understanding protein adsorption.

Designing dynamic surfaces for regulation of biological responses

ABA block copolymers composed of highly methylated polyrotaxane and hydrophobic anchoring terminal segments containing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and n-butyl methacrylate (PMB) (OMe-PRX-PMB) were synthesized as a platform of molecularly dynamic biomaterials. A contact angle measurement indicated that polymer surfaces with higher molecular mobility factors (Mf) estimated from quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) measurements showed more significant changes in hydrophilicity in response to an environmental change between air and water; the OMe-PRX-PMB surface showed the highest Mf among the prepared polymer surfaces. Fibrinogen adsorption and its conformational analysis estimated by QCM-D and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that large amounts of fibrinogen adsorption occurred in a soft manner on the OMe-PRX-PMB surface and that the antibody binding to the C-terminus of the fibrinogen γ chains responsible for platelet adhesion and activation decreased as the Mf value increased. Furthermore, it was found that the OMe-PRX-PMB surface showed low platelet adhesion and high fibroblast adhesion, suggesting that molecular movement on biomaterial surfaces could be one of the key parameters in the regulation of a non-specific biological response.

Preparation and surface properties of polyrotaxane-containing tri-block copolymers as a design for dynamic biomaterials surfaces.

A tri-block copolymer series containing hydrophilic polyrotaxane and hydrophobic poly(iso-butylmethacrylate) (PiBMA) segments was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), starting from a pseudopolyrotaxane consisting of 2-bromoisobutyryl end-capped poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and followed by methylation. The dynamic wettability and molecular mobility of the copolymer surfaces were evaluated by dynamic contact angle (DCA) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) measurements, respectively. The polyrotaxane tri-block copolymer surfaces were found to show pronounced dynamic wettability and molecular mobility compared to the control surfaces-a tri-block polymer consisting of PEG and PiBMA, and a PiBMA homopolymer-suggesting that a polyrotaxane loop-like structure exists at the outermost surface in an aqueous environment and exhibits dynamic properties attributable to the possible mobile nature of hydrated α-CD molecules along the PEG backbone. Finally, excellent protein adsorption repellency was achieved on the polyrotaxane tri-block copolymer surface, presumably due to the mobile nature of the supramolecular architecture on the surface.

Molecular Interaction Forces Generated during Protein Adsorption to Well-Defined Polymer Brush Surfaces

The molecular interaction forces generated during the adsorption of proteins to surfaces were examined by the force-versus-distance (f-d) curve measurements of atomic force microscopy using probes modified with appropriate molecules. Various substrates with polymer brush layers bearing zwitterionic, cationic, anionic, and hydrophobic groups were systematically prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Surface interaction forces on these substrates were analyzed by the f-d curve measurements using probes with the same polymer brush layer as the substrate. Repulsive forces, which decreased depending on the ionic strength, were generated between cationic or anionic polyelectrolyte brush layers; these were considered to be electrostatic interaction forces. A strong adhesive force was detected between hydrophobic polymer brush layers during retraction; this corresponded to the hydrophobic interaction between two hydrophobic polymer layers. In contrast, no significant interaction forces were detected between zwitterionic polymer brush layers. Direct interaction forces between proteins and polymer brush layers were then quantitatively evaluated by the f-d curve measurements using protein-immobilized probes consisting of negatively charged albumin and positively charged lysozyme under physiological conditions. In addition, the amount of protein adsorbed on the polymer brush layer was quantified by surface plasmon resonance measurements. Relatively large amounts of protein adsorbed to the polyelectrolyte brush layers with opposite charges. It was considered that the detachment of the protein after contact with the polymer brush layer hardly occurred due to salt formation at the interface. Both proteins adsorbed significantly on the hydrophobic polymer brush layer, which was due to hydrophobic interactions at the interface. In contrast, the zwitterionic polymer brush layer exhibited no significant interaction force with proteins and suppressed protein adsorption. Taken together, our results suggest that to obtain the protein-repellent surfaces, the surface should not induce direct interaction forces with proteins after contact with them.

Evaluation of the durability and antiadhesive action of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine grafting on an acrylic resin denture base material

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The polymer 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine is currently used on medical devices to prevent infection. Denture plaque-associated infection is regarded as a source of serious dental and medical complications in the elderly population, and denture hygiene, therefore, is an issue of considerable importance for denture wearers. Furthermore, because denture bases are exposed to mechanical stresses, for example, denture brushing, the durability of the coating is important for retaining the antiadhesive function of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine. PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to investigate the durability and antiadhesive activity of two 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer coating techniques: poly-2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine grafting and poly-2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate coating. It was revealed that 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer coating of the denture base resin polymethyl methacrylate decreases bacterial biofilm formation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Durability was examined by rhodamine staining and elemental surface analysis and by determining the wetting properties of the 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer-modified polymethyl methacrylate after a friction test that comprised 500 brushing cycles. Antiadhesive activity was examined by using a Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation assay. RESULTS Poly-2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-grafted polymethyl methacrylate retained 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine units and antiadhesive activity even after repetitive mechanical stress, whereas co-n-butyl methacrylate-coated polymethyl methacrylate did not. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that graft polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine on denture surfaces may contribute to the durability of the coating and prevent microbial retention.

The significance of hydrated surface molecular mobility in the control of the morphology of adhering fibroblasts

The effects of the hydrated molecular mobility and the surface free energy of polymer surfaces on fibronectin adsorption and fibroblast adhesion were investigated. ABA-type block copolymers composed of polyrotaxane (PRX) with different number of threaded α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), random copolymers with similar chemical composition to the PRX block copolymers, and conventional polymers were prepared to determine a wide range of hydrated molecular mobility (Mf) values estimated by quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation (QCM-D) measurements. Fibronectin adsorption was highly dependent on surface free energy, and high surface fibronectin density resulted in a large projected cell area on the polymer surfaces. However, the morphology of adhering fibroblasts was not explained by the surface free energy, but it was found to be strongly dependent on the Mf values of the polymer surfaces in aqueous media. These results emphasize the importance of Mf in the discussion of the elongated morphology of adhering fibroblasts on various polymer surfaces.

Preparation of a thick polymer brush layer composed of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and analysis of protein adsorption resistance

The purpose of this study was to prepare a thick polymer brush layer composed of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)) and assess its resistance to protein adsorption from the dissolved state of poly(MPC) chains in an aqueous condition. The thick poly(MPC) brush layer was prepared through the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of MPC with a free initiator from an initiator-immobilized substrate at given [Monomer]/[Free initiator] ratios. The ellipsometric thickness of the poly(MPC) brush layers could be controlled by the polymerization degree of the poly(MPC) chains. The thickness of the poly(MPC) brush layer in an aqueous medium was larger than that in air, and this tendency became clearer when the polymerization degree of the poly(MPC) increased. The maximum thickness of the poly(MPC) brush layer in an aqueous medium was around 110 nm. The static air contact angle of the poly(MPC) brush layer in water indicated a reasonably hydrophilic nature, which was independent of the thickness of the poly(MPC) brush layer at the surface. This result occurred because the hydrated state of the poly(MPC) chains is not influenced by the environment surrounding them. Finally, as measured with a quartz crystal microbalance, the amount of protein adsorbed from a fetal bovine serum solution (10% in phosphate-buffered saline) on the original substrate was 420 ng/cm(2). However, the poly(MPC) brush layer reduced this value dramatically to less than 50 ng/cm(2). This effect was independent of the thickness of the poly(MPC) brush layer for thicknesses between 20 nm and about 110 nm. These results indicated that the surface covered with a poly(MPC) brush layer is a promising platform to avoid biofouling and could also be applied to analyze the reactions of biological molecules with a high signal/noise ratio.