PLASMA-INDUCED GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF HEMA ONTO SILICONE-RUBBER AND TPX FILM IMPROVING RABBIT CORNEAL EPITHELIAL-CELL ATTACHMENT AND GROWTH

A poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA)-grafted polymer film was p repared by plasma-induced graft copolymerization onto an elastic mater ial, silicone rubber, and a plastic material, poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (TPX). The control, Ar plasma-treated and pHEMA-grafted silicone rubb er and TPX surfaces were characterized by ESCA, FTIR-ATR, SEM and cont act angle techniques. ESCA verified the respective chemical shift of c ontrol and Ar plasma-treated films. The presence of the grafted pHEMA was also verified by ESCA. The introduction of pHEMA onto a hydrophobi c support provided an adequate surface for rabbit corneal epithelium c ell attachment and growth. Cell attachment and growth onto these surfa ces were examined by light microscopy. Cell attachment onto the contro l and Ar plasma-treated surfaces was negligible, while improved attach ment and growth of rabbit corneal epithelium cells was demonstrated on the pHEMA-grafted polymeric surface. At 72 h, the pHEMA-grafted silic one rubber surface attached and grew more cells as compared with those on a pHEMA-grafted TPX surface. The pHEMA-grafted silicone rubber sur face demonstrated a confluent cell layer after 72 h.