POLYMERIC BIOMATERIALS - INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHORYLCHOLINE POLAR GROUPS ON PROTEIN ADSORPTION AND COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION

The introduction to polymeric biomaterials of phosphorylcholine polar groups represents an approach towards the development of materials wit h improved blood compatibility. In this respect, two biomaterials, one a copolymer of butyl methacrylate and 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphory lcholine (MPC), (poly(BMA-co-MPC) and the other, MPC-grafted Cuprophan , were examined with respect to their influence on protein adsorption and complement activation. Protein adsorption was studied by measureme nt of the adsorption of radiolabelled single proteins (albumin and fib rinogen), while complement activation was measured using radioimmunoas say for C3a des Arg. The investigation demonstrated that the polymers containing phosphorylcholine polar groups can achieve a marked reducti on in protein adsorption and complement activation and supports the ut ilization of phosphorylcholine polar groups as a means of improving th e compatibility of biomaterials for blood-contacting applications.