GLYCOCONJUGATE MEDIATED ENDOTHELIAL-CELL ADHESION TO DACRON POLYESTERFILM

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore new strategies for e nhancing specific cell type attachment to biomaterials using immobiliz ed lectins for cell surface glycoconjugates. The lectin Ulex europaeus I (UEA I) has a high affinity for human vascular endothelial cell sur face glycoconjugates. Methods: UEA I was covalently bound to polyethyl ene terephthalate (Dacron) with the cross-linking agent 1-ethyl-3-(dim ethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride to achieve oligosaccharide -mediated endothelial cell attachment to this otherwise nonadherent su rface. Results: Experiments with radiolabeled UEA I demonstrated coval ent linkage of as much as 1.35 mug/cm2. The lectin binding site is ava ilable after the reaction, as demonstrated in experiments a neoglycopr otein. Adhesion studies reveal a 100-fold increase in endothelial cell attachment for the UEA I/polyethylene terephthalate surface (99.7 +/- 29.6 cells/high-power field) when compared with untreated (0.7 +/- 0. 5), crosslinking agent (0.4 +/- 0.3), and denatured UEA 1 (1.2 +/- 1. 1) control groups. Five vascular endothelial cell lines adhered to the UEA I/polyethylene terephthalate surface, whereas monocytes, smooth m uscle cells, and fibroblasts did not. Conclusion: These results imply new strategies for endothelialization of prosthetic grafts and promoti on of selective cell adherence to biomaterials, with emphasis on carbo hydrate interactions. Moreover, this experimental system offers a mode l for exploring the biologic significance of the endothelial cell-UEA I ligand.