Polymer latexes for cell-resistant and cell-interactive surfaces

Novel polymer latexes were prepared that can be applied in several ways for the control and study of cell behavior on surfaces. Acrylic latexes with g lass transitions ranging from -30 to 100 degrees C were synthesized by disp ersion polymerization in a water and alcohol solution using an amphiphilic comb copolymer as a stabilizing agent. The comb had a poly(methyl methacryl ate) backbone and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains, whic h served to stabilize the dispersion and create a robust hydrophilic coatin g on the final latex particles. The end groups of the comb stabilizer can b e selectively functionalized to obtain latex particles with a controlled de nsity of ligands tethered to their surfaces. Latexes were prepared with adh esion peptides (RGD) linked to the surface of the acrylic beads to induce a ttachment and spreading of cells. Coalesced films obtained from the RGD-bea ring latex particles promoted attachment of WT NR6 fibroblasts, while films from unmodified latex particles were resistant to these cells. Additionall y, RGD-linked beads were embedded in cell-resistant comb polymer films to c reate cell-interactive surfaces with discrete clustered-ligand domains. Cel l attachment and morphology were seen to vary with the surface density of t he RGD-bearing latex beads. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.