Surface attached ultrathin polymer monolayers for control of cell adhesion

Background. Calcific degeneration is the major drawback of bioprostheses. N one of the numerous preventive approaches omitted calcification. Previous s tudies showed that cellular surface seeding decreases calcium uptake in vit ro but achievement of coverage remains problematic. A new approach is prese nted masking glutaraldehyde residues with a polymer layer allowing cell see ding. The aim of this study was to evaluate different polymers for suitabil ity. Methods. Ten polymers-covalently bound to glass-were tested for their abili ty to seed animal and human cells. Quality of coverage was evaluated by lig ht and scanning electron microscopy, and polymers were characterized physic ochemically. Results. Quality of cellular growth was similar for canine and human cells. Five polymers allowed excellent surface coverage, two led to a decrease of cell adherence, and four to poor cellular growth. No correlation between m olecular weight, thickness, hydrophilicity, or charge of the polymer and ce ll growth was found. Conclusions. Polymer monolayers can promote cellular growth but without cor relation to physicochemical characteristics. Polymers covalently bound to b iologic tissue appear to be a promising approach for achieving cellular cov erage of biomaterials. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.