Controlling Experimental Parameters to Improve Characterization of Biomaterial Fouling

Abstract

Uncontrolled protein adsorption and cell binding to biomaterial surfaces may lead to degradation, implant failure, infection, and deleterious inflammatory and immune responses. The accurate characterization of biofouling is therefore crucial for the optimization of biomaterials and devices that interface with complex biological environments composed of macromolecules, fluids, and cells. Currently, a diverse array of experimental conditions and characterization techniques are utilized, making it difficult to compare reported fouling values between similar or different biomaterials. This review aims to help scientists and engineers appreciate current limitations and conduct fouling experiments to facilitate the comparison of reported values and expedite the development of low-fouling materials. Recent advancements in the understanding of protein–interface interactions and fouling variability due to experiment conditions will be highlighted to discuss protein adsorption and cell adhesion and activation on biomaterial surfaces.

Improving Vascularization of Biomaterials for Skin and Bone Regeneration by Surface Modification: A Narrative Review on Experimental Research

“…A possible explanation for these observations is the plasma-induced increase in surface energy. The interaction of the material surface during a plasma discharge with released high-energy particles, such as ions and electrons, can lead to the formation of free bonding sites on the material surface, causing an increase in surface energy [ 61 , 62 , 63 ]. The results of the current work show that the plasma-induced increase in surface energy was able to lead to an increased vascularization [ 60 ].…”

Role of chitosan in titanium coatings. trends and new generations of coatings

“…Numerous studies have investigated non-biofouling with the aim of increasing the bioactivity of titanium for its broader applications in biomedical areas; Kang et al (Kang et al, 2010) used biologically active molecules on Ti surfaces coated with polyethylene glycol methacrylate to enhance the nonbiofouling property. Jesmer and Wylie and Manivasagam et al (Jesmer and Wylie, 2020;Manivasagam et al, 2021) in recent reviews highlighted that biofouling is crucial for the optimization of biomaterials and devices interacting with complex biological environments composed of macromolecules, fluids and cells. -The reaction of the immune system to the implant material may be the cause of a number of problems.…”

The path to a hemocompatible cardiovascular implant: Advances and challenges of current endothelialization strategies

“…After binding on the surface, the protein molecules (e.g., albumin and fibrinogen) show a modification of their macromolecular conformation that tends to adopt unique biochemical and physicochemical behavior ( 49 ). The progressive degradation of biomaterials, chronic recurrent infection due to biofilm formation, deleterious inflammatory, and immune responses, as well as initiation of blood coagulation cascade due to the activation of circulating blood cells and blood coagulation factors are the main effects of excessive protein deposition on the surface of biomaterials ( 50 ). Several strategies have been developed to integrate stealth properties into the surface of biomaterials that prevent protein deposition.…”