Fibrinogen matrix deposited on the surface of biomaterials acts as a natural anti-adhesive coating

Abstract

Adsorption of fibrinogen on the luminal surface of biomaterials is a critical early event during the interaction of blood with implanted vascular graft prostheses which determines their thrombogenicity. We have recently identified a nanoscale process by which fibrinogen modifies the adhesive properties of various surfaces for platelets and leukocytes. In particular, adsorption of fibrinogen at low density promotes cell adhesion while its adsorption at high density results in the formation of an extensible multilayer matrix, which dramatically reduces cell adhesion. It remains unknown whether deposition of fibrinogen on the surface of vascular graft materials produces this anti-adhesive effect. Using atomic force spectroscopy, single cell force spectroscopy, and standard adhesion assays with platelets and leukocytes, we have characterized the adhesive and physical properties of the contemporary biomaterials, before and after coating with fibrinogen. We found that uncoated PET, PTFE and ePTFE exhibited high adhesion forces developed between the AFM tip or cells and the surfaces. Adsorption of fibrinogen at the increasing concentrations progressively reduced adhesion forces, and at ≥2 µg/ml all surfaces were virtually nonadhesive. Standard adhesion assays performed with platelets and leukocytes confirmed this dependence. These results provide a better understanding of the molecular events underlying thrombogenicity of vascular grafts.

Novel Multifunctional Nanomatrix Reduces Inflammation in Dynamic Conditions in Vitro and Dilates Arteries ex Vivo

“…It has been shown that hard, rough surfaces such as modified titanium and stainless steel have increased monocyte and leukocyte adhesion compared to surfaces with more yield and lower surface roughness, such as multilayered fibrinogen and our nanomatrix coating. 33–35 Our previous studies have demonstrated that our nanomatrix coating forms a stable, smooth, uniform surface on stents; this may be a critical factor in prevention of inflammatory cell adhesion. 25 Thus, the nanomatrix coating itself may be protective under flow against inflammatory cell adhesion, although the addition of NO increased this protection.…”

Ranking reactive glutamines in the fibrinogen αC region that are targeted by blood coagulant factor XIII

“…8,[30][31][32][33] This region has also been directly correlated with adhesion events. [34][35][36] Fibrinogen aC region (221-610) is composed of a flexible aC connector (221-391) and a more structured aC domain (392-610). 4,7 During fibrin polymerization, crosslinking in the aC region has been shown to promote lateral aggregation and protofibril staggering.…”

Protein corona: a new approach for nanomedicine design

“…In particular, at low-density, fibrinogen forms a monolayer that directly attaches to the NP surface, 74 leading to high adhesion with platelets and leukocytes. While at high density, the fibrinogen molecules form an extensible multilayer matrix by self-assembly through the interaction between their αC domains, 75,76 this dramatically decrease cellular association under both static and flow conditions. 74,77 These results can suggest a new approach for synthesis and development of biomaterials, specifically in implantation in order to decrease initial thrombogenesis.…”