Glow discharge plasma treatment of polyethylene tubing with tetraglyme results in ultralow fibrinogen adsorption and greatly reduced platelet adhesion

Abstract

Previous studies from our lab have shown that fibrinogen adsorption (Gamma(Fg)) must be reduced below 10 ng/cm(2) to significantly reduce platelet adhesion, and that radio frequency glow discharge (RFGD) treatment of polymeric films in the presence of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (tetraglyme) can reduce Gamma(Fg) to the desired ultralow value. In this report, the effects of RFGD coatings of tetraglyme on the lumenal surface of PE tubing on Gamma(Fg) and on blood interactions both in vitro and ex vivo are described. Gamma(Fg) on the tetraglyme-coated PE tubing was reduced to the desired ultralow level (<10 ng/cm(2)), and we also observed a significant decrease in adsorption of von Willebrand's factor. In vitro platelet adhesion from washed platelet suspensions, platelet rich plasma, or whole blood to tetraglyme-coated PE tubing was decreased compared to PE, polyurethane, or silicone rubber tubes. In addition, thrombin generation by platelets adherent to tetraglyme-coated PE was also much less than by platelets adherent to PE. When inserted in an ex vivo carotid artery-carotid artery shunt in sheep, the RFGD tetraglyme-coated PE exhibited a very low number of adherent platelets compared to heparin-coated, chromic acid-etched, or plain PE. The RFGD tetraglyme-coated PE tubes exhibited high protein and platelet resistance in vitro, and high platelet resistance ex vivo. The improved hemocompatibility is attributed to the unique chemical structure of RFGD tetraglyme that makes it highly protein resistant.

Fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor mediated platelet adhesion to polystyrene under flow conditions

“…This supports our previous conclusions obtained from tetraglyme-coated surfaces that Fg adsorption must be less than 5 ng/cm 2 and VWF adsorption less than 0.4 ng/cm 2 to achieve ultralow platelet adhesion under both static and flow conditions [33,74].…”

Biocompatible and Bioactive Surface Modifications for Prolonged In Vivo Efficacy

“…14 Recent research by Cao et al, on plasma deposition of tri- and tetraglymes, has shown that the procedure can be performed on the interior of both metallic and plastic tube structures, and that the coatings effectively resist platelet adherence and activation. 15 This possibility is exciting as it holds the potential to develop anti-thrombotic stenting materials and novel catheter coatings to prevent bacterial colonization. The technique has varied applications given that Salim et al, extended this approach to plasma deposition of tetraglyme to create a non-fouling poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surface, a favored material for microfluidic applications.…”

Detection of nisin and fibrinogen adsorption on poly(ethylene oxide) coated polyurethane surfaces by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS)

“…Model surfaces coated with PEO by γ-stabilization of triblocks have been shown to repel large proteins such as fibrinogen, a 340 kDa blood protein that is integral in platelet activation and the clotting cascade [14,16,17,18 19]. Although these and other studies have demonstrated substantial reduction in adsorption of fibrinogen and other proteins at triblock-coated surfaces, the protective effect was not absolute, and small amounts of protein remained detectable.…”