Protein Interactions with Nanoengineered Polyoxazoline Surfaces Generated via Plasma Deposition

Abstract

Protein adsorption to biomaterials is critical in determining their suitability for specific applications, such as implants or biosensors. Here, we show that surface nanoroughness can be tailored to control the covalent binding of proteins to plasma-deposited polyoxazoline (PPOx). Nanoengineered surfaces were created by immobilizing gold nanoparticles varying in size and surface density on PPOx films. To keep the surface chemistry consistent while preserving the nanotopography, all substrates were overcoated with a nanothin PPOx film. Bovine serum albumin was chosen to study protein interactions with the nanoengineered surfaces. The results demonstrate that the amount of protein bound to the surface is not directly correlated with the increase in surface area. Instead, it is determined by nanotopography-induced geometric effects and surface wettability. A densely packed array of 16 and 38 nm nanoparticles hinders protein adsorption compared to smooth PPOx substrates, while it increases for 68 nm nanoparticles. These adaptable surfaces could be used for designing biomaterials where proteins adsorption is or is not desirable.

Nanotopography‐Induced Unfolding of Fibrinogen Modulates Leukocyte Binding and Activation

“…This further confirms that the increase in fluorescence intensity observed in the bleached sections was related to further adsorption of proteins from the solution and not from lateral diffusion or adsorption–desorption events. We can, therefore, conclude that the protein attached strongly on all three nanorough surfaces and that they were not mobile and did not desorb at least at the studied time scale of 1 h. These results are in good agreement with our previous work, which also demonstrated the irreversible adsorption of proteins on Meox surfaces …”

“…In order to understand the role of nanotopography, it is important to create substrates where nanostructures size and surface density are well defined, and the outermost surface chemistry is identical for all samples. To achieve this goal, we used a combination of plasma‐assisted nanoengineering techniques, which have been well documented as a utility in surface modification of biomaterials . Substrates were first coated with 20 nm thick plasma polymerized methyl oxazoline films (Meox).…”

“…Such discrepancies arise because many studies concerned with the role of surface nanotopography have until now lacked consistency in terms of nanofeature size, shape, and surface chemical composition. Cell studies have been conducted with a variety of nanotopographical features such as tubes, rods, pillars, particles, or random surface roughness produced by etching, resulting in a significant degree of polydispersity of height and lateral spacing and importantly, outermost surface chemistry that was not tailored but rather resultant from the fabrication process . To reveal the role of surface nanotopography on protein and cellular response, it is vital to single out the effect of nanotopography, while other variables (surface chemistry, nanofeature size, and shape) are carefully tailored.…”

The Role of Controlled Surface Topography and Chemistry on Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Attachment, Growth and Self-Renewal

“…Surface nanotopography was confirmed via atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement, while the surface atomic composition was determined via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as described previously [ 30 , 31 ]. Briefly, AFM analysis was performed on a NT-MDT NTEGRA Scanning Probe Microscope (Moscow, Russia) atomic force microscope in tapping mode.…”

Nanoengineered Antibacterial Coatings and Materials: A Perspective

“…These rings are very reactive to carboxyl acid groups in a one-step, click type reaction without the need for any catalysts or intermediates. This special property allows for covalent binding of biomolecules, ligands and nanoparticles containing carboxyl acid groups, which provide platforms for developing diagnostic technologies and tools for interrogating biological phenomena occurring at the material interphase [55][56][57][58]. Oxazoline derived plasma polymer coatings were also demonstrated to efficiently modulate the immune responses exhibited by the reduction in secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the composition of protein corona forming on the biomaterial surface [15,56,59].…”