pH-responsive and antibacterial properties of self-assembled multilayer films based on chitosan and tannic acid.

Polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer (LbL) films that disintegrate under physiological conditions are intensively studied as coatings to enable the release of bioactive components. Herein, we report on the interactions and pH-stability of LbL films composed of chitosan (CH) or N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (CMCH) and tannic acid (TA), employed to guarantee the film disintegration. The self-assembly of TA with CH and CMCH at pH 5 and with CMCH at pH 7.4 were proven by turbidimetric, surface plasmon resonance and UV-Vis analyses. The LbL films exhibited pH-dependent properties; CMCH/TA films prepared at pH 7.4 showed exponential growth as well as a higher layer thickness and surface roughness, whereas films prepared at pH 5 grew linearly and were smoother. The film stability varied with the pH used for film assembly; CH/TA films assembled at pH 5 were unstable at pH 8.5, whereas CMCH/TA films assembled at pH 7.4 disintegrated at pH 4. All films exhibited a similar disassembly at pH 7.4. The coatings reduced the adhesion of E. coli and S. aureus by approximately 80%. CMCH-terminated CMCH/TA films were more resistant to bacterial adhesion, whereas CH-terminated CH/TA films demonstrated stronger killing activity. The prepared pH-triggered decomposable LbL films could be used as degradable coatings that allow the release of therapeutics for biomedical applications and also prevent bacterial adhesion.

Cellular Responses Modulated by FGF-2 Adsorbed on Albumin/Heparin Layer-by-Layer Assemblies.

In a typical cell culture system, growth factors immobilized on the cell culture surfaces can serve as a reservoir of bio-signaling molecules, without the need to supplement them additionally into the culture medium. In this paper, we report on the fabrication of albumin/heparin (Alb/Hep) assemblies for controlled binding of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). The surfaces were constructed by layer-by-layer adsorption of polyelectrolytes albumin and heparin and were subsequently stabilized by covalent crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. An analysis of the surface morphology by atomic force microscopy showed that two Alb/Hep bilayers are required to cover the surface of substrate. The formation of the Alb/Hep assemblies was monitored by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR), the infrared multiinternal reflection spectroscopy (FTIR MIRS) and UV/VIS spectroscopy. The adsorption of FGF-2 on the cross-linked Alb/Hep was followed by SPR. The results revealed that FGF-2 binds to the Alb/Hep assembly in a dose and time-dependent manner up to the surface concentration of 120 ng/cm(2). The bioactivity of the adsorbed FGF-2 was assessed in experiments in vitro, using calf pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (CPAE). CPAE cells could attach and proliferate on Alb/Hep surfaces. The adsorbed FGF-2 was bioactive and stimulated both the proliferation and the differentiation of CPAE cells. The improvement was more pronounced at a lower FGF-2 surface concentration (30 ng/cm(2)) than on surfaces with a higher concentration of FGF-2 (120 ng/cm(2)).

Self-assembled anchor layers/polysaccharide coatings on titanium surfaces: a study of functionalization and stability.

Composite materials based on a titanium support and a thin, alginate hydrogel could be used in bone tissue engineering as a scaffold material that provides biologically active molecules. The main objective of this contribution is to characterize the activation and the functionalization of titanium surfaces by the covalent immobilization of anchoring layers of self-assembled bisphosphonate neridronate monolayers and polymer films of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and biomimetic poly(dopamine). These were further used to bind a bio-functional alginate coating. The success of the titanium surface activation, anchoring layer formation and alginate immobilization, as well as the stability upon immersion under physiological-like conditions, are demonstrated by different surface sensitive techniques such as spectroscopic ellipsometry, infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The changes in morphology and the established continuity of the layers are examined by scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry and atomic force microscopy. The changes in hydrophilicity after each modification step are further examined by contact angle goniometry.

Cell death induced by ozone and various non-thermal plasmas: therapeutic perspectives and limitations.

Non-thermal plasma has been recognized as a promising tool across a vast variety of biomedical applications, with the potential to create novel therapeutic methods. However, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind non-thermal plasma cellular effects remains a significant challenge. In this study, we show how two types of different non-thermal plasmas induce cell death in mammalian cell cultures via the formation of multiple intracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Our results showed a discrepancy in the superoxide accumulation and lysosomal activity in response to air and helium plasma, suggesting that triggered signalling cascades might be grossly different between different plasmas. In addition, the effects of ozone, a considerable component of non-thermal plasma, have been simultaneously evaluated and have revealed much faster and higher cytotoxic effects. Our findings offer novel insight into plasma-induced cellular responses, and provide a basis for better controlled biomedical applications.

Monodisperse carboxyl-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-coated magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microspheres: application to the immunocapture of ß-amyloid peptides.

Identification and evaluation of small changes in ß-amyloid peptide (Aß) levels in cerebrospinal fluid is of crucial importance for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Microfluidic detection methods enable effective preconcentration of Aß using magnetic microparticles coated with Aß antibodies. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microspheres are coated with α-amino-ω-methoxy-PEG5000 /α-amino-ω-Boc-NH-PEG5000 Boc groups deprotected and NH2 succinylated to introduce carboxyl groups. Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection confirms the efficient capture of Aß 1-40 peptides on the microspheres with immobilized monoclonal anti-Aß 6E10. The capture specificity is confirmed by comparing Aß 1-40 levels on the anti-IgG-immobilized particles used as a control.

AFM imaging and analysis of local mechanical properties for detection of surface pattern of functional groups.

In this work we evaluate the applicability of different atomic force microscopy (AFM) modes, such as Phase Shift Imaging, Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy (AFAM) and Force Spectroscopy, for mapping of the distribution pattern of low-molecular-weight biomimetic groups on polymer biomaterial surfaces. Patterns with either random or clustered spatial distribution of bioactive peptide group derived from fibronectin were prepared by surface deposition of functional block copolymer nano-colloids and grafted with RGDS peptide containing the sequence of amino acids arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine (conventionally labeled as RGDS) and carrying biotin as a tag. The biotin-tagged peptides were labeled with 40nm streptavidin-modified Au nanospheres. The peptide molecules were localized through the detection of bound Au nanospheres by AFM, and thus, the surface distribution of peptides was revealed. AFM techniques capable of monitoring local mechanical properties of the surface were proved to be the most efficient for identification of Au nano-markers. The efficiency was successfully demonstrated on two different patterns, i.e. random and clustered distribution of RGDS peptides on structured surface of the polymer biomaterial.