Abstract
For evaluating necrosis inhibitory ability of lymphocytes after contact with PHEMA PSt-PHEMA ABA-type block copolymer (HSB) surfaces with a microdomain structure, the mitochondria swelling of the lymphocytes was analyzed quantitatively by computerized transmission electron micro scopic image analysis (CTEMIA). Also, the glycocalyx of the contacted lymphocytes on the HSB surfaces was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The lymphocytes made contact with the PSt, PHEMA-PSt random copolymer and Biomer surfaces were analyzed by TEM. Intact lymphocytes were used as the control. The mitochondria and glycocalyx of the lymphocytes on the control polymer surfaces were not analyzed by CTEMIA and TEM, respectively, because the lymphocytes were disrupted. The mitochondria size and the entire glycocalyx of the contacted lymphocytes on the HSB surfaces were the same as that of the intact lymphocytes. It was found that the HSB surfaces inhibited necrosis of the contacted lymphocytes, in contrast to the response of those on the control polymer surfaces. It was suggested that the microdomain structure surface of the HSB inhibited lymphocyte necrosis by keeping the glycocalyx structure of the lymphocyte. [Abbreviations: PHEMA, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate); PSt, polystyrene]
