2025 Volume 74 Issue 3 Pages 128-129
We investigated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)-polymer and platelet-polymer interaction behavior by measuring the adhesion strength using single-cell force spectroscopy. The hydration state of the polymer interface was observed using frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy. We discovered that HUVECs can attach and spread on the poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) with strong adhesion strength compared to other polymers. We also discovered that the hydration layers on the PMEA were closely related to their weak platelet adhesion behavior. Cell adhesions and denaturation degree of adsorbed proteins were controlled by intermediate water (IW) contents. Based on our results, it can be concluded that PMEA is a promising candidate for the construction of stents and artificial small-diameter blood vessels owing to the presence of IW on the biointerface. Using the principle of IW, which is common in hydrated biomolecules and biocompatible polymers, we found the synthetic methodology to create novel functional polymers moving toward a more high-throughput way. The concept provides significant opportunities for pioneering medical devices.
