Abstract
This review article describes fundamental aspects of cell membrane-inspired phospholipid polymers involving nonfouling phenomena and their usefulness in the development of medical devices. Since the early 1990s, polymers composed of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) units have been considered in the preparation of biomaterials. MPC polymers can provide an artificial cell membrane structure at the surface and serve as excellent biointerfaces between artificial and biological systems. They have also been applied for the surface modification of some medical devices including long-term implantable artificial organs. An MPC polymer biointerface can suppress unfavorable biological reactions such as protein adsorption and cell adhesion. In other words, specific biomolecules immobilized on an MPC polymer surface retain their original functions. Regarding the properties as a biointerface with an artificial cell membrane structure, the use of MPC polymers has grown worldwide for creating desired biointerfacial phenomena on artificial materials.
