The plasma generated from a gas mixture of NH3 plus O2 (NH3 + O2) has been used to impart unique chemical and biological characteristics to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE treated with NH3 + O2 plasma was physiochemically distinct from surfaces treated with plasma of either NH3 or O2 alone, as determined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The contact angle analysis revealed that the PTFE surfaces became less hydrophobic after plasma treatments. ESCA results indicate the presence of oxygen-containing groups and nitrogen-containing groups at the plasma-treated surfaces. PTFE treated with NH3 + O2 plasma resisted the attachment of platelets and leukocytes in a manner similar to untreated PTFE; however, the attachment of bovine aorta endothelial cells was substantially increased. Once attached, these cells grew to confluency. The increased endothelial cell attachment was higher than that observed following plasma treatment with each gas used separately, which could be attributed to the considerable amount of CF(OR)2-CF2 formed on the NH3 + O2 plasma-treated PTFE surface. At 14 days after subcutaneous implantation in rats, the PTFE wafers treated with NH3 + O2 plasma demonstrated less encapsulation and lower levels of inflammatory cells compared to controls. Collectively, the results suggest that NH3 + O2 plasma treatment imparts a unique character to PTFE and could be useful in certain in vivo applications.

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A multidomain, synthetic peptide designated B2A2 synergizes the activity of BMP-2. B2A2 interacts with BMP receptor isoforms, potentiating the action of BMP-2 in activating alkaline phosphatase and triggering Smad and MAPK signaling. B2A2's design permits its delivery as a local surface coating as well as a soluble co-factor, thus broadening potential bioengineering applications.Introduction: BMP-2 induces osteogenic differentiation and accelerates bone repair. Although BMP-2 inhibitors have been discovered, no BMP-2 mimetics or enhancers that function in the physiological range have yet been found. Here we report that a synthetic peptide designated B2A2, consisting of (1) a BMP receptortargeting sequence, (2) a hydrophobic spacer, and (3) a heparin-binding sequence, is a positive modulator of recombinant BMP-2. Materials and Methods: Cultures of mesenchymal cell lines C2C12 and C3H10T1/2 were given B2A2, recombinant BMP-2, or both. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assayed by conversion of paranitrophenol phosphate (PNPP). Signaling through Smad and MAP kinase pathways was monitored by Western blot. Receptor binding was assessed by incubating immobilized B2A2 with soluble recombinant receptor-Fc chimeras and detecting bound receptor by anti-Fc antibody ELISA. Surface coating of medical device materials was done by first dip-coating with silyl-heparin, followed by B2A2. Results and Conclusions: Treatment of cells with B2A2 alone marginally increased ALP activity. However, B2A2 plus BMP-2 resulted in 5-to 40-fold augmentation of ALP compared with BMP-2 alone in C3H10T1/2 or C2C12 cells, respectively. This synergistic enhancement was observed over a broad concentration range (4-1000 ng/ml BMP-2). B2A2 interacted directly with BMP receptor isoforms (preferentially to BMPR-Ib and ActivinR-II). In cells, B2A2 + BMP-2 led to a repression of MAP kinase and an increase of Smad activation, consistent with known activation pathways of BMP-2. B2A2 was ineffective when paired with other cytokine/ growth factors (basic fibroblast growth factor [FGF-2], TGF-␤1, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]). Simultaneous co-administration was not strictly required. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that temporal separations up to 1 h were still effective. B2A2 was also effective when delivered in a polystyrene-or stainless steel-coated surface through a heparin platform (silyl-heparin) while BMP-2 was added exogenously in solution. These results suggest that B2A2 might promote aggregation of receptor subunits, enabling BMP-2 to activate signaling pathways at effectively lower concentrations. Synthetic multidomain constructs like B2A2 may be useful to accelerate bone repair/deposition through augmentation of endogenous levels of BMP-2 or through local BMP-2 contained in artificial or engineered matrices.