Asymmetrically functional surface properties on biocompatible phospholipid polymer membrane for bioartificial kidney

Abstract

To obtain a bioartificial kidney composed of a porous polymer membrane and renal cells, a polysulfone (PSf) membrane (PSM) blended with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer was prepared. The PSM flat membrane with a porous structure could be prepared from the polymer blend containing 1 wt % of the MPC polymer in PSf by the phase inversion technique in a dry-wet process. Asymmetrical surface properties were observed on both sides of the membrane surfaces. That is, the sponge layer formed at the substrate-contacting surface of the membrane had 10-20 microm pores, but the pores in the micrometer range could not be observed for a skin layer formed at the air-contacting surface of the membrane. At the sponge layer surface, the MPC unit composition was 7 times larger than that at the skin layer surface. The amount of proteins adsorbed on the surface corresponded to the MPC unit composition. On the skin layer, a small amount of adsorbed proteins and platelet adhesion could be suppressed compared with those on the sponge layer. However, the skin layer had a moderate protein adsorption, so it showed a sufficient cytocompatibility to enable renal tubule epithelial cells to adhere and proliferate in the membrane. Thus, it functioned well as a renal tubule. Therefore, because of both its hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility, we could conclude that the PSM membrane is useful for as a renal tubule device for a bioartificial kidney.

Cell membrane-inspired phospholipid polymers for developing medical devices with excellent biointerfaces

“…MPC polymers have recently been applied to improve blood compatibility of blood-contacting and cardiovascular devices such as medical membranes for oxygenators and hemodialysis membranes [124][125][126][127][128][129], vascular prostheses [130][131][132][133], stents [134,135], cardiopulmonary bypasses [136][137][138], and ventricular assist devices (VADs) [139,140].…”

Characterization of membrane materials and membrane coatings for bioreactor units of bioartificial kidneys

“…PES/PVP and PSF/PVP membranes were prepared by phase inversion methods as described previously [26]. Briefly, PES and PVP were dissolved in NMP with a final composition of 18/8/74 wt% PES/PVP/NMP.…”

Cartilage-mimicking, High-density Brush Structure Improves Wear Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene: A Pilot Study

“…2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), a methacrylate monomer, is a novel biomaterial that mimics the neutral phospholipids of cell membranes [11]. MPC polymers are one of the most common biocompatible and hydrophilic polymers studied thus far and have potential applications in a variety of fields, including biology, biomedical science, and surface chemistry [9,10,18,19,37,39,40,43]. Surface modifications of MPC polymers for other medical devices have suppressed biologic reactions when they were put in contact with living organisms [9,18,43] and are now clinically used on the surfaces of intravascular stents [19,37], soft contact lenses [39], and artificial lungs and hearts [15,40] under the authorization of the US Food and Drug Administration.…”