The effect of electrostatic heparin/collagen layer-by-layer coating degradation on the biocompatibility

Abstract

Electrostatic layer-by-layer coatings of heparin and collagen have been suggested before to improve the biocompatibility of blood-contacting devices. However, to our knowledge, there have been no systematic studies about the effect of degradation of this coating on its biocompatibility, anticoagulant properties and the cyto-compatibility. The purpose of this study was to design an in vitro experiment in this regard that can assess the degradation behavior and the biocompatibility change of the coating. The coating degradation in physiological saline (PS) under static and dynamic condition was monitored by DR-FTIR, SEM, AFM and water contact angle, moreover, heparin densities on the topmost surface and the release heparin every day were measured by toluidine blue O (TBO) assay. The results showed that the degradation rate of the coating in is much faster under flow and shear conditions than during static incubation, and only very limited collagen and heparin remain on the surface after 15 days incubation in dynamic condition. With the degradation, the hemocompatibility of the coating got worse, especially when incubated under dynamic conditions. The degradation products of the coating do not lead to coagulation but behave -as heparin- anticoagulant. The compatibility of the coating to endothelial cells improved within 15d incubation in static medium, but it for degradation under dynamic conditions, it improved for 5d but at 15d incubation, it was almost as low as for the bare substrate. These results highlight the necessity for appropriate testing of newly developed coatings not only in the initial state but also after extended exposure to a physiological ambient.