Antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility of chitooligosaccharide-modified polyurethane membrane via polydopamine adhesive layer

The aim of this study was to provide a convenient surface modification method for polyurethane (PU) membrane and evaluate its influence on hydrophilicity, antibacterial activity and cell functions, which are the most important factors for wound dressings. For this purpose, chitooligosaccharide (COS) was modified onto the surface of PU membrane based on the self-polymerization of dopamine (DOPA). Surface composition, morphology, hydrophilicity and surface energy of the original and modified PU membranes were characterized. Surface roughness and hydrophilicity of the PU membrane were obviously increased by modified with polydopamine (PDOPA) and COS. Antibacterial experiment against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus indicated that antibacterial activity of PU membrane increased only slightly by modified with PDOPA, but increased significantly by further modified with COS. Cells culture results revealed that COS-functionalized PU membrane is more beneficial to the adhesion and proliferation of NIH-3T3 cells compared to the original and PDOPA-modified PU membranes.