In vitro binding of C-reactive protein on to chemically modified polymethyl methacrylate surfaces

Phosphorylethanolamine (PEA), C-reactive protein (CRP) specific ligand was coupled onto the surface of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) surface. Initially PMMA surface was modified by grafting glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The anchoring of PEA on to PMMA was achieved through the ring opening reaction of epoxide group of GMA. The modified surface was characterized using FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and contact angle measurement. The modified surface was found to bind CRP. The adsorbed protein was visualized by staining Coomassie blue. The quantification of the extent of adsorption was carried out using spectrophotometric measurement. The methodology appears to be simple and expandable further for the development of a sensing element for CRP.