An XPS study on the covalent immobilization of adhesion peptides on a glass surface

Covalent attachment of adhesive peptides to biomaterials surfaces can result in the formation of a bioactive and biomimetic surface. We have demonstrated that titanium surfaces grafted with adhesion peptides, reproducing sequences of fibronectin and vitronectin, can increase osteoblast adhesion compared to non-treated surfaces.We now extend our investigation to peptide immobilization on glass for studying human osteoblast adhesion and spreading. Silanization was used to anchor adhesion peptides to the glass surface through a selective or a non-selective immobilization. Investigated samples were analysed by XPS spectroscopy. Comparison between the results obtained using two different peptides and applying selective and non-selective immobilization will be discussed.

Graphical abstractCovalent attachment of adhesive peptides to biomaterials surfaces can result in the formation of a bioactive and biomimetic surface. Silanization was used to anchor peptides to the glass surface through a selective or a non-selective immobilization. Investigated samples were analysed by XPS spectroscopy; core level spectra of the glass substrate and of the peptide layer were analysed. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide