Plasma activated polymers grafted with cysteamine improving surfaces cytocompatibility

Cysteamine was grafted on polymer foils (poly l-lactic acid, polystyrene, low and high density polyethylenes, polyethyleneterephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylfluoride and polyvinylidenefluoride) previously treated (activated) in plasma discharge. Grafting of cysteamine on polymer surface is expected to provide a new material applicable in medicine treatment. Properties of the sample surfaces change significantly before and after plasma treatment and cysteamine grafting and they were studied using various methods to characterize changes in surface chemistry, polarity, wetability, etc. Surface chemistry was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, chemistry and polarity by electrokinetic analysis and by goniometry, roughness and morphology by atomic force microscopy. Representatives of unmodified and modified polymers were used for in vitro study of adhesion and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Plasma treatment and cysteamine grafting improve dramatically surface cytocompatibility. Electrokinetic analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the cysteamine bonds to polymer surfaces via opposite functional groups (-SH or -NH2) depending on chemistry and polarity of polymers under study. This preferential grafting influence an adhesion and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells significantly. Even cytocompatibility of plasma treated polytetrafluoroethylene and subsequently grafted with cysteamine is “better” in comparison with tissue culture polystyrene.