Polyethylene glycol alleviates THP-1 cell adhesion to polyurethane, a common biomaterial

Biomaterial rejection has been a topic closely studied due to the development of implants and other medical devices. The goal of biomaterial research is to increase overall biocompatibility which refers to the ability of a biomaterial to work in harmony with surrounding cells. Biomaterial surface properties play an important role in biomaterial rejection which involves the attachment of proteins and cells. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) contains a certain level of hydrophobicity to deter cell adhesion while still maintaining the ability to chemically bind to surfaces. The hypothesis that PEG bound to polyurethane (PU) films can decrease THP-1 cell adhesion was tested. High molecular weight PEG was attached to the surfaces of polyurethane films via an evaporative method in three concentrations (1, 4, and 10%). THP-1 cells were seeded onto polyurethane films, incubated for 2 days, fixed, stained with DAPI, and imaged. An ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc testing showed statistical significance in the number of adhered cells between both 4%, 10% and the control. It was concluded that both 4% and 10% PEG-coated polyurethane films decreased THP-1 adhesion. This preliminary study supports the claim that PEG could be a useful bioinert material to prevent THP-1 macrophage cell adherence, an initial step in the rejection of biomaterials.