화학공학소재연구정보센터
Biomacromolecules, Vol.13, No.5, 1259-1268, 2012
Control of Anti-Thrombogenic Properties: Surface-Induced Self-Assembly of Fibrinogen Fibers
Wound healing is a complex process initiated by the formation of fibrin fibers and endothelialization. Normally, this process is triggered in a wound by thrombin cleavage of fibrinopeptides on fibrinogen molecules, which allows them to self spontaneously-assemble into large fibers that provide the support structure of the clot and promote healing. We have found that the fibrous structures can also form without thrombin on most polymer or metal surfaces, including those commonly used for stents. We show that the relatively hydrophobic E and D regions of the fibrinogen molecule are adsorbed on these surfaces, exposing the alpha C domains, which in turn results in the formation of large fiber structures that promote endothelial cell adhesion. We show that the entire process can be suppressed when stents or other substrates are coated with polymers that are functionalized to bind the alpha C domains, leading to the development of potentially nonthrombogenic implant materials.