Protein adsorption on derivatives of hyaluronan

Serum protein adsorption and fibroblast cell adhesion on photo reactive hyaluronic acid (Hyal-N3) and its sulfated derivative (HyalS-N 3) was analysed using a combination of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and cell adhesion assays. There was no significant differences in the amount of protein adsorbed onto the two polymers, however proteins were found to be more loosely bound to HyalS-N3 compared with Hyal-N3. Approximately 17% and 31% of the fibronectin interacting with Hyal-N3 and HyalS-N3 respectively was found to be irreversibly bound after rinsing with MilliQ water, SDS and urea. Proteins were exposed to the polymers before cell adhesion was monitored for a period of 2 hours in serum free conditions. Minimal cell adhesion was observed on albumin-coated materials as well as serum precoated Hyal-N3. Precoating the materials with fibronectin enhanced cell adhesion, although HyalS-N3 experienced higher levels of cell adhesion than Hyal-N3 and similar results were found for the serum precoated materials. Copyright © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.