Measurement of protein adsorption and cell adhesion onto polymer surfaces using Immuno-Fluorescence Assays (IFA) and the QCM-D technique: A comparative study
Résumé
Protein adsorption onto polymeric surfaces plays a central role in the adhesion of cells and these events can affect the biocompatibility of artificial surfaces. Adsorption of fibronectin and subsequent adhesion of fibroblasts onto various tyrosine-derived polymer surfaces were measured using fluorescence assays in micro plates. The Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D) has been used to investigate the adsorption of fibronectin and the corresponding adhesion of fibroblasts onto polymer surfaces. Our results indicate that the polymer surface chemistry affects the adsorption of fibronectin. Further, the amount of polymer-adsorbed fibronectin correlated with the numbers of surface-attached cells. The results illustrate good agreement between the two techniques. The use of immuno-fluorescence assays is ideally suited for an initial rapid screening of a large number of different polymer surfaces. The overall advantage of the QCM-D technique lies in the real time detection of the process of protein adsorption and cell adhesion to surfaces. © 2004 Materials Research Society.