Improving blood compatibility of surfaces using tanfloc and carboxymethyl-kappa-carrageenan polyelectrolyte multilayers

Abstract

Blood-contacting medical devices are indispensable in modern medicine but often cause complications like thrombosis, infections, and undesirable cellular responses. This research addresses these challenges through surface modifications using bio-derived polymers and nanoscale topographies. The first aim focuses on developing polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) using tanfloc (TAN), an amphoteric antimicrobial polymer, as both a polycation and polyanion. These PEMs showed strong antibacterial activity and excellent biocompatibility, providing a foundation for multifunctional coatings. The second aim investigates the hemocompatibility of TAN and carboxymethyl-kappa-carrageenan (CMKC) PEMs on titanium nanotube arrays (TiNT). Results demonstrated superior performance of CMKC compared to heparin (HEP) in reducing platelet adhesion, activation, and whole-blood clotting. Structural similarity of CMKC to HEP, coupled with its sustainable and animal-free origin, highlights its potential as a safer anticoagulant alternative. The third aim examines endothelialization and smooth muscle cell (SMC) modulation on TAN-CMKC-modified TiNT. These modifications enhanced endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration while significantly suppressing SMC proliferation and migration, critical for minimizing restenosis and promoting vascular healing. This research establishes TAN and CMKC-based PEMs as promising solutions for blood-contacting devices, offering improved thrombosis resistance, infection prevention, and support for vascular-related cellular interactions compared to current alternatives.