A new, cryoprecipitate based coating for improved endothelial cell attachment and growth on medical grade artificial surfaces

Monoprotein coatings of biomaterials with either natural adhesion molecules or genetically designed analogs have been used to facilitate attachment and spreading of endothelial cells. However, such treatments were found insufficient to maintain the integrity of the endothelial surface under turbulent flow conditions. In addition, when brought into contact with blood, these coatings were susceptible to plasma and cell proteinases that could readily destroy their structure and weaken cell adherence to the surface. In addressing these problems, we developed a cryoprecipitate-based coating that can firmly bind to any nonporous, prosthetic surface and interact with endothelial cells. The primary structure of the coating consisted of an autologous fibrin meshwork. It was refined by various compositions of the fibrinogen containing mixture and secured to polystyrene or polyurethane surfaces by dry-heat treatment. Further modulation of the coating was achieved by physically immobilizing various doses of heparin and insulin into the three dimensional matrix of the meshwork. Endothelial cells attached and grew much better on polyurethanes coated with this autologous protein complex than on a polystyrene tissue culture surface. With proper use of its capacity to mimic the properties of basal membrane, and absence of immunologic complications, the resulting coating may become an ideal multifunctional interface between cells and prosthetic materials.