In this study, we first fabricated a crosslinked hydrogel coating by polymerizing methacryloyloxyethyl sulfonyl betaine and acrylamide (SBMA) on the magnesium (Mg) alloy surface employing ultraviolet (UV) polymerization. Bivalirudin and CO-releasing molecules (CORM-401) were further grafted onto the hydrogel coating surface to acquire a multifunctional biocompatible coating capable of releasing CO to augment corrosion-resisting properties and biocompatibility. The findings verified that the bioactive hydrogel coating significantly increased the corrosion potential and reduced the corrosion current, thereby improving the anticorrosion performance. Meanwhile, owing to the excellent hydrophilicity, the antifouling performance of the hydrogel coating, and the excellent anticoagulant performance of bivalirudin, the hydrogel coating significantly reduced the fibrinogen adsorption, platelet adhesion and activation, and hemolysis occurrence, displaying excellent ability to inhibit blood clotting. Moreover, endothelial cell (EC) experimental results demonstrated that the hydrogel coating could significantly promote EC growth, displaying great potential to induce re-endothelialization after implantation. Specifically, in the presence of cysteine capable of catalyzing CO release, the anticoagulant performance and ability to promote EC growth were further improved significantly. Therefore, the study offers an effective strategy to prepare a hydrogel coating capable of releasing CO to improve the corrosion-resisting performance and biocompatibility of Mg alloys, which is anticipated to be applied in the surface modification of Mg alloy intravascular stents.
Zheng Xing,Shuting Wu,Chen Zhao,Yating Bai,Dawei Jin,Meng Yin,Haifeng Liu,Yubo Fan
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses serious health concerns worldwide. The lack of transplantable vascular grafts is an unmet clinical need in the surgical treatment of CVD. Although expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts have been used in clinical practice, a low long-term patency rate in small-diameter transplantation application is still the biggest challenge. Thus, surface modification of ePTFE is sought after. In this study, polydopamine (PDA) was used to improve the hydrophilia and provide immobilization sites in ePTFE. Bivalirudin (BVLD), a direct thrombin inhibitor, was used to enhance the anti-thrombotic activity of ePTFE. The peptides derived from extracellular matrix proteins were used to elevate the bioactivity of ePTFE. The morphology, chemical composition, peptide modified strength, wettability, and hemocompatibility of modified ePTFE vascular grafts were investigated. Then, an endothelial cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the best co-modification strategy of the ePTFE vascular graft in vitro. Since a large animal could relatively better mimic human physiology, we chose a porcine carotid artery replacement model in the current study. The results showed that the BVLD/REDV co-modified ePTFE vascular grafts had a satisfactory patency rate (66.7%) and a higher endothelial cell coverage ratio (70%) at 12 weeks after implantation. This may offer an opportunity to produce a multi-biofunctional ePTFE vascular graft, thereby yielding a potent product to meet the clinical needs.