The correlation between fibronectin adsorption and attachment of vascular cells on heparinized polycaprolactone membrane

The heparin-immobilized polycaprolactone (PCL) membrane was developed to investigate the effect of heparin on the adsorption behaviors of serum proteins, in particular fibronectin (Fn), and the attachment of different types of vascular cells. The heparin was covalently immobilized onto aminolyzed PCL membrane by amidation reaction. The grafting amount of heparin increased from 0.35   μg/cm 2 to 1.31   μg/cm 2 when the aminolysis time was prolonged from 10   min to 60   min. The adhesion of endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) on the heparinized PCL surface was significantly enhanced and reduced, respectively. The adsorption of Fn was strongly improved on the heparinized PCL surface than on the pristine PCL, and showed a positive correlation with the heparin density. Therefore, the adsorbed Fn takes a decisive role on the selective adhesion of ECs and the suppression of SMCs attachment.