Dual-thermoresponsive phase behavior of blood compatible zwitterionic copolymers containing nonionic poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)

Biomacromolecules. 2009 Aug 10;10(8):2092-100. doi: 10.1021/bm900208u.

Abstract

Thermoresponsive statistical copolymers of zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) and nonionic N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) were prepared with an average molecular weight of about 6.0 kDa via homogeneous free radical copolymerization. The aqueous solution properties of poly(SBMA-co-NIPAAm) were measured using a UV--visible spectrophotometer. The copolymers exhibited controllable lower and upper critical solution temperatures in aqueous solution and showed stimuli-responsive phase transition in the presence of salts. Regulated zwitterionic and nonionic molar mass ratios led to poly(SBMA-co-NIPAAm) copolymers having double-critical solution temperatures, where the water-insoluble polymer microdomains are generated by the zwitterionic copolymer region of polySBMA or nonionic copolymer region of polyNIPAAm depending on temperature. A high content of the nonionic polyNIPAAm in poly(SBMA-co-NIPAAm) exhibits nonionic aggregation at high temperatures due to the desolvation of polyNIPAAm, whereas relatively low content of polyNIPAAm in poly(SBMA-co-NIPAAm) exhibits zwitterionic aggregation at low temperatures due to the desolvation of polySBMA. Plasma protein adsorption on the surface coated with poly(SBMA-co-NIPAAm) was measured with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. The copolymers containing polySBMA above 29 mol % showed extremely low protein adsorption and high anticoagulant activity in human blood plasma. The tunable and switchable thermoresponsive phase behavior of poly(SBMA-co-NIPAAm), as well as its high plasma protein adsorption resistance and anticoagulant activity, suggests a potential for blood-contacting applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / chemistry*
  • Anticoagulants / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Blood Proteins / chemistry*
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Phase Transition
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Acrylamides
  • Anticoagulants
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Blood Proteins
  • Polymers
  • Gold
  • N-isopropylacrylamide