Surface modification for enhancing behaviors of vascular endothelial cells onto polyurethane films by microwave-induced argon plasma

Polyurethanes (PUs) are widely used in cardiovascular and other biomedical applications due to their good biocompatibility as well as mechanical properties. However, PUs are poor substrates in supporting the adhesion and growth of vascular endothelial cells. In this study, the surface of PU films was modified by microwave-induced argon plasma treatment in order to improve the hemocompatibility of the films used as cardiovascular prostheses including vascular grafts and stents. The modified surface of PU films was characterized by water contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Plasma treatment resulted in an appreciable increase in the surface roughness of PU films with a concomitant decrease in the contact angle of the films, suggesting that the hydrophilicity of the film surface might be subsequently enhanced. Furthermore, the cellular behaviors of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells, such as attachment, growth and proliferation, were significantly increased onto the surface-modified PU films. In conclusion, the surface modification of PU films by microwave-induced plasma could enhance the behaviors of endothelial cells and the method would be usefully applied to cardiovascular tissue engineering.