Protein immobilization on the surface of poly-L-lactic acid films for improvement of cellular interactions

To covalently immobilize gelatin or collagen type I on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) film surfaces poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) or poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) was grafted via photooxidization and subsequent UV-induced polymerization [Makromol. Chem. 186 (1985) 1533.1]. For films grafted with PHEMA, methyl sulfonyl chloride was used to activate the hydroxyl groups and for films grafted with PMAA 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide was used to activate the carboxyl groups. Gelatin and collagen were finally reacted with the activated hydroxyl or carboxyl groups to obtain covalently immobilized protein layers. Grafting of PHEMA, PMAA and protein on the surfaces was confirmed using ATR-IR and XPS. Surface wettability of the modified films was improved. The protein immobilized PLLA may be widely used as a biocompatible material.