Direct synthesis of heparin-like poly(ether sulfone) polymer and its blood compatibility

In this study, heparin-like poly(ethersulfone) (HLPES) was synthesized by a combination of polycondensation and post-carboxylation methods, and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum and gel permeation chromatography. Owing to the similar backbone structure, the synthesized HLPES could be directly blended with pristine PES at any ratios to prepare PES/HLPES membranes. After the introduction of HLPES, the microscopic structure of the modified PES membranes was changed, while the hydrophilicity was significantly enhanced. Bovine serum albumin and bovine serum fibrinogen adsorption, activated partial thromboplastin time, thromb time and platelet adhesion for the modified PES membranes were investigated. The results indicated that the blood compatibility of the PES/HLPES membranes was significantly improved compared with that of pristine PES membrane. For the PES/HLPES membranes, obvious decreases in platelet activation on PF-4 level, in complement activation on C3a and C5a levels, and in leukocytes activation on CD11b levels were observed compared with those for the pristine PES membrane. The improved blood compatibility of the PES/HLPES membrane might due to the existence of the hydrophilic groups (–SO3Na, –COONa). Furthermore, the modified PES membranes showed good cytocompatibility. Hepatocytes cultured on the PES/HLPES membranes presented improved growth in terms of SEM observation, MTT assay and confocal laser scanning microscope observation compared with those on the pristine PES membrane. These results indicate that the PES/HLPES membranes present great potential in blood-contact fields such as hemodialysis and bio-artificial liver supports.