QCM-D Elucidation of Fibrinogen Adsorption States on Blood-Compatible Polymer Surfaces

To quantitatively evaluate differences in antithrombogenicity, poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA), and poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-<i>co</i>-<i>n</i>-butyl methacrylate) (P(MPC-<i>co</i>-BMA)) were spin-coated on gold QCM-D (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation) sensors, and the adsorption behaviors of fibrinogen (Fg) on these polymer surfaces was analyzed. The resulting Δ<i>D</i>-Δ<i>f</i> plots exhibited clearly the distinct profiles among the polymers: an elastic adsorption state was observed on PBMA, a more viscous adsorption state induced by relatively weak interactions was observed on PMEA, and polymer-based repulsion against Fg was on P(MPC-<i>co</i>-BMA). These results highlight the advantage of the QCM-D technique as an evaluation method for antithrombogenicity and further reveal the differing mechanisms by which PMEA and P(MPC-<i>co</i>-BMA) exhibit their antithrombogenic properties.