Polyphenolic tannin-based polyelectrolyte multilayers on poly(vinyl chloride) for biocompatible and antiadhesive coatings with antimicrobial properties

• Published in: Progress in organic coatings 2024-09, Vol.194, p.108629, Article 108629
• Main Authors: de Oliveira, Ariel C., Madruga, Liszt Y.C., Chevallier, Pascale, Copes, Francesco, Mantovani, Diego, Vilsinski, Bruno H., Popat, Ketul C., Kipper, Matt J., Souza, Paulo R., Martins, Alessandro F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood-contact applications; Polyphenols; Tanfloc; Tannins; Weibull black
• ISSN: 0300-9440; 1873-331X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.porgcoat.2024.108629

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a synthetic polymer, is used in various biomedical applications, particularly in the development of catheters. PVC-based catheters are engineered for blood-contacting applications. However, these materials lack antimicrobial properties, resulting in bacterial proliferation and subsequent infections. To overcome this disadvantage, blood-compatible and antimicrobial polyphenolic tannin-based surface coatings, known as polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs), were adsorbed onto PVC for the first time. PEMs were created on reduced PVC (Red-PVC) or oxidized PVC (Oxi-PVC) substrates using the layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. An amino-functionalized polyphenolic tannin derivative (TN-NH2), commercially known as Tanfloc, and an unmodified polyphenolic tannin (TN), commercially known as Weibull black, were assembled (15 layers) on Oxi-PVC or Red-PVC at pH 5.0. PVC substrates and PEMs were characterized through atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The PEMs showed enhanced wettability compared to the unmodified PVC, with water contact angles ranging from 42° to 38°. The root mean square (Rq) roughness of the PEMs ranged from 64.5 nm to 74.1 nm, while the unmodified PVC surface displayed a relatively smooth surface with a roughness of 5.4 nm. Stability tests demonstrated that the PEMs maintained their integrity in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) over seven days at 37°C. The obtained PEMs were not toxic to human fibroblasts and human erythrocytes. The Live/Dead antimicrobial assay results indicated that the PEMs possessed biocidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and antiadhesive capacity toward Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and P. aeruginosa after 24 h of incubation. Cytocompatible and antimicrobial tannin-based PEMs on modified PVC surfaces can represent a significant advancement in mitigating bacterial infections associated with PVC-based catheters. •Polyphenolic and amino-functionalized polyphenolic tannins were assembled on poly(vinyl chloride).•The surface coatings are cytocompatible toward fibroblast and red blood cells.•The surface coatings supported outstanding antiadhesive properties.•The surface coatings showed antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.•Surface coatings can mitigate bacterial infections associated with catheters.