Proteins at polysaccharide-based biointerfaces: A comparative study of QCM-D and electrokinetic measurements

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces, B, Biointerfaces B, Biointerfaces, 2023-01, Vol.221, p.113011-113011, Article 113011
• Main Authors: Ajdnik, Urban, Luxbacher, Thomas, Fras Zemljič, Lidija
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrokinetic measurements; Fibrinogen; Protein adsorption; QCM-D; Serum albumin; γ-globulin
• ISSN: 0927-7765; 1873-4367
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.113011

Controlling protein adsorption on biomaterial surfaces requires a thorough understanding of interfacial phenomena. Proteins adhering after implantation influence successful biointegration. Deciphering adsorption mechanisms at biointerfaces is crucial and of high interest. Here, a combination of time-resolved in situ electrokinetic measurements and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was employed to understand the adsorption phenomena of blood proteins at thin layers of polysaccharide-based biointerfaces. Adsorption kinetics of bovine serum albumin (BSA), fibrinogen (Fg), and γ-globulin (γG) was studied on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coatings functionalised with chitosan-surfactant complex and hyaluronic acid. The functionalised surfaces show a suppressed protein affinity compared to hydrophobic PDMS. Fg exhibits peculiar adsorption behaviour on PDMS, stemming from the highly oriented end-on adsorption with freely moving α chains. BSA demonstrates arbitrary surface orientation, while γG shows preferential surface orientation on PDMS, exposing a higher density of cationic moieties. The combination of the mentioned techniques proved beneficial for the investigation of interactions, orientations, and changes at biointerfaces in real-time. The approach is versatile and promising where research on surfaces and interfaces is in high demand. [Display omitted] •BSA, Fg, and γG adsorption near physiological conditions on different surfaces.•Investigation of interactions, orientations, and changes at biointerfaces.•Comparison of results from QCM-D and electrokinetic measurements.•Highly oriented end-on adsorption of Fg on PDMS with freely moving α chains.