To direct protein and cellular behavior at the surface of synthetic materials, both localized chemical signaling and control over surface properties are required. To achieve requisite drug delivery dosages, hydrophobic polymers are often employed that slowly elute a therapeutic agent from the bulk material into systemic circulation. However, the surface free energy of the hydrophobic material can lead to deposition of undesired proteins and activation of the clotting. To overcome these challenges, advanced material platforms are needed to achieve localized therapeutic action and customizable surface properties. Herein, we present the development of H₂O(v) plasma-treated PLGA-nitric oxide (NO) releasing materials. NO is a well-established anti-platelet and anti-microbial agent, and the NO release rate can be controlled by the hydrophobic nature of the bulk material where it was incorporated. Plasma treatment conditions were optimized to maintaining the NO release function while rendering the surface hydrophilicity. Despite the plasma conditions employed, the material retained 80-90% of the S-nitrosothiol content, while the NO release profiles were unaltered compared to the control. The change in the surface wettability was confirmed by water contact angle measurements. Extensive surface (XPS) and bulk (ATR FT-IR) chemical characterization demonstrated that the changes in wettability was due to the implantation of O-containing surface functional groups such as carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. In addition, optical profilometry analysis confirmed no statistically significant changes in the surface roughness compared to the control. Furthermore, the materials show minimal hydrophobic recovery after several days stored at -20°C. By combining both chemical signaling and surface treatments into one material, we expect to reduce activation of clotting cascade and enhance the biocompatibility of the materials.

Artificial porous polymeric membranes are used in many applications including water filtration systems and devices to treat blood for a broad variety of therapeutic purposes. In water filtration systems, membranes are used to remove colloidal particles and organic molecules from the watercourse and, in medical treatments, they function primarily to eliminate toxins from the blood before it is returned to the patient’s body. Although these are very different applications, both are affected by membrane fouling from proteins, toxins, bacteria, and cells, which significantly decrease flow through the porous material. Surface modification techniques that retain the desired bulk properties are the ideal method for obtaining low-fouling membranes, thus extending their life-time in applications where they are exposed to fouling conditions. Here, we will present the properties of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes subjected to H₂O plasma and their performance when exposed to proteins and bacteria. Plasma treated membranes showed enhanced hydrodynamic characteristics (i.e. increase in water flux) as a result of their high hydrophilicity. Notably, hydrophilic characteristics were retained for more than six months, ensuring top-shelf stability of the surface treatment. In terms of protein fouling performance, treated membranes show less bovine serum albumin adsorption than untreated membranes and cleaning of treated fouled membranes yields 70-90% flux recovery depending on plasma treatment time. This surface modification provides a mechanism for extending the life-time of the membranes.

Neuronal process growth is guided by extrinsic environmental cues such as extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). Recent reports have described that the growth cone extension is superior across gradients of the ECM protein laminin compared to growth across uniformly distributed laminin. In this work, we have prepared gradients of laminin on aligned electrospun nanofibers for use as substrates for neuronal growth. The substrates therefore presented both topographical and chemical guidance cues. Step gradients were prepared by the controlled robotic immersion of plasma-treated polycaprolactone fibers reacted with N-hydroxysuccinimide into the protein solution. The gradients were analyzed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Gradients with a dynamic range of protein concentrations were successfully generated and neurite outgrowth was evaluated using neuron-like PC12 cells. After 10 days of culture, PC12 neurite lengths varied from 32.7 ± 14.2 µm to 76.3 ± 9.1 µm across the protein concentration gradient. Neurite lengths at the highest concentration end of the gradient were significantly longer than neurite lengths observed for cells cultured on samples with uniform protein coverage. Gradients were prepared both in the fiber direction and transverse to the fiber direction. Neurites preferentially aligned with the fiber direction in both cases indicating that fiber alignment has a more dominant role in controlling neurite orientation, compared to the chemical gradient.