Adhesion of U-937 monocytes on different amine-functionalised polymer surfaces

Human U-937 monocytes are notoriously reluctant to adhere to normally cell-adhering surfaces, for example tissue-culture poly(styrene). In earlier work, these laboratories observed that organic thin films prepared by plasma- or ultraviolet-assisted polymerisation, so-called PVP:N, did facilitate the adhesion and proliferation of U-937 under the condition that the concentration of primary amines exceed a critical value, [NH 2] crit 4.2 at.%. That criterion being satisfied by pristine Parylene diX AM, we have compared its performance with those of particular types of PVP:N, L-PPE:N and UV-PE:N. Here, we report a study of aging of these coating types in atmospheric air, then of time-dependent adhesion of U-937 cells. Although there are similarities, the coatings also manifest interesting differences that so far elude detailed understanding. Human U-937 monocytes do not adhere to normally cell-adhering surfaces, e.g. tissue-culture poly(styrene). We reported that organic thin films did facilitate the adhesion and proliferation of U-937, provided that the concentration of primary amines exceed a critical value, [NH 2] crit 4.2 at.%. That criterion being satisfied by pristine Parylene diX AM, we have compared its performance with L-PPE:N and UV-PE:N, particular types of PVP:N. We report aging of these coating types in atmospheric air, then of time-dependent adhesion of U-937 cells. The coatings manifest interesting differences that so far elude detailed understanding.