Photo-immobilized heparin micropatterns on Ti–O surface: preparation, characterization, and evaluation in vitro

In order to harmonize the functions of both anticoagulation and accelerating endothelialization simultaneously, the micropatterns were fabricated by photoimmobilizing heparin, functionalized with a photoreactive moiety, on 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid modified titanium oxide (Ti–O) substrates. The amount of heparin immobilized on the surfaces was determined using the toluidine blue assay. And the surface morphology of the patterns was examined using scanning electron microscopy and surface profiler. The platelet adhesion and endothelial cell behavior in terms of adhesion, proliferation, and orientation were investigated in vitro. It is clear that the heparin patterns can reduce the platelet adhesion, and promote endothelial cells spreading and proliferation compared to nonpatterned heparin sample. Furthermore, the microstripes with appropriate size can induce the cells to elongate and arrange along the stripe direction. This may suggest a new modification method for blood-contacting device.