How to Control the Recombinant Prion Protein Adhesion for Successful Storage Through Modification of Surface Properties

Depletion of neuroproteins on the inner walls of storage tubes influences the accuracy of tests used for identification of various neurodegenerative disorders. In this paper, a strategy is described for surface modification of Eppendorf tubes leading to non-adhesive properties towards the recombinant human prion proteins (PrPrechum). Tubes were pre-activated by helium plasma and grafted with three diverse coatings: pure poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), PNIPAM admixed with either neutral PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate (PEG(20)) or positively charged cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at varying plasma activation times and polymer to surfactant ratios. New functionalized surfaces were analyzed by goniometry, streaming potential measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, whereas the protein adhesion was monitored by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and confocal microscopy. The mapping of PrPrechum adhesion associated with surface analyses enabled us to determine that no or negligible depletion of PrPrechum can be obtained by surfaces possessing basic component in the range between 50 and 60 mJ m−2 and streaming potential ζ7.4 ~ −50 mV.