Supramolecular surface functionalization via catechols for the improvement of cell–material interactions

Optimization of cell-material interactions is crucial for the success of synthetic biomaterials in guiding tissue regeneration. To do so, catechol chemistry is often used to introduce adhesiveness into biomaterials. Here, a supramolecular approach based on ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) modified polymers is combined with catechol chemistry in order to achieve improved cellular adhesion onto supramolecular biomaterials. UPy-modified hydrophobic polymers with non-cell adhesive properties are developed that can be bioactivated via a modular approach using UPy-modified catechols. It is shown that successful formulation of the UPy-catechol additive with the UPy-polymer results in surfaces that induce cardiomyocyte progenitor cell adhesion, cell spreading, and preservation of cardiac specific extracellular matrix production. Hence, by functionalizing supramolecular surfaces with catechol functionalities, an adhesive supramolecular biomaterial is developed that allows for the possibility to contribute to biomaterial-based regeneration.