Biomaterial active adhesion

Mechanisms of Leukocyte Adsorption. The exact mechanism of leukocyte adhesion to filter media is not yet fuUy understood. Multiple mechanisms simultaneously contribute to the adhesion of cells to biomaterials, however, physical and biological mechanisms have been distinguished. Physical mechanisms include barrier phenomenon, surface tension, and electrostatic charge biological mechanisms include cell activation and cell to cell binding. 

The in vitro study of the hemocompatibility of biomaterials requires the consideration of many parameters, static or dynamic contact, flow rate, wall shear rate, form of biomaterial to be tested, pathway to consider (platelet adhesion, platelet activation, complement activation, contact phase activation etc..) and duration of contact(39). It has previously been demonstrated t t hemodynamic circumstances play a significant role in determining localization, growth and fiagmentation of thrombi and platelet adhesion in vivo, and that flow rate controls platelet transport to a surface and their adhesion (40). This evidence is siqtpoited by observed differences in platelet activity predominance in venous and arterial flow (41). Qearly, defining the blood compatibility of a material is a conqrromise between a number of these factors. 

DeFife K M, Hagen K M, Clapper D L, et al. (1999). Photochemically immobilized polymer coatings effects on protein adsorption, cell adhesion, and leukocyte activation. Journal of Biomaterials Science. Polymer Edition. 10(10) 1063-1074. 

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