Adhesion and cytokine production by monocytes on poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine‐co‐alkyl methacrylate)‐coated polymers

Human monocytes isolated from peripheral venous blood were assayed for their ability to adhere to various polymers. The culture supernatants were also assayed for the cytokines, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). The polymers evaluated for adherence and cytokine production included Pellethane®, polyethylene and poly[n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA)] coated with poly[2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)‐co‐alkyl methacrylate] copolymers. In some experiments the test polymers were adsorbed with fibrinogen or IgG prior to the addition of monocytes. MPC copolymer‐coated materials inhibited monocyte and macrophage adhesion after 1 and 8 days of culture relative to corresponding uncoated polymers and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). The degree of inhibition by coated Pellethane compared to uncoated Pellethane was the greatest, while inhibition of adhesion by coated poly(BMA) was the least compared to uncoated poly(BMA). However, adhesion was significantly decreased on both coated and uncoated poly(BMA) by day 8. While IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α release was variably influenced by polymer coating, release was consitently inhibited relative to TCPS on day 1. However, cytokine production was not inhibited compared to corresponding uncoated polymers on day 1. With or without protein preadsorption, IL‐1β release was not detectable in the supernatants of any polymer on day 8, IL‐6 production was diminished on day 8, and TNF‐α production was sustained on day 8. Overall, MPC copolymercoated and uncoated poly(BMA) were the least stimulating, while TCPS was the most stimulating. These studies suggest that MPC copolymers may improve the cell adhesion‐resistant properties of a biomaterial while variably influencing the activation of cells which may contact the coated surface. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.