Graphene-based materials: the key for the successful application of pHEMA as a blood-contacting device

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Andreia T. Pereira (Author) Other; Patrícia C. Henriques (Author) Other; Karl H. Schneider (Author) Other; Ana L. Pires (Author) Other; André M. Pereira (Author) Other; Maria Cristina L. Martins (Author) Other; Fernão D. Magalhães (Author) FEUP; Helga Bergmeister (Author) Other; Inês C. Gonçalves (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biomaterials Science

Vol. 9

Pages: 3362-3377

ISSN: 2047-4830

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-P0J

DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01699c

Abstract (EN): Thrombosis and infection are the leading causes of blood-contacting device (BCD) failure, mainly due to the poor performance of existing biomaterials. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) has excellent hemocompatibility but the weak mechanical properties impair its use as a bulk material for BCD. As such, pHEMA has been explored as a coating, despite the instability and difficulty of attachment to the underlying polymer compromise its success. This work describes the hydrogel composites made of pHEMA and graphene-based materials (GBM) that meet the biological and mechanical requirements for a stand-alone BCD. Five GBM differing in thickness, oxidation degree, and lateral size were incorporated in pHEMA, revealing that only oxidized-GBM can reinforce pHEMA. pHEMA/oxidized-GBM composites are cytocompatible and prevent the adhesion of endothelial cells, blood platelets, and bacteria (S. aureus), thus maintaining pHEMA's anti-adhesive properties. As a proof of concept, the thrombogenicity of the tubular prototypes of the best formulation (pHEMA/Graphene oxide (GO)) was evaluated in vivo, using a porcine arteriovenous-shunt model. pHEMA/GO conduits withstand the blood pressure and exhibit negligible adhesion of blood components, revealing better hemocompatibility than ePTFE, a commercial material for vascular access. Our findings reveal pHEMA/GO, a synthetic and off-the-shelf hydrogel, as a preeminent material for the design of blood-contacting devices that prevent thrombosis and bacterial adhesion.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16