Polyurethane/phosphatidylcholine composite nanofibers conjugated with heparin-tagged cerium oxide nanoparticles for surface modification of cardiovascular stents

Nanotextured coating strategies have become a new option to achieve the rupture atheroma thin layer after endovascular stent application. In this study, polyurethane (PU)/phosphatidylcholine (PC) nanofibers functionalized with heparin (HEP)-conjugated nanoceria (CeNPs) were designed to target athero...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Nanotextured coating strategies have become a new option to achieve the rupture atheroma thin layer after endovascular stent application. In this study, polyurethane (PU)/phosphatidylcholine (PC) nanofibers functionalized with heparin (HEP)-conjugated nanoceria (CeNPs) were designed to target atherosclerotic plaque. PU-PC combination was processed into highly porous, defect-free nanofibrous membranes on the 316L stainless steel stent by electrospinning. Contrary to hydrophobic and smooth PU, upon functionalization with PC, the coating materials are gained a more hydrophilic and rough feature. 100% HEP was released from coated stents within 10 days, indicating the stents can be used to repair the damaged blood vessel after stenting processing. To determine the ROS scavenging ability of nanofiber coatings on stent, the obtained fluorescence microscopy images were given and the images showed that especially HEP-CeNPs-PU:PC group was more effective in scavenging intracellular ROS. In addition to that, the cholesterol accumulation reduced proportionally with increases in concentration of PC. Graphical abstract Ausführliche Beschreibung