PROTEIN ADSORPTION OF BIOMEDICAL POLYMERS INFLUENCES ACTIVATED MONOCYTES TO PRODUCE FIBROBLAST STIMULATING FACTORS

The studies presented in this manuscript were based upon the hypothesis that monocytes/macrophages selectively produce cytokines and growth factors due to their interactions with polymers and proteins which are adsorbed to their surfaces. These factors in turn selectively influence the ability of fibroblasts to proliferate. The factors which influence fibroblast proliferation were released from monocytes incubated with polymers: Biomer(R), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyethylene (PE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), Dacron, and control polystyrene with and without preadsorption with physiological concentrations of IgG, fibrinogen, fibronectin, hemoglobin, or albumin. No simple correlation was found between adsorbed protein, biomedical polymer, and the ability of monocytes to produce growth factors and cytokines which influence fibroblast proliferation. This is evidence for selective protein-polymer interactions which in turn selectively activate monocytes to produce variable cell cycle competence and progression factors controlling fibroblast growth.