Attachment of human keratinocytes to plasma co-polymers of acrylic acid octa-1,7-diene and allyl amine octa-1,7-diene

Plasma co-polymers (PCPs) of acrylic acid/octa-1,7-diene and allyl amine/octa-1,7-diene have been prepared and characterised using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The use of a hydrocarbon diluent in the monomer feed allowed the deposition of films with controlled concentrations of carboxylic acid and nitrogen-containing functional groups. Human keratinocytes were cultured on these PCP surfaces, tissue culture poly(styrene) (TCPS) and collagen I. The level of keratinocyte attachment over 24 h was measured. PCP surfaces containing low concentrations of carboxylic acid groups (2.3%) were found to promote keratinocyte attachment. The performance of these PCPs was similar to collagen I, a well established substratum for attachment. Nitrogen-containing PCP surfaces were found to promote attachment at higher functional group concentrations, although the attachment did not attain the level achieved on the acid functionalised PCP surfaces.