PROTEIN ADSORPTION TO POLYMER PARTICLES - ROLE OF SURFACE-PROPERTIES

Adsorption isotherms of four plasma proteins (fibrinogen, IgG, human serum albumin, and bovine serum albumin) using four different types of small particles as substrates (siliconized glass, Teflon, polyvinylchloride, and Nylon-6,6) are reported. In keeping with the thermodynamic expectations for these systems, protein adsorption decreases for all solids in sequence from fibrinogen (the most hydrophobic) to IgG, human serum albumin, and bovine serum albumin (the most hydrophilic). Furthermore, the extent of protein adsorption also decreases from the low surface tension (hydrophobic) to the higher surface tension solids, again as expected on thermodynamic grounds.