Two methods of surface modification for Poly (ethylene oxide terephtalate) / Poly (butylene terephtalate) to improve its cell affinity

Aim. To study the effects of two methods of surface treatment for Poly(ethylene oxide terephtalate)/Poly(butylene terephtalate) (PEOT/PBT) on the cell affinity of human salivary gland cells as the basis of the research on biomaterial modification. Methods. Surface properties of modified materials were characterized by contact angle measurement, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cell morphological observation was carried out under invert microscopy. Cell attaching efficiency and MTT test were also used to evaluate the cell affinity of materials. Results. Water contact angle decreased from 82° to 71° approximately after gelatin was successfully introduced into the surface of materials, with an insignificant rise in the hydrophilicity of the material. The anchoring rate of the cells cultured for 6 hours was 21.2%, significantly lower than those of the cells treated with gelatin (36.7%) and ammonia plasma(67.4%). It was indicated that the affinity of cells significantly rose after surface treatment. The MTT test showed that the number of reactive cells before treatment was less than that after treatment on the surface of the material cultured for 72 hours, with a significant difference. The plasma was more efficient in improvement of the cell affinity. Conclusions. Surface treatment of gelatin and ammonia plasma treatment efficiently improve the cell affinity of PEOT/PBT.