Adhesion and growth of smooth muscle cells on CNx coatings

DLC and CNx coatings were prepared on polytetrafluoroethylene using ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD), under different bombarding conditions. Heparin was covalently coupled to the CNx coating surface after plasma treatment to research the effect of the combination of carbon films and surface-immobilized bioactive biomolecules with antithrombogenic properties to the biocompatibility of the surface. The DLC and CNx coatings and heparinized CNx coatings were employed to support attachment of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. The structures and surface property of the coatings were evaluated using different characterization techniques to examine their effect on cell adhesion, morphology and motility. The hemocompatibility of the coatings was evaluated by thrombin test. The result revealed that the CNx coating has comparable hemocompatibility with the DLC coating. The heparinized CNx coatings could improve the hemocompatibility and restrain the proliferation of cells.