Cellular interactions of monodisperse poly(GDMA) latex particles-containing DMAEM brushes

Monodisperse latex particles, 791 nm in diameter, were synthesized by single-stage precipitation polymerization of glycerol dimethacrylate (GDMA). Then N,N-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEM) brushes were created on the surface of poly(GDMA) particles by copper-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The poly(GDMA–DMAEM) particles exhibit thermosensitive properties since DMAEM brushes give cationic character to the poly(GDMA) latex particles. In L929 mouse fibroblast cell cultures no toxicity against cell proliferation was observed when the particle concentration was 25 ng per cell. Poly (GDMA) and poly(GDMA–DMAEM) latex particles attached well onto the polystyrene cell culture dishes. Cellular interactions between fibroblasts and latex particles were investigated on these particle-coated culture plates by means of microscopic observations (optic microscope and scanning electron microscope, SEM) and MTT assay. The results indicated that the poly(GDMA–DMAEM) particles can facilitate cell attachment and proliferation due to the presence of positively charged amino groups on their surfaces. These surface coated latex particles may find useful applications as adhesion modifiers for cells in biomedical devices.