Fabrication of a blood compatible composite membrane from chitosan nanoparticles, ethyl cellulose and bacterial cellulose sulfate

Abstract

A heparin-like composite membrane was fabricated through electrospinning chitosan nanoparticles (CN) together with an ethylcellulose (EC) ethanol solution onto a bacterial cellulose sulfate membrane (BCS). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that there were no chitosan particles in the obtained composite CN-EC/BCS membranes (CEB), indicating CN had been stretched to nanofibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified the existence of -NH₂ from chitosan and -SO₃ ^- from BCS on the surface of CEB membranes. Positively charged CN in the electrospinning solution and negatively charged BCS on the collector increased the electrostatic force and the electrospinning ability of the EC was increased. The membrane was hydrophobic, with a water contact angle higher than 120°. CEB membranes expressed good blood compatibility according to the results of coagulation time and platelet adhesion experiments. No platelets adhered on the surface of the CEB membranes. An inflammatory response was investigated according to activation of the macrophages seeded onto the membranes. Macrophages seeded on CEB membranes are not activated after 24 h incubation.

Fig. 1. FTIR spectra of BC and BCS.

Fig. 2. SEM images of EC, CE, and CEB membranes prepared at different electrospinning conditions (the bar of the images was 10 μm).

Fig. 3. XPS spectra of CEB4 and EC2.

Fig. 4. Water Contact Angles of CE and CEB membranes.

Fig. 5. SEM images of CE4 and CEB4 after contacting with PRP.

Fig. 6. Immunofluorescence photography image of CE4 and CEB4 membranes incubated with macrophages for 24 h in vitro.