Surface construction and biocompatibility of polymer materials as cardiovascular devices: Modified tissue-engineered endothelial cells on the surface of polymeric biomaterials

BACKGROUND: As the cardiovascular device, biomaterials applied under the blood-contact conditions should have anti-thrombotic, anti-biodegradable and anti-infective properties. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progression in polymer materials for implantation and intervention in cardiovascular tissue engineering and to explore the biocompatibility, blood compatibility and cytocompatibility of the surface-modified polymer biomaterials based on the surface endothelialization using tissue engineering techniques. METHODS: We retrieved PubMed and Wanfang databases for relevant articles publishing from 1963 to 2015. The key words were “Biocompatibility, Blood compatibility, Biomedical Materials, Biomedical polymer materials” in English and Chinese, respectively. Those unrelated, outdated and repetitive papers were excluded. Literatures addressing the blood compatibility, biocompatibility, and cytocompatibility of the surface-modified polymer biomaterials based on the surface endothelialization using tissue engineering techniques were investigated by summarizing function of vascular endothelial cells, tissue-engineered endothelial cells on the implant surface, fixation of cell growth-promoting factor on the surface of polymeric biomaterials, and endothelialization of the material surface. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totally 71 relevant articles were included. The tissue-engineered modification of endothelial cells on the surface of polymer biomaterials and their biocompatibility and cell compatibility are crucial for developing novel polymer materials for implantation and intervention in cardiovascular tissue engineering. Through in-depth studies of the types and applications of polymer biomaterials, cardiovascular medical devices and implantable soft tissue substitutes, the differences between the surface and the body will be reflected in the many layers of molecules extending from the surface to the body. Two major factors, surface energy and molecular mobility, determine the body/surface behaviors that include body/surface differences and phase separation. Considering the difference between the body/surface composition, an additional determinant is indispensable, that is, the crystallization behavior of each component.