Vinyl-monomer with lysine side chains for preparing copolymer surfaces with fibrinolytic activity

A methacrylic monomer containing lysine side groups in which the epsilon-amino and carboxylic acid groups were protected, was synthesized and copolymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) to obtain a series of copolymers (P(HEMA/Lys(P))) of varying composition. After deprotection of the epsilon-amino and carboxylic acid groups, the corresponding copolymers (P(HEMA/Lys)) were obtained and showed good film-forming properties. P(HEMA/Lys) films were shown to reduce fibrinogen (Fg) adsorption compared to controls and to bind a large quantity of plasminogen from plasma. The plasminogen binding capacity of the copolymer films could be regulated by varying the copolymer composition. Upon activation of adsorbed plasminogen to plasmin, the films were able to rapidly lyse fibrin formed on their surface. These novel copolymers are promising candidates for blood contacting applications.