Comparison of conjugating chondroitin sulfate A and B on amine-rich surface: For deeper understanding on directing cardiovascular cells fate

Abstract Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is often used as an ideal drug for long-term prevention of cardiovascular diseases with the advantages of anti-inflammation and promoting blood circulation. In the previous work, the natural CS was conjugated onto the amine rich surface to enhance the biocompatibility of cardiovascular stents. In this study, we choose an artificial CS subtype, CS B, as the functional molecule to prepare a functionalized surface on the poly-dopamine (PDA)/hexanediamine (HD) co-deposited stent to direct the cardiovascular cells fate in comparison with the coating prepared with the natural CS subtype, CS A. Although the PDA/HD-CS B coating exhibited no advantage of inhibiting platelet adhesion compared to PDA/HD-CS A coating, it showed stronger functions on inhibiting adhesion of whole blood composition, further reducing the thrombosis, and contributing broader lumen patency and more blood flow. In addition, PDA/HD-CS B was endowed better ability on directing the fate of vascular cells, i.e. smooth muscle cells (SMC), macrophages, endothelial cells (EC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Surprisingly, as the main natural subtype of CS, CS A didn't contribute to the formation of endothelial monolayer within 30 days like CS, while the conjugated CS B obtained a complete endothelial monolayer benefiting from its stronger function on regulating the cardiovascular cells behaviors in time sequence and space sequence.