Photoiniferter-Based Thermoresponsive Graft Architecture with Albumin Covalently Fixed at Growing Graft Chain End

The aim of this study was to develop a novel surface graft architecture in which albumin is covalently fixed at the growing chain end of the hydrophilic polymers: poly(N, N-dimethylacylamide), PDMAM, and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM. Photoiniferter-based surface-grafted polymers were prepared using either an albuminated iniferter or a nonalbuminated iniferter, both of which were derivatized on glass surfaces, and ultraviolet (UV)-light-irradiated in the presence of a DMAM or NIPAM monomer. Surface chemical composition analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, immunostaining using fluorescence labeled antibody and the measurement of graft thickness, as determined from force-distance curves obtained in water at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C by atomic force microscopy, evidenced that the thickness of graft layer increased with photoirradiation time and albumin molecules exist at growing chain ends. For PNIPAM-grafted surfaces, the interconversion between swollen and collapsed graft chains was observed below and above the lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAM. The potential application of a thermoresponsive graft with albumin covalently fixed at its growing chain end was discussed in terms of "active" nonfouling surface design based on the temperature-dependent switching of phase transition.