A Strategy for the Covalent Functionalization of Resorbable Polymers with Heparin and Osteoinductive Growth Factor

The chemical strategy presented herein is the nondestructive preparation of resorbable polymer scaffolds with heparin covalently bonded to the surface and an osteoinductive growth factor, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2, immobilized in the heparin layer. The coupling scheme involves functionalization of surfaces by grafting in the vapor phase with poly( l-lactide) and poly(-caprolactone) films chosen as representative substrates. The biocompatibility of functionalized surfaces was verified by a much improved attachment and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).