This paper demonstrates the hydrophilic polymers (mainly based on hydroxyethyl methacrylate) as a tool of cell biology. They represent a favourable model for the study of the influence of the molecular design of polymers on (1) bioactive protein adsorption, (2) cell adhesion and/or (3) control of their function. The influence of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of polymers and of the occurrence of charged functional chemical groups is able to influence the interaction of cells with these polymers. For example, the copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate with sodium methacrylate (-COO- groups) is only little recognized by macrophages, which could be used in clinical implantology. It is shown that, similar to natural macromolecules of the extracellular matrix, the synthetic polymers are able to participate in the control of cell function.

Department of Anatomy 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic

References provided by Crossref.org

Surface modification of hydrogels based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with extracellular matrix proteins

Cultivation of human keratinocytes without feeder cells on polymer carriers containing ethoxyethyl methacrylate: in vitro study

Macroporous hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Part III. Hydrogels as carriers for immobilization of proteins

Biological and biochemical properties of the carbon composite and polyethylene implant materials

Evaluation of biocompatibility of the copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with 2-(methylsulfanyl)ethyl methacrylate

Biological properties of copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with sulfopropyl methacrylate

Adhesion and proliferation of keratinocytes on ion beam modified polyethylene

Brain lesion-induced alteration of selected phenotypic properties of spleen macrophages and their partial restoration in the course of foreign body reaction against intraperitoneally implanted polymers

Phenotypic characterization of keratinocytes migrated from polymer support - in vitro study

Structure and biocompatibility of ion beam modified polyethylene

Comparative study of human monocyte and platelet adhesion to hydrogels in vitro - effect of polymer structure