Glycoconjugate mediated endothelial cell adhesion to Dacron polyester film*

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore new strategies for enhancing specific cell type attachment to biomaterials using immobilized lectins for cell surface glycoconjugates. The lectin Ulex europaeus I (UEA I) has a high affinity for human vascular endothelial cell surface glycoconjugates. Methods: UEA I was covalently bound to polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron) with the cross-linking agent 1-ethyl-3-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride to achieve oligosaccharide-mediated endothelial cell attachment to this otherwise nonadherent surface. Results: Experiments with radiolabeled UEA I demonstrated covalent linkage of as much as 1.35 μg/cm 2 . The lectin binding site is available after the reaction, as demonstrated in experiments a neoglycoprotein. Adhesion studies reveal a 100-fold increase in endothelial cell attachment for the UEA I/polyethylene terephthalate surface (99.7 ± 29.6 cells/high-power field) when compared with untreated (0.7 ± 0.5), crosslinking agent (0.4 ± 0.3), and denatured UEA I (1.2 ± 1.1) control groups. Five vascular endothelial cell lines adhered to the UEA I/polyethylene terephthalate surface, whereas monocytes, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts did not. Conclusion: These results imply new strategies for endothelialization of prosthetic grafts and promotion of selective cell adherence to biomaterials, with emphasis on carbohydrate interactions. Moreover, this experimental system offers a model for exploring the biologic significance of the endothelial cell-UEA I ligand. (J VASC SURG 1993;18:486-94.)