Polyaspartic acid coatings for blood-contacting surfaces: Promising antithrombotic and antibacterial properties under static and dynamic conditions

The increasing use of blood-contacting medical devices has brought about significant advancements in patient care, yet it also presents challenges such as thrombus formation and infection risks. Surface coatings play a vital role in mitigating these side effects, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of such devices. In this study, we introduced a novel coating employing poly(aspartic acid) (PASP), which can be easily applied through various modification pathways. PASP has demonstrated the ability to resist surface coagulation and exhibited antibacterial properties <i>in vitro</i> under both static and dynamic flow conditions. The results showed that PASP coatings significantly reduced platelet adhesion and thrombus formation, with the blood clot area percentage being reduced to 1.0 ± 0.5% from 9.7 ± 4.6% on uncoated surfaces. Furthermore, PASP coatings showed a notable reduction in <i>E. coli</i> adhesion, with bacterial levels decreasing to 71.5 ± 12.6%. These findings suggest that PASP is a promising candidate for enhancing the biocompatibility and functionality of blood-contacting medical devices, with potential for further development in antibacterial and antithrombotic applications.