Tan, AaronFarhatnia, YasminGoh, DebbieNatasha, Gde Mel, AchalaLim, JingTeoh, Swee-HinMalkovskiy, Andrey VChawla, ReemaRajadas, JayakumarCousins, Brian GHamblin, MichaelAlavijeh, Mohammad SSeifalian, Alexander M2014-05-062013Tan, A., Y. Farhatnia, D. Goh, G. Natasha, A. de Mel, J. Lim, S. Teoh, et al. 2013. “Surface modification of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU) nanocomposite polymer as a stent coating for enhanced capture of endothelial progenitor cells.” Biointerphases 8 (1): 22. doi:10.1186/1559-4106-8-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1559-4106-8-23.1934-8630http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:12152913An unmet need exists for the development of next-generation multifunctional nanocomposite materials for biomedical applications, particularly in the field of cardiovascular regenerative biology. Herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of a novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU) nanocomposite polymer with covalently attached anti-CD34 antibodies to enhance capture of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). This material may be used as a new coating for bare metal stents used after balloon angioplasty to improve re-endothelialization. Biophysical characterization techniques were used to assess POSS-PCU and its subsequent functionalization with anti-CD34 antibodies. Results indicated successful covalent attachment of anti-CD34 antibodies on the surface of POSS-PCU leading to an increased propensity for EPC capture, whilst maintaining in vitro biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. POSS-PCU has already been used in 3 first-in-man studies, as a bypass graft, lacrimal duct and a bioartificial trachea. We therefore postulate that its superior biocompatibility and unique biophysical properties would render it an ideal candidate for coating medical devices, with stents as a prime example. Taken together, anti-CD34 functionalized POSS-PCU could form the basis of a nano-inspired polymer platform for the next generation stent coatings.en-USPOSS-PCUStent coatingsAnti-CD34 antibodyEndothelializationEndothelial progenitor cell captureNanotechnologyRegenerative medicineBiomaterialsJournal Article2014-05-0610.1186/1559-4106-8-23