Establishment of an in vitro thrombogenicity test system with cyclic olefin copolymer substrate for endothelial layer formation

Lau, Skadi; Liu, Yue; Maier, Anna; Braune, Steffen; Gossen, Manfred; Neffe, Axel T.; Lendlein, Andreas

In vitro thrombogenicity test systems require co-cultivation of endothelial cells and platelets under blood flow-like conditions. Here, a commercially available perfusion system is explored using plasma-treated cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) as a substrate for the endothelial cell layer. COC was characterized prior to endothelialization and co-cultivation with platelets under static or flow conditions. COC exhibits a low roughness and a moderate hydrophilicity. Flow promoted endothelial cell growth and prevented platelet adherence. These findings show the suitability of COC as substrate and the importance of blood flow-like conditions for the assessment of the thrombogenic risk of drugs or cardiovascular implant materials. [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1557/s43579-021-00072-6.