Abstract

Heparin-like polymers have a good anticoagulant e?ect due to some groups similar to heparin. Herein, sulfonated keratin(SK) was prepared by chain transfer radical polymerization of  3-sulfopropyl methacrylate(SPMA) to improve blood coagulation nature of keratin. Poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL)/SK nano?brous mats with the ratio of 7 and 3 were then fabricated by electrospinning. In vitro cytotoxicity and blood compatibility tests were performed to assess the biocompatibility. Viability of NIH 3T3 cells on PCL/SK mats was higher than that on the pristine PCL mats, indicating their good cytocompatibility. These sulfonated keratin-containing mats enhanced endothelial cell growth, while inhibited smooth muscle cell proliferation and reduced platelet adhesion in the presence of GSH and GSNO, as a result of NO generation. Furthermore, the biocomposite mats prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) e?ectively without hemolysis. Taken together, PCL/SK mats are potential for applications in vascular tissue engineering