Functional plasma polymer films for the purification of pancreatic β cells

Pure pancreatic beta cells play a major role in multiple areas of diabetic research, nevertheless, the separation of beta cells remains a challenge. The objective of this study is to show the feasibility of using plasma polymers to remove fibroblasts from beta cells. Oxygen- and nitrogen-rich organic coatings with different O and N concentrations were prepared by plasma copolymerization of binary gas mixtures combining a hydrocarbon and a heteroatom-containing gas. The separation of cell pancreatic and fibroblast cell lines was tested using various plasma polymers. The results showed that a unique oxygen-rich coating with similar to 13% of oxygen, promoted fibroblast separation with 82% selectivity. The results support the concept that plasma polymers could be a suitable substrate for the selective adhesion and removal of fibroblasts.