Among biocompatible polymers, a polymer family containing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) has attracted attention for fundamental studies and applications. MPC polymers are synthetic phospholipid polymers with zwitterionic phosphorylcholine (PC) head groups, which can form cell-membrane-like structures on various material surfaces. This special surface structure has a unique capacity to prevent nonspecific protein adsorption (NPA) and thus biofouling by the adsorption of biomolecules, cells, and other biological entities. This property is helpful in applications involving biological entities (e.g., proteins, other biomolecules, cells), biological samples (e.g., tears, saliva), contact with plasma and whole blood, and implantation in the body or other biological environments[1].
Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), containing a phosphorylcholine group in the side chain is a most suitable monomer to mimic the phospholipid polar groups contained with cell membranes. MPC block copolymers are biocompatible in nature; it shows desirable interaction with living tissues. It is hydroscopic in nature.
[1] Seetasang, Sasikarn and Yan Xu. “Recent progress and perspectives in applications of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymers in biodevices at small scales.” Journal of Materials Chemistry B 14 (2022): 2323–2337.
