LAUSR

Stable organic nitroxide radicals have been shown to exhibit similar cell biology signaling properties as the well-known but short-lived small molecule nitric oxide, such as affecting intracellular redox states and cell proliferation behavior. Biological processes might thus be amenable to biointerfacial regulation via release of stable nitroxide molecules from coatings applied onto biomedical devices. In this study, we utilized the facile and technologically attractive process of plasma polymerization for the deposition of thin layers containing stable nitroxide radicals, using TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl as the “monomer” for creating a thin polymeric film. Coatings (TEMPOpps) produced under various conditions were characterized by ellipsometry, XPS, ToF-SIMS, and EPR as well as in vitro biological effects on bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis), fungi (Candida albicans), and human cancer cells (KG1a). TEMPOpps were compared with plasma coatings from three structurally related precurso...