Graphene oxide nanosheets and d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) doping improves biocompatibility and ultrafiltration in polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes

Novel graphene oxide (G)-and d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (T)-doped polyethersulfone (P) hollow fiber membranes (GTP HFMs) were efficiently prepared. GTP HFMs were found to be a desirable biocompatible substrate for attachment and proliferation of human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK-293) cells. Significantly high porosity (94.58 ± 1.1%), low contact angle (61.1 ± 2.5°), low hemolysis (0.58% in batch mode and 0.64% in continuous mode), low terminal complement complex activation (SC5b-9 marker level ∼6.73 ng/mL), prolonged blood coagulation time, and low platelet adhesion were measured for GTP HFMs indicating the superior suitability of GTP HFMs for blood-contact applications. Further, SEM and confocal laser microscopy studies showed the significantly high HEK-293 cells attachment and proliferation on GTP HFMs which was corroborated by results of glucose consumption analysis and MTT cell proliferation assay. High ultrafiltration coefficient (110 ± 3 mL/m²/h/mmHg), and albumin solute rejection (94.87 ± 0.5%) were also measured for GTP HFMs. Thus, these results clearly indicated that the synergistic effect of additives improved the biocompatibility and ultrafiltration in GTP HFMs. The developed GTP HFMs can potentially be used for simultaneous/sequential cells attachment and proliferation, and ultrafiltration applications such as the bioartificial kidney.