A COMPREHENSIVE MODEL OF MULTIPROTEIN ADSORPTION ON SURFACES

A mathematical model for protein adsorption from solution to surfaces was developed and a numerical solution was obtained. The model proposes a reaction-diffusion mechanism for multiple proteins, involving interactions between diffusive-convective protein transport from the bulk solution and competitive adsorption and displacement kinetics-on the surface. The resulting equations in time and space were solved numerically with a finite difference approach. Using a simulated dilute plasma solution consisting of albumin, immunoglobulin-gamma, and fibrinogen at their physiological proportions, the phenomenon of sequential protein adsorption and displacement on the surface(known as the Vroman effect), was shown. Explanations were obtained for several other phenomena observed by biomaterials researchers studying protein adsorption. The model also allows the study of how the modification of surface parameters can determine adsorption behavior. This study not only demonstrates the complexity of the adsorption process but also shows that it can be quantified by comprehensive models. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.