Surface Chemistry of Vitamin: Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate (Vitamin B₆) as a Multifunctional Compound for Surface Functionalization

Vitamins are non-toxic compounds that perform a variety of biological functions and also available in a large quantity. Other than the usage as food supplements, few attempts have been made to use them as functional materials. In this study, we report that vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), is a multi-functional molecule for oxide surface chemistry. PLP-immobilized surfaces exhibit superhydrophilicity and even hemophilicity, enhancing proliferation, migration, and differentiation of mammalian cells. Unlike existing molecules used so far in surface modification, PLP has an intrinsic chemical reactivity toward biomacromolecules due to the presence of the aldehyde group. In fact, RGD peptide is covalently tethered onto PLP surfaces directly in one step without any chemical activation. Furthermore, PLP-functionalized implant device showed rapid bone healing. As vitamin B6 is a FDA approved molecule for human usage, the surface chemistry of vitamin B6 potentially allows a fast route for surface functionalized medical devices into clinic.