Consensus QSPR modelling for the prediction of cellular response and fibrinogen adsorption to the surface of polymeric biomaterials

In the current study, we have developed predictive quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models for cellular response (foetal rate lung fibroblast proliferation) and protein adsorption (fibrinogen adsorption (FA)) on the surface of tyrosine-derived biodegradable polymers designed for tissue engineering purpose using a dataset of 66 and 40 biodegradable polymers, respectively, employing two-dimensional molecular descriptors. Best four individual models have been selected for each of the endpoints. These models are developed using partial least squares regression with a unique combination of six and four descriptors for cellular response and protein adsorption, respectively. The generated models were strictly validated using internal and external metrics to determine the predictive ability and robustness of proposed models. Subsequently, the validated individual models for each response endpoints were used for the generation of ‘intelligent’ consensus models (http://teqip.jdvu.ac.in/QSAR_Tools/DTCLab/) to improve the quality of predictions for the external data set. These models may help in prediction of virtual polymer libraries for rational design/optimization for properties relevant to biomedical applications prior to their synthesis.