Development of biodegradable polyesterurethane membranes with different surface morphologies for the culture of osteoblasts

High Modulus Biodegradable Polyurethanes for Vascular Stents: Evaluation of Accelerated in vitro Degradation and Cell Viability of Degradation Products

We have recently reported the mechanical properties and hydrolytic degradation behavior of a series of NovoSorb™ biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs) prepared by varying the hard segment (HS) weight percentage from 60 to 100. In this study, the in vitro degradation behavior of these PUs with and without extracellular matrix (ECM) coating was investigated under accelerated hydrolytic degradation (phosphate buffer saline; PBS/70°C) conditions. The mass loss at different time intervals and the effect of aqueous degradation products on the viability and growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were examined. The results showed that PUs with HS 80% and below completely disintegrated leaving no visual polymer residue at 18 weeks and the degradation medium turned acidic due to the accumulation of products from the soft segment (SS) degradation. As expected the PU with the lowest HS was the fastest to degrade. The accumulated degradation products, when tested undiluted, showed viability of about 40% for HUVEC cells. However, the viability was over 80% when the solution was diluted to 50% and below. The growth of HUVEC cells is similar to but not identical to that observed with tissue culture polystyrene standard (TCPS). The results from this in vitro study suggested that the PUs in the series degraded primarily due to the SS degradation and the cell viability of the accumulated acidic degradation products showed poor viability to HUVEC cells when tested undiluted, however particles released to the degradation medium showed cell viability over 80%.

Electrospun biodegradable calcium containing poly(ester-urethane)urea: synthesis, fabrication, in vitro degradation, and biocompatibility evaluation

In this work an in vitro degradable poly(ester-urethane)urea (PEUU) was synthesized using polycaprolactone diol, hexamethylene diisocyanate, and calcium salt of p-aminobenzoic acid. The synthesized polymer was characterized by (1) H-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and viscosity studies. Scaffolds having random micro fibrous structures were fabricated from PEUU by electrospinning process. The thermal properties of the scaffold were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical property evaluation showed that the scaffold possess sufficiently high tensile strength of 16 MPa. The in vitro degradation studies of the electrospun scaffold were carried out in phosphate buffer saline for 6 months. The average mass loss of the scaffold after 6 months of hydrolytic degradation was 25%. FTIR spectroscopy study confirmed the degradation of the PEUU from decrease in intensity of 1400 cm(-1) peak corresponding to ionic carboxylate group. Presence of amine group and calcium ions in the degradation medium further confirmed the degradation of the hard segment in the hydrolytic medium. The mechanical property evaluation of the scaffold indicated a gradual decrease in tensile strength and modulus whereas percentage elongation of the scaffold increases with time of in vitro degradation. The morphological evaluation of the scaffold after degradation by SEM shows evidence of broken fibers and pores in the scaffold. Preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity test demonstrated that both the material and the degradation products were noncytotoxic in nature and the material showed good proliferation to L-929 cells.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy evaluation of an acellular dermis tissue transplant (Epiflex®)

The structure of a biological scaffold is a major determinant of its biological characteristics and its interaction with cells. An acellular dermis tissue transplant must undergo a series of processing steps, to remove cells and genetic material and provide the sterility required for surgical use. During manufacturing and sterilization the structure and composition of tissue transplants may change.

The composition of the human cell-free dermis transplant Epiflex® was investigated with specific attention paid to its structure, matrix composition, cellular content and biomechanics.

We demonstrated that after processing, the structure of Epiflex remains almost unchanged with an intact collagen network and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein composition providing natural cell interactions. Although the ready to use transplant does contain some cellular and DNA debris, the processing procedure results in a total destruction of cells and active DNA which is a requirement for an immunologically inert and biologically safe substrate. Its biomechanical parameters do not change significantly during the processing.

Significance of nano- and microtopography for cell-surface interactions in orthopaedic implants

Cell-surface interactions play a crucial role for biomaterial application in orthopaedics. It is evident that not only the chemical composition of solid substances influence cellular adherence, migration, proliferation and differentiation but also the surface topography of a biomaterial. The progressive application of nanostructured surfaces in medicine has gained increasing interest to improve the cytocompatibility and osteointegration of orthopaedic implants. Therefore, the understanding of cell-surface interactions is of major interest for these substances. In this review, we elucidate the principle mechanisms of nano- and microscale cell-surface interactions in vitro for different cell types onto typical orthopaedic biomaterials such as titanium (Ti), cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys, stainless steel (SS), as well as synthetic polymers (UHMWPE, XLPE, PEEK, PLLA). In addition, effects of nano- and microscaled particles and their significance in orthopaedics were reviewed. The significance for the cytocompatibility of nanobiomaterials is discussed critically.

Perspective on biomaterials used in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity

Morbid obesity is defined as having a body mass index greater than or equal to 40.0 kg m(-2), or 37.0 kg m(-2) with comorbidities. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Bariatric procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, vertical banded gastroplasty and adjustable gastric banding all generate excess body-weight loss typically over 3-5 years. The biomaterials used during these procedures, namely silicone, polypropylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and titanium, are all non-degradable biomaterials. Hence, their presence in vivo exceeds the functional requirement of an implant to treat morbid obesity. Accordingly, research into non-invasive and reversible surgical procedures has increased, particularly in light of the dramatic increase in paediatric obesity. Tissue engineering is an alternative approach to treat morbid obesity, as it incorporates both engineering and biological principles into the design and development of an implant to surgically treat morbid obesity. It is hypothesized that a biodegradable polymer to treat morbid obesity could be developed to effectively promote excess weight loss. The aim of this review is to discuss morbid obesity with regards to its aetiology, prevalence and current modalities of treatment. Specifically, the shortcomings of the biomaterials currently used to surgically treat morbid obesity shall be reviewed, and alternative biomaterials shall be proposed.

Characterization of a slowly degrading biodegradable polyesterurethane for tissue engineering scaffolds

The purpose of this research was to develop and characterize a novel, slowly degrading polyester-urethane. In this study, a polyester-urethane with a crystalline segment of poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid)-diol linked by a diisocyanate to an amorphous segment of poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolide)-diol was synthesized. Porous and nonporous scaffolds were processed using electrospinning and solvent casting respectively. The morphology, pore size, and filament diameter of the mesh and film were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal properties were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A degradation study was initiated to characterize the change in mechanical properties, molecular weight, and surface morphology over 12 months using tensile testing, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and SEM respectively. Concomitantly, cell morphology and viability on these variants were investigated using fibroblasts. The mechanical test data indicated a gradual decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and strain to break while the modulus of elasticity remained stable. GPC data suggested a slow decrease in the molecular weight while SEM examination revealed changed surface morphologies. The in vitro studies implied that the novel polyester-urethane was not cytotoxic and that the mesh was a more favorable scaffold towards cell viability. The summation of these results suggests that this polyester-urethane has the potential for tissue engineering applications.

Vascularization and tissue infiltration of a biodegradable polyurethane matrix

Urethanes are frequently used in biomedical applications because of their excellent biocompatibility. However, their use has been limited to bioresistant polyurethanes. The aim of this study was to develop a nontoxic biodegradable polyurethane and to test its potential for tissue compatibility. A matrix was synthesized with pentane diisocyanate (PDI) as a hard segment and sucrose as a hydroxyl group donor to obtain a microtextured spongy urethane matrix. The matrix was biodegradable in an aqueous solution at 37 degrees C in vitro as well as in vivo. The polymer was mechanically stable at body temperatures and exhibited a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 67 degrees C. The porosity of the polymer network was between 10 and 2000 microm, with the majority of pores between 100 and 300 microm in diameter. This porosity was found to be adequate to support the adherence and proliferation of bone-marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and chondrocytes in vitro. The degradation products of the polymer were nontoxic to cells in vitro. Subdermal implants of the PDI-sucrose matrix did not exhibit toxicity in vivo and did not induce an acute inflammatory response in the host. However, some foreign-body giant cells did accumulate around the polymer and in its pores, suggesting its degradation is facilitated by hydrolysis as well as by giant cells. More important, subdermal implants of the polymer allowed marked infiltration of vascular and connective tissue, suggesting the free flow of fluids and nutrients in the implants. Because of the flexibility of the mechanical strength that can be obtained in urethanes and because of the ease with which a porous microtexture can be achieved, this matrix may be useful in many tissue-engineering applications.

Viability, adhesion, and bone phenotype of osteoblast-like cells on polyelectrolyte multilayer films

The aim of this study was to develop new biocompatible coatings for bone implants by the alternating deposition of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. Polyelectrolyte films were built up with different terminating layers on which SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells and human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were grown. The terminating layer was made of one of the following polyelectrolytes: poly(ethylene imine) (PEI), poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA), or poly(L-lysine) (PLL). Cell adherence, viability, stability of osteoblast phenotype, and inflammatory response were studied. Adherence and viability were good on all terminating layers except the PEI-terminating layer, which was cytotoxic. Maintenance of osteoblast phenotype marker expression was observed on PSS- and PGA-terminating films for both cell types, whereas downregulation, associated with the induction of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion, was detected on PEI and PAH for both cell types and on PLL for PDL cells. These results suggested a good biocompatibility of PSS- and PGA-ending films for PDL cells and of PSS-, PGA-, and PLL-terminating films for SaOS-2 cells. As a result, polyelectrolyte multilayer films could emerge as new alternatives for implant coatings.