Biocompatibility of poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) for lung tissue engineering

This study explores the possibility of growing lung cells on poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) scaffolds, with a view to in future engineer pulmonary tissue for human implantation. As a first step in this process, the ability of PDLLA to maintain the growth of lung epithelium is tested using a robust cell line. Poly-DL-lactic acid has been investigated in two forms, as planar discs and as 3-D foams, and it has been demonstrated that PDLLA is not only nontoxic to pneumocytes but it also actively supports their growth. The initial findings suggest that the material is an appropriate matrix for engineering of distal lung tissue.