Synthesis and characterization of a Hyaluronan-polyethylene copolymer for biomedical applications

Hyaluronan (HA)-based biomaterials are of interest for bone and cartilage tissue engineering because HA plays an important role in orthopedic tissue development, function, and repair. The goal of this project was to develop a biomaterial that incorporated the constituents of both a hydrogel and a hydrophobic polymer for biomedical applications. A series of amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of HA, a glycosaminoglycan, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), that is, HA-co-HDPE, were fabricated. The chemical characteristics, physical and viscoelastic properties, and cytocompatibility of novel HA-co-HDPE materials were characterized via Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic shear testing, and an in vitro human osteoblast cell study. The esterification reaction between HA and functionalized HDPE resulted in semicrystalline, insoluble powder. The dynamic shear properties of HA-co-HDPE concentrated solutions were more like natural proteoglycans than the HA control. HA-co-HDPE was successfully compression molded into disks that swelled upon hydration. Osteoblasts were viable and expressed the osteoblast phenotype after 7 days of culture on HA-co-HDPE materials. These HA-co-HDPE materials may have several biomaterial applications in saline suspension or molded form, including orthopedic tissue repair.