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Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization
Published on: August 20, 2013
In vivo tissue responses to thermal-responsive shape memory polymer nanocomposites
Tera M Filion1, Jianwen Xu, Manju L Prasad
1Department of Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
Biomaterials
|November 3, 2010
Summary
Biodegradable POSS-SMP nanocomposites show promise as minimally invasive tissue scaffolds. These materials exhibit controlled degradation and mild, resolvable inflammation, supporting tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Developing safe, minimally invasive tissue scaffolds is crucial for effective tissue repair.
- Thermal-responsive shape memory polymers (SMPs) offer potential for controlled delivery and integration.
- Biodegradable nanocomposites combining polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and SMPs (POSS-SMPs) were created.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the degradation profiles and immunogenicity of POSS-SMPs with varying poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) arm lengths.
- To assess the biocompatibility and long-term effects of POSS-SMPs in vivo.
- To determine the suitability of POSS-SMPs as tissue scaffolds for minimally invasive applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of star-branched POSS-SMP nanocomposites with degradable PLA arms.
- Subcutaneous implantation of POSS-SMPs in a rat model.
- In vitro and in vivo degradation studies.
- Histological analysis to assess immune response and tissue integration.
- Examination of vital organs for pathological abnormalities.
Main Results:
- POSS-SMPs demonstrated stable shape fixing and recovery at physiological temperatures.
- A mild foreign body immune response was observed upon implantation.
- Degradation rates correlated inversely with PLA arm length, both in vitro and in vivo.
- A transient, locally resolved inflammatory response occurred during in vivo degradation.
- No pathological abnormalities were found in vital organs after one year.
Conclusions:
- POSS-SMPs are minimally immunogenic and biodegradable, making them suitable for tissue scaffolds.
- The degradation rate can be tuned by adjusting PLA arm length for controlled scaffold resorption.
- These nanocomposites are promising for scaffold-assisted tissue repair requiring facile delivery and predictable degradation.
